Of People and Places

A Black and White illustration of the Qutub Minar When January 2020 opened up this brand new year ( well now it is much jaded around the edges. Let's move on to 2021 already!), I had no idea that my trip to Delhi would be one of my last in a mask-free world. I am a little dazed about where my year has gone - things have changed so fast that I often go over my photographs and sketchbooks just to remind myself that those were actual moments and not just my imagination - That the months didn't just jumble up and drag on while time moved deceptively fast. One of the highlights of that trip was a walk from Saket to a tall tower that called out from way over there in the distance - the Qutub Minar.  A pen and watercolor sketch of the Qutub Minar I was worried if I was on the right road, despite very clear instructions on how to go but it turns out I needn't have worried. The Qutub Minar is tall enough to be seen for miles and I only had to continue on the same road. I have seen t...

Tomb of Iltutmish, Qutub complex On a cold morning, wearing three layers of clothes I set out to the Qutub Minar by walk.  I was delighted that my friend's house was within walking distance. In the crisp morning, it was pleasant to be moving around in the sunshine. But the occasional gusts of wind can really get you! I walked past Indian guides speaking to tourists in fluent Korean, Mandarin and Spanish. Wearing masks and impeccably dressed, the tourists stood about with garlands of marigold and a spot of sindoor, given ceremoniously by the tour guide in that 'oh so Indian' way. And then it began. The onslaught of children as they filed in, in unruly queues, jumping, pushing, shoving, being shoved by their teachers and yelling at the top of their voices. School bus after school bus disgorged their young, eager passengers and wary school teachers. They gawked at the foreign tourists, cast shy glances at girls, ignored the Qutub Minar and proceeded to the innu...