Sahaj: Vernacular Furniture of Gujarat, co-authored by Mitraja Bais, Jay Thakkar, Samrudha Dixit and Ben Cartwright, was launched by Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, on 10th October, 2018, during the Navratri Dance Festival organised by Government of Gujarat. Sahaj is the result of Phase I: Gujarat of the Vernacular Furniture of North-West India project, a collaboration between Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University and the South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection Trust (SADACC), UK. Sahaj is published by the CEPT University Press, and supported by Gujarat Tourism and Government of Gujarat.

Sahaj embodies the essence of Gujarati culture through stories of vernacular furniture traditions of the state, and hence, the spirited cultural dance festival of Gujarat was a fitting occasion for its launch. The book launch ceremony took place in the presence of a sizeable audience, and eminent, national as well as international personalities: Hon’ble Chief Guest- Shri Nitinbhai Patel, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat, Guests of Honour- Shri Ganpatsinh Vasava, Minister of Tourism, Forest, Tribal Development, Women and Child Welfare, Gujarat; Shri Ishwarsinh Patel, Minister of State Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, Co-operation (Independent Charge), Transport, Gujarat; along with the presence of Smt. Bijalben Patel, Mayor, Ahmedabad; Shri Kiritbhai Solanki Member of Parliament, Ahmedabad; Shri Paresh Rawal, Member of Parliament, Ahmedabad; Shri Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited; and Mr. Justice R. Subhash Reddy, Chief Justice, Gujarat. Ambassadors of Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Poland, Bolivia and Nepal were also present at the event.