Kannadi Cupboard The Everday Gallery

Kannadi Cupboard began from Prasanna Venkatesh’s early interest in self-publishing that grew during undergraduate years and continued on a small scale after graduation, with the thought of someday starting a publishing house. Visits to venues in Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai, many of which felt domestic and comfortable like opening up a living room for an exhibition, offered a refreshing alternative to intimidating white-box galleries. Inspired by these experiences and encouraged by parents who had a vacant space, what started as a simple project for an event or community venue soon revealed its potential. Along with his sister, the founders set out to create a space resembling a living room, using a capsule wardrobe of objects to reinvent the setup each time. Over the last nine months, this approach has ensured that no two events look the same, while keeping the rent pocket-friendly so that anyone with the desire to create can put on a show or host an event. We’re in conversation with Prasanna Venkatesh about this space. 

The Everyday Gallery
The whole idea behind Kannadi Cupboard was rooted in this domestic, everyday quality. In many households, a kannadi (glass) cupboard is a familiar, functional object almost like a small domestic gallery in itself. That’s where the name Everyday Gallery comes from. Kannadi cupboards are everyday galleries and that’s exactly the feeling we wanted to bring into the space. I wanted the space to feel like something you see every day like a living room. It had more to do with the nature and feel of the space, rather than trying to replicate a typical gallery setting.
Usually, galleries are completely white, with multiple spotlights. We don’t have any of that. The space is completely naturally lit during the day, and in the evenings, we just use regular bulbs, the kind you’d find at home. These choices were intentional. I wanted the art, or whatever is being shown, to exist alongside life not be placed on a pedestal or under a spotlight.

Zine-Making Communities
I’ve always admired zine clubs held in other countries, so starting one here felt like the most natural choice. I try to keep it as simple as possible, just individuals, their stationery, and three quiet hours. Some people become friends and come back together next month. Others return just to make more zines. Either way, I’ve seen how the space makes people feel safe to put their thoughts on paper. We don’t filter or censor any of the submissions—every single zine gets uploaded to our page. And from what I’ve heard, that openness  creates a real sense of validation for the people who participate.

Projects and Collaborations
There isn’t just a single category of shows we’re looking to host. Since we’re still just getting started and scratching the surface, we’re trying to keep things as versatile as possible. So far, we’ve hosted a traditional artist, a photographer, and a promotional event for a book that included a scavenger hunt and a writing activity. In the coming months, we’re planning a self published book fair, focus group discussions around design and an anonymous show that explores the idea of identity without revealing the artist behind the work. Right now, we’re just open to collaborations, conversations, and anyone who has an idea they’d like to present in our space.

Tamil Design Sensibility
I grew up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, so it’s second nature to me. Honestly, I don’t have a big interesting story around that. It’s simply a reflection of what I’ve seen growing up. I’m trying to respond to, and reflect, what I’ve seen so far and what I’m seeing around me right now.

Photobook
Our photobook was the outcome of the launch show we did last year to open the space. It was a participatory exhibit that resulted in a collective photobook exploring the idea of glass cupboards in Indian households. We invited over 50 creative practitioners from different parts of India to contribute two things: an object they would place inside a glass cupboard, and an image of a glass cupboard from their own living room. The project eventually became an exploration of the interplay between individual and collective expression. The book also looks at the inherent polarity between the personal and the shared  and ultimately serves as a tangible representation of the very concept that defines the space.

A Self-Publishing Venture
Like I’ve mentioned before, self-publishing has been at the core of everything I’ve been doing over the past few years. After attending multiple events in other parts of the country and world, it was strange to not have one back home.
It’s a shame because people in Chennai truly love their books, yet only mainstream publishing seems to flourish, especially with government-run fairs happening annually. Self-publishing individuals and indie publishing houses are rarely included. With this initiative, we’re not just organizing a sales event; we’re also creating a space to discuss the future of self-publishing and to explore material from around the world.
I wanted the spotlight to be on self-publishing from different angles a place to discuss, to view, and finally, to purchase. And I strongly believe that cities with thriving self-publishing cultures tend to have more liberal mindsets. By doing all this, I hope we can build a better space for self-publishing in Chennai in the coming years.

The Future
 I’d love for everyone to visit the space, regardless of their background. Right now, the audience is mostly artists and designers, but I hope that over time we can co-create a nurturing environment with an inclusive community where people can make and view art side by side. Kannadi Cupboard becoming a household name would also be amazing so that when people are bored at home or don’t have big plans for the weekend, they think, ‘Let’s go to Kannadi Cupboard.’

Words Neeraja Srinivasan 
Date 9-9-2025