Diaries

Intense couple of months. I wasn't sure I'll survive the madness, but miraculously did.

the art of escaping storms with a teacup (and cake)

of train rides and rainy blues and a mis-fit playlist that strangely... fits.

the mandatory touristy-ness. In a place all about malls and modern architecture, being cheesy-touristy is almost as authentic as it gets.

my sizeable contribution to the Malaysian economy

Mountain-top, sunshine, music and paint on my fingers.

What more would a girl long for?

Last August, I received the unique opportunity to draw travel diaries in Calcutta – a city I had been longing to visit for a few years – to be used on promotional material for a prestigious event. I was commissioned by 100Watts Design Studio (who designed the event identity and graphics) and asked to cover two broad aspects in my drawings:

The surprises and charming nuances to be discovered in the city + A glimpse of the 9 different offsite walks/ events being organised for guests at the event. These would then be used on all print and web promotions of the event.

Could a traveller-illustrator ask for a more perfect opportunity than the prospect of a curated insight into a curiously dichotomous city so full of stories for the tuned-in eye! I expected to have a unique week as I packed my suitcase, but couldn't have imagined how very memorable it would really become.

A memorable walk around North Calcutta with Calcutta Walks' Iftekhar. Wholeheartedly recommended for anyone visiting Calcutta. No one knows and tells of the nuances of the city with more insight and affection!

Beautiful Bangla letters

Bookshop owner at College Street. Shy, but egged on by his wife to hold still for this sketch. Helpfully dug out old Satyajit Ray and fun Bengali comic books to my utter joy.

An earthen-cup of cha in a North Calcutta gali. Smoke. Dust. Ginger. Warmth.

Park Street secret. In taking the first three steps into the gate, you leave behind all noise, restlessness, sense of time and place.You don't exit, you emerge. Only to realise something within you has shifted. Oh, and those tombstone engravings...

In the neighbourhood, a very different kind of silence. Serenity and light. Suddenly, the heart leaps.

Layers and layers of stories amongst the galis and ruins of North Calcutta. Peeled and dusted away affectionately by Iftekhar.

...and how could there not be food... but that'll need a separate post of its own...

in which Calcutta welcomes the incorrigible glutton with blazing saucepans...

You can still 'smell' the ghost of erstwhile revolutions plotted/ political moves debated/ opinions passionately argued within the grimy old walls of The Indian Coffee House

while sitting at the living room window-ledge, looking out at the sun set behind Victoria Memorial (~and humming ekla-cholo re to myself. For some inexplicable reason)

I had to go on a sugar abstinence after this trip.

...even practiced my Bangla lettering with a reed pen dipped in cha!

Henna love~

an affirmation-remedy for sad lonely days: