Destined to design

Landscape designer P Jagan Mohan is one of the rare ones who possess the talent, luck and grit to transform their passion into their profession.

You are bound to experience a sense of displacement the minute you step into his studio. One moment you are wading your way through the hustle-bustle of mainstream Jubilee Hills and the next, you are in an oasis. With lush green plants against splashes of white, twittering of birds, sound of serenading waterfalls, Green Scene exudes the feel of a tropical rain forest.

So it’s no surprise that Green Scene, founded in 1998, is today an award winning firm with several IIID Awards including, awards for the best workspace and office interiors. But for P Jagan Mohan, the man behind Green Scene, the awards and recognition are all a second thought. For him design is about passion. “Design fascinates me. I believe it has the power to influence the psyche. I don’t see design as landscape, architecture or interiors. I see design everywhere and in everything,” says the self-taught designer.

Having born and brought up in Hyderabad, Jagan originally trained to be a commercial pilot and then ran a restaurant for a few years before realising his passion. “I guess destiny had a different plan for me. A career in design was not entirely planned. But I was always fascinated by nature and knew I would end up doing something related to that. After a few twists and turns, I realised that design was my true calling. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” says Jagan.

Never one to stick his comfort zone, Jagan believes in pushing the envelope and constantly challenging himself. “If I see something I want to do, I will do it. The more challenging, the better. I think everyone should write their own story. Knowing what you want is the most important thing,” he says emphatically.

Work or play, Jagan truly believes in carpediem. But when he’s not busy at working, helping people transform their spaces, he is either socialising, travelling or spending his time with his wife Aruna and their two little children, Sumit and Sahiti. “I believe in pursuing my dreams and living life to the fullest,” he says.

In the near future he intends to author a book on design and take Green Scene to all the big cities across the country. “It’s about leaving my legacy in whatever small way I can,” he says.

In good times and bad

Aruna and Jagan’s was a love marriage with a twist. “My parents met his parents and they all fell in love. So they got us married,” says Aruna, laughing. Having been married for over 15 years now, no one perhaps knows Jagan better than his wife Aruna. If she had to describe him in a few words, she says she would go with “passionate, enthusiastic, energetic and creative.” She adds,“Many people think he’s reserved but he’s actually very warm and friendly.”

The couple though had their shares of ups and downs. Aruna explains, “We have had our share of problems. Initially, I was very apprehensive about Jagan’s decision to get into landscaping, since that was such a niche field back then, but eventually I understood that was his calling. I believed in him and wanted him to follow his dreams.”

Aruna’s trust in Jagan definitely paid off. “When we walked on the stage to have Jagan receive his national award for design, that was the best moment of my life,”gushes the mother-of-two.

I Believe In

Living a purpose driven life

Innovating constantly

Never losing the child in you.

Category: Profiles