Notes from my visual diary - dated July 28th.
I chanced upon Lonely Planet’s July issue that covered the great cities of Barcelona, Chicago and Mumbai. The one that interested me the most was obviously Mumbai – the city that I had been in for just four days and one that I would be in for the next couple of months! The article titled ‘ The City Beneath’ was illustrated with watercolours and spoke of the silent beauty of the old Mumbai that still lurks around. The article explored alleys and villages, churches and cafes highlighting the subtle yet flamboyant architecture that the city had been witness to in its history. They say that Bombay is unique because it has been a host to a variety of other cultures and tastes – but what it gives is also what it keeps in return. A part of the Afghan church and the tiles of the Olympia café were all illustrated wonderfully. I was spellbound – it was almost as if the city had come alive in those few pages.
Now, taking it as an inspiration for my diploma project, the city of Mumbai has never felt so intriguing. With a list of itinerary for tomorrow, I aim to walk through the streets and discover an aspect of the city that has only come forth before, through the pages of a magazine.
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| A watercolour illustration from Lonely Planet's Greatest Cities : Mumbai Ranwar Village, Bandra, India. 2011 |