Mine

Moments documented on a trip to Mangalore. That dog was incredible.

Prashant Miranda

A couple of months ago, Channel V decided to unveil the face of emerging India. To investigate it's problems , it's pulse and it's possibilities ; they handpicked 6 avid bloggers to carry out a dialogue that spanned the country. These 6 scoured India, visiting it's various cities documenting their journey on a show called My India Report. I didn't really catch as much of it as I'd have liked to but I did catch enough to lead me to this marvelous character - Prashant Miranda.

This man truly lives his life as if it were art. Shuttling between Canada and India, he chronicles his everyday mundanities with such beauty. His words read like poetry and his images embody perfectly India's essence. If you want to know what I'm going on about, see for yourself - Prashant Miranda

Happily Unmarried

The boys at Happily Unmarried seem to be having just a little too much fun making a living. Based out of Delhi, Happily Unmarried creates a range of 'singledom' themed lifestyle products that are desi at heart with a cheeky twist. Although most products revolve around "recreational drinking" , I'll give them this- I'd have never thought of putting a zipper in a coconut & purely for that they get full marks for fun.

1. Sandaas Ashtray 2. Unreal Nariyal (coconut)

3. Lassi da Glass 4. Fridge Magnets




They retail at 47 stores across the country. Check out their website for more madness .

Dipali Bhattacharya

I first saw her paintings at a gallery that I do some freelance work for and I was really drawn to the subtle depth of them. Dipali Bhattacharya, a Calcutta/kolkata based artist creates beautiful visual poetry with her paintings. Her carefully constructed paintings often feature detailed portraitures of stoic women framed in convention. Surrounded by the monotony of an old city , there are gradual signs of progression and change. One wonders , what the deal is with all the flying birds - metaphor for freedom, independence? Probably. Thats the beauty of art, it can mean almost anything you want it to.

I don't know if its the kolkata connection, but her paintings remind me of the posters for The Namesake.

Diya Shankardass

Textile designer Diya Shankardass has been in the business for 10 years. This NID alumna is currently based in McLean,VA. Her design is meticulous and gorgeous. Love the earthy green/brown tones and intricate patterns. This collection, Summer Medley can be viewed in all it's splendour here . I can't wait to see more, maybe next time it will be blues & greens ;)

Kurien Kalarickal

I have the pleasure of personally knowing this young lad from Singapore. He is certainly a force to reckon with, there really isn't a lot he can't do.Photographer/Artist/Maverick Kurien is a self-taught shutterbug . His potraits have always been my favourites. Stark, compelling and sometimes very cheeky - they're just full of charisma and character.

There's more where that came from. Check out Kurien at his blog In the eyes of the beholder.

Chandan Crasta

I stumbled across Chandan Crasta's blog Urban Soliloquy , when I was looking for something else.I'd like to think of it as a serendipitous moment because it so happens that he is a designer and illustrator who does most of his work on book covers. Now I'm one of those design geeks who actually goes to book stores so I can check out whats new & pretty in the land of book sleeves. So you can understand why I love Crasta's work , it's simple, effective and absolute cover candy.

For instance :

You may recognise these :

Illustrations :

Check out Chandan Crasta's blogs here & here.