On World Heritage Day, the conversation around preservation often drifts toward monuments of stone, ancient temples, and grand palaces that have withstood the passage of time. Yet, heritage is not always immovable or eternal. Sometimes, it is fragile, intricate, fleeting and edible…much like the work of Prachi Dhabal Deb, who has chosen an unusual and deeply intricate medium to celebrate it. From her studio in Pune, she transforms sugar into stories, crafting creations that are as ephemeral as they are profound.

An internationally acclaimed Cultural and heritage artist, Prachi is widely regarded as India’s “Queen of Royal Icing,” a title that speaks not only to her technical mastery but also to her singular artistic voice. Royal icing, by its very nature, is unforgiving. It demands precision, patience, and an almost meditative stillness. Each line must be exact, each motif carefully placed. In Prachi’s hands, however, this delicate medium transcends its limitations, becoming something architectural, almost sculptural. Her cakes are not merely desserts, they are carefully constructed narratives, rich with cultural memory.