Charu is designed to reclaim planter chair through the lens of caste, gender, and evolving values. Historically, planter chairs are used by British white men as owners of plantation as they viewed hard labour of local people. Historically, this type of chair has been viewed more than just an object, it’s like a throne, an object of dominance and power. It is often associated with colonial elite. Charu is an attempt to reclaim back planter chair, a relic left behind along with a bundle of inherited ideals. This redesigned version still recalls the silhouette of the original while reimagining in case, shaped by local craftsmanship and fitted with a woven storage back. Its jutting limbs (once a symbol of masculine leisure) are spaced to mock manspreading, turning posture into protest. The intriguing design will start a conversation even before you sit.

Throughout history, this chair is reserved for patriarchs, a symbol of authority and caste hierarchies, even still used in Kerala shaped by unspoken rules. It is often portrayed as a seat of power and when women sit on it, it is considered as an act of defiance. The main goal of Charu Chair concept is to reclaim back Charu Kasera from caste and gender bias through a standalone accent chair designed for transitional space such as patios or verandas.

Harry Noble M, the designer, explains that the unique form evokes familiarity at first glance, yet it delivers a sense of welcoming while staying rooted in its shared heritage. This chair wants you to imagine a world without colonialism through the use of local materials and inclusive design, inviting you to sit and relax.

Charu Chair has been designed based on pre-existing chair design, posture clusters are mapped and experimented with low fidelity changes to improve comfort. After several tests, it was discovered that ergonomic mid-thoracic region design can reduce the need for support behind our shoulders, thus, giving greater freedom of movement and minimizing fatigue. The seat inclination features a gentle downward slope from the knees to the buttocks, enhancing comfort and posture. The armrests are angled and positioned to avoid shoulder strain, neither lifting nor letting them droop.