Naresh Subramaniam reminded us that true creativity lies in presence of mind: in slowing down to notice, reflect, and create with intention.
At the CreativeMornings Chennai chapter, Naresh Subramaniam delivered an insightful talk centered on the month’s global theme: “Soft.” Through his narrative, he invited the audience to explore how presence of mind, sensitivity, and slowness are not weaknesses but essential creative strengths in today’s hurried world. Drawing from his multidisciplinary experience in design, craft, and education, Naresh illustrated how the ability to slow down allows one to truly observe: materials, people, and processes: rather than rushing to outcomes. He reflected on the craftsmanship traditions of India, where every action is deliberate and thoughtful, guided by rhythm and awareness rather than haste. In this spirit, he encouraged creators to see “softness” not as fragility but as a deeper kind of strength: one that enables empathy, adaptability, and connection. Naresh spoke about how being “soft” helps designers and thinkers hold space for uncertainty and dialogue. It is this sensitivity, he said, that nurtures innovation and human connection. Through examples from his work with communities and students, he demonstrated how the presence of mind transforms not just the process of making, but the maker themselves: turning creativity into an act of mindfulness. He also touched upon the tension between industrial speed and human pace, urging professionals to find a balance where efficiency does not overpower emotion. True progress, he suggested, is not in acceleration but in alignment: between mind, hand, and heart. The talk closed on a meditative note: that slowing down is not about doing less, but about being more present: to one’s thoughts, collaborators, and surroundings. Through this, Naresh Subramaniam offered a gentle yet profound reminder: in a world that celebrates hardness and haste, staying soft is a radical, creative act.
About the speaker
Naresh Ramasubramaniam is a textile technologist who has spent over three decades exploring the meeting point between industry, craft, and education.
He began his career installing spinning machinery in India’s textile mills, where his hands-on work shaped his belief that real understanding begins by making things. That curiosity gradually led him from factory floors to handlooms, drawn by the intelligence of simple tools and the deep connection between material, process, and thought.
At Shuttles & Needles, the studio he founded to make weaving accessible to all who are curious, Naresh works to bring weaving and spinning into contemporary life, not as nostalgia but as a practice of thinking through the hands. The studio connects modern design sensibilities with traditional craft disciplines, working with hobbyists, professionals, and design institutes alike.
He has helped people from diverse fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and technology discover weaving as a mindful and creative pursuit. His work also extends to schools and NGOs, where weaving becomes a tool for learning, focus, and self-discovery.
Naresh believes coding and weaving belong in the same classroom: one builds logic, the other builds attention and problem-solving.
When not in the studio, he is likely listening to Carnatic music or refining his espresso making skills.
Favorite quotes from this talk
Hosted by
Shuttles & Needles
10/16, 4th Ave, Indira Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020
Chennai, Tamil Nadu India 600020
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