Sketch of monkeys in a mountain forest

Kashmiri Samovar Sketch

Samovars are ornate, metal tea kettles that were first designed in 18th century Russia. They’re often used as decorations in Russian, Iranian, Turkish, and Kashmiri cultures; but they also make delicious tea. Specifically,  Kashmiri samovars can make a heart-warming cup of kahva, which is technically a green tea, but it has such dominant flavors from saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, and…

Mountains, Forest, Peace, and a Sketch

An afternoon spent with a notebook, pen, and view of mountains and forest can only end in a sketch. And also in peace. Sketching in nature, among the whispering pines and still blue mountains, is like a form of meditation. In these moments, I’m constantly learning, reflecting, and wondering about the Universe, the brain, life, philosophy, society, etc….

Sketch of Poznan, Poland

Here is a glimpse of my Tuesday night of last week: 

Shikara Sketch

Gondolas are to Venice as shikaras (not “Shakira”) are to Kashmir. I just finished reading the Gondola Maker about a young boy from a gondolier family in Renaissance Venice, a book inundated with charming details about the gondola-making process. Learning so much about Venice’s glorified boats made me reminiscence about shikaras, the exclusively Kashmiri boats that wade through our own Dal…

Teleportation through Sketching

There are many possible motivations for sketching: an obvious one is to remember the physical appearance of an object or scene; another is to represent a concept or feeling by illustration; yet another is to feel indefatigably rich as the limit of possible designs you can create is imagination itself. The list can go on, but I want…

Essences of Barcelona

Here is a collection of simple scenes in the Catalonian capital of Barcelona, which I captured this summer. Most pictures are of the architecture. I put them here in the hope that you can understand the architectural style of the city, which is truly unique and diverse. Gerard Piqué representing Barça These pictures are of the…

Sketch of Palais du Luxembourg

I recall a summer night in Paris. Specifically, a night in late July, when the sun generously provides its light even at 9:30 pm. I am in the gardens of Luxembourg: I feel a breeze of coolness while the night’s sun warms my skin. I feel tiny pebbles becoming displaced with each of my steps. I feel…

Sketch of Cobblestone

Which city has your favorite cobblestone? This particular sketch was inspired from Rome, which I visited this summer. Although mine was a quick rendition, here is exactly how the Ancient Romans pulled it off:

Architectural Glimpses of Europe, Part 1

Here is a handful of pictures I took when traveling in Europe (specifically, in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Antwerp, Venice, Florence, and a few other cities.) To give a theme to this post, I chose the pictures with the most inspiring architectural design. Even the rain can’t kill the vibe of Paris. A pretty typical street corner in…

Sketch of Istanbul

This is the first sketch I’ve done of a non-European city. But I’m not sure if that’s fair to say since Istanbul is perhaps half-European. Either way, it was a very different type of sketch. For “classically neat and proper” cities like Amsterdam and Paris, it’s easy to know what specifically confers the beauty of…

Gulmarg Kashmir: “Meadow of Flowers”

Gulmarg, the “Meadow of Flowers,” is the poster child of Kashmir’s tourist attractions (even for locals.) To reach this mountainous meadow, one must follow the raw road out from Srinagar city through otherworldly villages on a road lined by poplars and richly colored mustard and rice fields. For some road trips, you need to bring the…