TVS Motor Company held a private event in Bengaluru on Saturday, unveiling three custom-built versions of its TVS X electric scooter. Each piece was developed in collaboration with fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla and auctioned to collectors, with proceeds directed to A Hundred Hands, a non-profit that supports artisan communities across Karnataka. The evening drew collectors, designers, and craft practitioners, and was framed by the company as a cultural initiative rather than a conventional product showcase.
The event, titled the TVS X Collectors' Soirée, marks the first in a planned series of such gatherings. According to the company, the initiative is intended to use the TVS X as a recurring platform for engaging with regional art and cultural heritage across different parts of India, with Karnataka serving as the opening chapter.
The three custom scooters each draw on distinct aspects of Karnataka's history and craft traditions. Design references include the ruins of Hampi — the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the lacquerware and wooden toy traditions of Channapatna, a craft town roughly 60 kilometres from Bengaluru, and the architecture and aesthetics associated with the royal court of Mysuru. Khosla interpreted these references through a contemporary design lens, producing what the company described as collectible pieces intended to bridge regional identity with current aesthetics and engineering. In addition to the scooters, Khosla also developed bespoke merchandise for event attendees.
Khosla, who is based in Bengaluru and has shown work at major national and international fashion weeks, spoke to his approach at the event. "Design here was integral from the start, transforming the TVS X into a moving canvas that brings together material, form, and narrative," he said.
Gaurav Gupta, President of India Two Wheeler Business at TVS Motor Company, described the soirée as the start of a broader programme. "Progress without culture is incomplete. With TVS X, we're bringing Indian art and architectural heritage into a contemporary form, and the first chapter in Karnataka marks the start of a larger journey across India," he said. "We're using TVS X as a canvas to reinterpret India's art and cultural heritage, where ownership becomes participation in sustaining it."
Mala Dhawan, founder of A Hundred Hands, also attended and addressed the gathering. Her organisation works with craft communities across Karnataka, focusing on market access, fair compensation, and the preservation of traditional skills. Dhawan noted that the initiative goes beyond ownership, arguing that it creates meaningful connections between craftsmanship and audiences who can sustain it. "This initiative goes beyond ownership, supporting artisans by creating meaningful value and connecting craftsmanship with the right audience," she said. The auction proceeds from the evening were directed to the organisation.
The TVS X is TVS Motor Company's premium electric scooter, positioned at the higher end of India's growing electric two-wheeler market. The company launched the model as part of its broader push into electric vehicles, and Bengaluru — where much of its EV development and operations are based — was chosen as the natural starting point for the cultural programme. Karnataka's architectural legacy, spanning Hoysala temples, Vijayanagara ruins, and the Mysuru palace complex, gave the first edition of the event a wide range of visual and historical material to draw from.
The TVS X Collectors' Soirée sits within a wider trend of automotive and mobility brands associating their products with art, design, and cultural programming. Rather than competing primarily on technical specifications, some manufacturers have begun positioning vehicles as objects of design interest or cultural expression — a strategy that also helps build a distinct buyer community around the product. For TVS Motor Company, the event signals an intent to develop that dimension of the TVS X's identity alongside its engineering credentials.
The company has indicated that similar events will follow in other parts of the country, each drawing on the cultural and artistic heritage of a different region.