I've just returned from a wonderful week in Bologna spent among gorgeous children's books filled with the most beautiful artwork!

It is always inspiring to be at the book fair and look at work from artists from different parts of the world. And this year was especially lovely for me. My closest friends from the course, Narisa Togo (Ting), Rosemary Shojaie, Yiting Lee and I all had our books at the fair at different places! I can't believe it has been so long since our first visit to the fair, when we were shy and new to the publishing world (although we still feel a bit shy all these years later).




Ting also had her work selected for the Illustrator's Exhibition and gave a lovely talk about her art process in the making of her beautiful book 'Magnificent Birds'. Our friends and fellow classmates Zack Rock and Harriet Muncaster had their books too, and Zack's work was also showcased in an exhibition in the city center, of art by European and American artists. It was really heartwarming to find work made by friends we studied with, almost like they were speaking to us from the picture!

The FTII students just completed 100 days of their protest; they also completed ten days of an indefinite fast. There is no answer from the Indian Government. The general non-artistic, non-intellectual, but well-to-do public looks on with indifference, mildly mixed with scorn and distaste.

Let us take a moment to see what is being acted out here.
A sophisticated and intelligent group of youngsters have concerns about the way their lives are being handled, and they use tools of communication to try to get our attention.
We disapprove and ask them to shut-up and do-what-they-are-told-to-do.
They continue to speak, and ask...
We don't have answers to their questions. And we don't try to find out.
They continue to speak, and ask... 
We have no response. So we ignore them.

A hundred days is too long for artists to stay away from the work they love. A strike is not a way of life. It must end, and a solution must be found.
They decide to fast. An indefinite fast. If art cannot move us, maybe lives at stake will?

By continuing to ignore this, what are we really doing?
We are saying, loud and clear, that they must not question. They can die, but they cannot question.

And the future generation of artists; what example are we setting for them? Will they show the same restraint? What tools will they choose to register their own dissent?

Because believe me, there are more out there. Young, innocent, some even yet unborn...
They are watching...



This was, and is, an attempt to register concerns using the noblest and most peaceful of methods. No destruction, no harm, no violence. Only words, and songs, and films, and paintings... and support from hundreds of artists, educators, students, parents... And then, as a last resort, the ultimate offering - own human life.

This was what the land of Satyagraha taught us. The idea of India will lie shattered if these democratic tools lose their value. My loyalties lie with the souls who fought for our freedom and gave me the right to write these very words, and I hope yours do too.

The strike is on.

A lovely little launch of ‘The Path of Later On’ at Auroville!










A beautiful, quiet venue, wonderful people, book signing and good conversations over snacks; what more does an illustrator need?






And here is my little niece, with the book at an Auroville bookshop!



 

 Last week I spent a rainy, quiet morning amidst beautiful books and smiling children.











It was at the launch of Raindrops at Kitabkhana, a bookstore in South Mumbai. It is a calm, quiet place, filled with books and a perfect venue for a small group of happy children (and adults) to come, read and play around.

It was great to visit the Bologna Book Fair this year, on its 50th anniversary. It is the world's largest book fair dedicated solely to children's books, which is what makes it so relevant to us.




















This was the second year our MA course had a stand at the fair. Happily, it was a success like last year. The stand website now has an updated gallery of our work. Can you spot mine? (hint: somewhere on page 3).








In the massive fair, our stand felt like home. The course has made sure we're part of a very warm and wonderful community! Heartfelt thanks to Martin and Pam and everyone on the stand committee.



Another pleasant little surprise was to see a dummy of the book I've been working on! More about that here.













I've returned inspired and ready to work, but not before we (Rosemary, Ting and I) had extended our stay a bit, and walked the streets of Venice and Rome, wandering and drawing.

Our MA show at the Foyles Art Gallery has just ended. It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end!

Also showing at ARU, Ruskin Gallery from the 29th of February to the 15th of March.