Ambika Sambasivan's Blog
February 26, 2016
A Puzzling Tour of India
[image error] 2016 marks the launch of a puzzle and activity book that I have worked on for a good six months or so. Each puzzle showcases a unique facet of Incredible India – its people, monuments, places, flora, and fauna. From the back cover – Take a bewildering trip through India that will have you winding your way through Assam’s tea estates, putting together a snake boat race in Kerala, and hunting for antiques at Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar. Just don’t get lost along the way! An activity book for ages 6+, packed with mazes, hidden objects, and visual conundrums. More details can be found on the publisher, Yali Books’ site.
Here are some of the puzzles!
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May 15, 2015
Purani Dilli – A Postcard from India
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The chaotic wonder that is Purani Dilli or Old Delhi, with stunning Mughal-era monuments, spice markets, haphazard settlements, bands of feral monkeys and gol gappas. Lots of gol gappas.
April 22, 2015
Masala Mix
Ah…spices! South Asian food is the magical result of blending herbs and spices to create heady aromas and deep rich flavors. There are no exact measurements, just a pinch of this and a handful of that, and over time, good cooks learn to use their nose to guide their hands. In fact, a fine sense of smell is crucial, many cooks do not taste their food before ‘offering’ it to their favorite deity. My ‘nose’ is still developing and being more visual, I have always wanted a ‘spice cheat-sheet’. With this print hanging in my kitchen, I think I am ready to tackle a biryani!
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April 10, 2015
Sadhus at Kumbh Mela – A Postcard from India
The gathering of devotees at the Kumbh Mela every four years is a spectacle unlike any other on this planet. (If you have never seen it, search for images right now!) To be completely honest, I don’t think I will ever make it there – the prospect of a stampede of sadhus frightens me. I am fascinated though, by the sheer variety of people who attend, each one uniquely attired (or not) and decorated with a spectrum of religious symbols. An afternoon of Google travel and a set of ink pens brought out the caricaturist in me. My favorite sadhu is in the second row, fourth from the left. Which one is yours?
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March 14, 2015
Chai Break – A Postcard From India
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Highway eateries or dhaabas are quintessentially desi – they represent a welcome oasis along long, dusty highways and provide some of the best food to be had. Seen here is a lorry driver taking a much-needed chai break and probably waiting for a plateful of hot paranthas and spicy pickle. Prints at Society6.
March 13, 2015
Waiting for the Maharajah – A Postcard from India
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Ever wondered how long a Maharajah must take to get ready in the morning? Just ask his impatient ride!
Ink and paper collage – Prints at Society6.
March 4, 2015
October 2, 2014
Gupshup – A Postcard From India
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A tribute to Norman Rockwell’s “The Gossips” from 1948. I have always loved this illustration of Rockwell’s, the expressions and details are fascinating. Over the years, I have made a number of little faces for picture books – Bye, Bye, Motabhai! and its upcoming sequel, for example. I have been collecting them in a little tin box. The other day, the faces tumbled out of the box and voila! – this collage came together on its own! ‘Gupshup’ is the Hindi word for gossip and in India, gupshup is almost an official media channel:)
I used paper collage and ink outlines to create the elements and assembled them on Photoshop CS.
July 3, 2014
Goa – A Postcard From India
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Goa, lovely Goa! This tiny state in India is one of the more liberal, laid-back places in the country. It is also serene, picturesque and possibly one of the best places for a holiday in the region. The beautiful church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception forms the backdrop to this early morning fishing expedition. Making weird and wonderful fish in the ocean was possibly the most fun I have had with paper in a long time!
I used paper collage and ink outlines to create the elements and assembled them on Photoshop CS.
March 25, 2014
Traffic Jam – A Postcard from India
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Anyone who has lived or visited India will recognize this scene! Traffic jams or gridlocks in India are so dense that they appear to defy the laws of physics, yet somehow they untangle and life goes on.
I used paper collage and ink outlines to create the elements and assembled them on Photoshop CS.
