There's Nothing There!
This picture book has easily clinched a spot as one of my favourite project so far. We're all guilty of overlooking the little things around us, like the jumble of wires on the telephone pole outside or the crow that's turned it into a cosy home. They're the unsung heroes that give our homes their unique charm. Download or purchase here.
We aimed to spark curiosity, encouraging young readers to observe, appreciate, and delve into the little wonders of their surroundings.
The book was made for the kids of a government school Tarabanahalli on the outskirts of Bangalore - a peri-urban space. Nature Classrooms generously gave me the time and resources I needed to do the research that would bring the book its authenticity.
I spent a few days looking around, speaking to people, and playing with kids. I looked quite mad. Its not common to find women walking around with no apparent purpose, clicking pictures of the most mundane things. I was asked more than once what purpose I had in a town you could scale on foot in ten minutes.
I was fortunate to team up with Roshni Ravi, a seasoned nature educator armed with an endless wealth of flora and fauna knowledge. With her experience teaching at Tarabanahalli, she gracefully guided me through the entire process. Together, we co-authored the captivating story that unfolds within the pages of this book.
Arali’s character (Aralimara in Kannada, meaning Peepal tree) was quite heavily inspired by some of the children I met at the school—the ribbons in their hair, their twinkling eyes, and cute button noses, each adorned with a tiny nose ring.
Crafting Amma’s character posed a unique challenge. We aimed to make her relatable, yet grappled with the decision of how closely to adhere to traditional gender norms and where to challenge them. For instance, a woman sitting alone, sipping chai at an Ashwath Katte (a significant peepal tree serving as a religious and community gathering spot) might seem unusual, but it really shouldn't be.
A major objective of this project was to discover the cultural identity my art carries. There’s a certain ‘Indianness’ I felt missing from a large portion of my previous work because the characters and settings lacked depth. There’s certainly more to being Indian than having brown skin. And this project was a gateway into exploring how our lived experiences as Indians translate visually. And how the character design changes when I’ve explored their world first hand.
Regrettably, other projects of mine were done sitting at a desk during the 2020 pandemic. I had to work with photographs, phone conversations, and my own memories. The story arcs were interesting, but the context that makes a story unique, was missing. This time, I’m truly glad to have been able to work with something more real.
The book was eventually sent to the school it was made for. Each kid received a copy and the teachers made the most of it as a classroom resource.
