Jama Masjid in Nainital

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As the morning unfolds, the Jama Masjid looks gorgeous. Close to the Nainital lake, it sits there glinting in the winter sun, framed by the mountains that surround Nainital. I have spent the morning loitering around the lake and sit down to sketch. In the pleasant sunlight, two boys are flying a kite. In the Flatts ( where there is a playground), NCC cadets are practicing. The sky is clear and bright. What more can one want.





Slowly the boys with the kite come closer, curious to see what I am drawing.One of the boys wants to see it. I tell him, it isn't finished yet, and promise to show it once it is done. Finally when I do show him, full of disclaimers, saying that the perspective is wrong, that it looks quite wonky and not quite like the Masjid, he nods sagely and says, " Koyi nahi didi. Agar aap hamare school ke drawing competition mein bhaag leti to aapko first prize milta.* " Kids can be really kind, sometimes.

(* It's ok, didi. If you had taken part in our school's drawing competition, you would definitely get first prize.)






The original sketch that I showed the boys ( Cringe-worthy, but here it is.) 



Location: Tallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002, India

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