What does IhsanIshan mean?

Ihsan translates to “do beautiful things" in Arabic.
According to the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet, peace & blessings upon his name),
Ihsan means to worship God as if you saw Him, for even if you cannot see Him, He can see you.

Ihsan is the perfectly sincere worship of God, when knowledge and will have completely merged with the Divine.  Ihsan is primarily associated with intention and to approach and carry out everything in the most beautiful way possible. It is generally believed that a person can only achieve true Ihsan with the guidance of God, who governs all things.

Ishan means "omnipresent or omnipotent" in Sanskrit.  Ishan has its roots in the word "ish,” which means “the invisible power that governs the universe.” Several words in Sanskrit contain “ish” including “Ishwar” (referring to the third eye of Lord Shiva) and “Ishaan” (translates to a master or ruler)

AWARD WINNING DESIGNER. GALLERY ARTIST. FASHION. MUSEUMS. CALLIGRAPHER. MUSICIAN. DANCER. SPIRITUAL ADVISOR.

IhsanIshan Design

is an award-winning brand/design studio inspiring peace, understanding, change, by bringing the world together through timeless, distinctive, unique designs. Founded by acclaimed designer Sangeetha Kowsik, IhsanIshan produces one-of-a-kind, unisex textiles, art prints, accessories, and custom commissions (in a variety of languages) inspired by the art of traditional Arabic Calligraphy, global iconography, all with a modern luxe flair.

Sangeetha is the ONLY person in the world like this: a Hindu Indian American woman who is an Arabic Calligrapher. She is a Parsons School of Design graduate with a degree in Arabic Calligraphy from NYU and former Head Designer for The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the first Asian, Indian, Woman to lead a design team in the Museum’s 150-year history).

Drawing from her passion for global travel and diverse cultures, Sangeetha’s extensive background spans numerous industries including fashion, beauty, streetwear, museums, and luxury. She has created breathtaking designs for esteemed brands such as Ralph Lauren, The Asia Society, Estée Lauder, JLO, Tiffany & Co, and many more. These experiences guide the creative direction of IhsanIshan Design.

Sangeetha serves as the Hindu Chaplain of NYU, recognized as Chaplain of the Year by Chelsea Clinton for her impactful interfaith initiatives. As a founding member of the North American Hindu Chaplains Association, she actively engages in various interfaith initiatives worldwide.

Through IhsanIshan Design, Sangeetha seeks to educate the world about the richness of ancient traditions and cultures, promote interconnectedness, and inspire positive change, peace, and understanding.

Ihsan Ishan Logo

The crescent moon is significant in both Islam and Hinduism.

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva (The lord of dance) is depicted with it in his hair.

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance from South India and the first form of dance I learned. These dancers wear a crescent moon in their hair along with a sun ornament.

The crescent is also represented in the shape of nose rings South Indian temple goddesses are adorned with. The shape appears again in the fanned out portion of their Saris (traditional Indian garments.)

I chose purple in reference to the color of the sunset (significant in Islam) and because it is associated with Lord Shiva and the cosmos.

This particular shade was influenced by the rich luxe lipstick shades I worked with in the fashion industry.

I wanted the logo to feel ornamental, like a piece of jewelry. "Ihsan" is written on the right, "Ishan" is written on the left in stylized Kufic script.

Why?

IhsanIshan Design was launched in 2019 during the holy month of Ramadan, alongside the groundbreaking art exhibition “Allah Swami” which celebrates the shared traditions of Hinduism and Islam told through the art of Arabic Calligraphy. This exhibit continues to hang by the Mosque at NYU to remind us that we share more than we differ especially when it comes to our classical music traditions.
The brand continues to evolve taking inspiration from various global cultures, celebrating what connects us!

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