Mala (hot and numbing taste), captures the very soul of Szechuan cuisine—the chili, with its slow, sonorous heat, is embodied in the sculpture’s bright, fiery red patinated pigment.

‘Ananas’ celebrates the pineapple, long regarded as a symbol of hospitality in many cultures around the world, thanks to its exotic beauty, rarity, and high demand.

In a similar vein, the Ananas collection was created. Through her art, Kumari has explored the idea of hospitality and comfort, focusing particularly on the skin and form of the pineapple, which is covered in ‘eyes’ on all sides. The pineapple’s textured surface exudes a sense of protection and security, contributing to feelings of home and welcome.

The 30 magnified saga seeds embarked on a long voyage before reaching the shores of Bintan, Indonesia, where they now reside at The Sanchaya. The waves of emotion, the ebb and flow of the tides, and the encouragement of the wind took them across twenty different seas and oceans, navigating from Asia to Europe and then back to Asia again, before reaching their final space at the heart of The Sanchaya. The seeds emanating energy serve as a reminder of the beauty of nature. The seed, an embryonic plant enclosed in its protective outer covering, is waiting to burst with energy. Once settled, the quest to take root becomes primordial to growth, and strength, and pushing forth a path to the future. The life of a saga seed echoes that of the potential of a human soul, endeavouring to exist in this world of ours.

The Tango depicts two bodies expressively and sensually dancing together in a closed position. The bronze pepper sculptures dance with a seemingly austere elegance—exuding exuberance, untapped potential energy, and a playfulness that celebrates the joy of being oneself.

Arousing and stimulating, the performance of the chilies is cathartic, pulsating with an explosive intensity. Accentuated by the chili’s signature red hue, Tango evokes the physical, the earthly, and the bodily.

Kumari Nahappan’s bronze sculpture Talktime reflects on connection, culture, and conversation through two interwoven forms. Inspired by food and tradition, it has travelled from Venice to the Philippines, sparking dialogue across generations. Built to endure, Talktime is both a timeless artwork and a lasting invitation to engage.

You and Me is a celebration of connection and contrast, capturing the complex dance of relationships. Two chillies, conjoined yet distinct, are entwined in a vibrant tableau of tension and harmony. Their curling tendrils act as lifelines—energetic, expressive, and dynamic—symbolising the bonds that tether us. The vines surge and weave, suggesting an intense exchange of vitality. Like people, the chillies reflect a range of personalities—flamboyant, reserved, playful, or poised. Locked in a poetic pas de deux—or perhaps a duel—they embody the emotional push and pull of intimacy, evoking the fragility and resilience of human connection.