Collection: Drawings

In this charcoal self-portrait, I revisited the innocent joy of childhood—particularly the fascination with making and playing with paper butterflies. With a fun, exaggerated expression and a sense of animated movement, the portrait celebrates those carefree moments when creativity and curiosity guided our world. The butterflies, though made of paper, are given a sense of motion and life, representing imagination in flight. The surrounding floral textures and swirling strokes add to the dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the lines between memory and fantasy. This piece stands as a tribute to the inner child in all of us—the one who still finds magic in the simplest things.

This is my self-portrait based on a theme I’ve worked on before—childhood play with origami. In my earlier two paintings, I explored joy and expression through paper crafts. In this portrait, I brought both ideas together but added a new emotion: the feeling of being stuck. The smile is playful, but the strings wrapped around the hands show a deeper meaning. Sometimes, even happy memories or creativity can hold us back or trap us. The origami birds and flowers still bring beauty and imagination, but now they are tangled in threads, just like thoughts or emotions.

Zodiac Series - Leo

Zodiac Series - Cancer

Zodiac Series - Libra

Zodiac Series - Aries

Zodiac Series - Virgo

In this portrait, I become both the child and the storyteller. The flying paper airplanes recall the carefree games of youth—moments of delight when we believed the world was ours to shape, fold, and let fly. But beneath the smile lies a flicker of unease—the way we sometimes laughed while not knowing what would happen next. This dual expression represents those fragile emotions that rise even in moments of play: the joy of creating, and the quiet fear of imperfection or loss. Through paper, motion, and face, this image becomes a mirror of how we often feel—light-hearted and brave, yet uncertain.

The painting explores the hidden beast within the human mind. Multiple faces and intense expressions represent anger, frustration, fear, and conflicting emotions that we often conceal beneath a calm exterior. The work reflects the struggle between self-control and the darker impulses within us.

This artwork presents Ravana as a symbol of the complex human mind. His ten faces represent different emotions, desires, thoughts, and inner conflicts that exist within every individual. The meditative central figure contrasts with the intense expressions surrounding him, suggesting the constant struggle between self-control and the many voices of the mind. The face beneath further reflects the darker, uncontrolled side of human nature.

In this self-portrait, I chose to explore the theme of childhood joy and imagination through the lens of origami and expression. The folded paper cranes, a symbol of peace and creativity, swirl around the figure—representing the energy and wonder of a child lost in play. The expression is intentionally exaggerated and fun, echoing the uninhibited delight of making something with your own hands. Rendered in monochrome, the piece uses texture and light to draw attention to the emotional core: the joy of making, the innocence of youth, and the creative spark that still lives within us. This artwork is a celebration of art as play, and a personal reminder to never let go of that inner child.

Zodiac Series - Saggitarrius

This portrait is a tribute to the celebrated poet, lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar, whose words have inspired generations through literature, cinema and social thought. Unlike a conventional portrait, this artwork explores the relationship between language and imagination by merging the discipline of ballpoint pen realism with the spontaneity of watercolor-inspired abstraction. The carefully rendered figure emerges from a vibrant field of flowing colours, splashes and organic forms that symbolise ideas taking shape before they become poetry. The contrast between the controlled precision of the portrait and the freedom of the surrounding washes reflects the creative process itself, where structure meets emotion and thought transforms into expression. Executed entirely with ballpoint pen, the artwork challenges the perceived limitations of the medium while creating the visual illusion of watercolor. This fusion mirrors Javed Akhtar's own ability to blend simplicity with profound meaning, where every word carries emotion beyond its literal form. Where Words Become Colours is a celebration of creativity, imagination and the enduring power of art and literature to give colour to human experience.

In every gallery, there are two kinds of masterpieces, the artworks displayed on the walls and the people who stand before them, quietly interpreting their meaning. This ballpoint pen artwork captures that intimate relationship by portraying a lone visitor immersed in contemplation, hands folded behind his back, completely absorbed in the silent conversation between himself and the paintings. Rendered entirely in blue ballpoint pen, the composition transforms an ordinary gallery visit into a meditation on observation itself. The viewer studies the artwork, while unknowingly becoming part of another artist's composition. This layered perspective blurs the boundary between artist, artwork and audience, reminding us that every act of looking is also an act of participation. The restrained posture, minimal surroundings and careful realism create a sense of stillness, allowing the viewer to pause and reflect. The piece celebrates curiosity, patience and the quiet moments in which art speaks without words. Ultimately, The Silent Observer suggests that the true value of art lies not only in what hangs on the wall, but in the thoughts, emotions, and personal reflections it awakens within those who stand before it.

Through My Eyes is a hyper-realistic self-portrait created entirely with blue ballpoint pen. Positioned behind the camera, the artist blurs the boundary between observer and subject, inviting viewers to experience the world from the creator's perspective. Every fold of fabric, subtle skin tone and reflective surface is meticulously rendered through thousands of layered pen strokes, demonstrating the remarkable precision and expressive range of the ballpoint pen. More than a portrait, the work is a reflection on observation, creativity and the enduring dialogue between the artist, the medium and the viewer.

Created entirely with ballpoint pens, this artwork portrays Mumbai's historic BMC Headquarters through a carefully composed architectural frame. Intricate line work and delicate tonal variations celebrate the monument's Gothic Revival grandeur while highlighting its enduring presence in the city's architectural and cultural landscape. The composition invites viewers to rediscover a familiar landmark through the precision and expressive depth of ballpoint pen artistry.

This artwork captures a quiet street near the iconic Bombay Stock Exchange, where Mumbai's historic architecture stands in dialogue with its modern financial skyline. The composition reflects a city suspended between memory and ambition, preserving its rich heritage while embracing constant transformation. Executed entirely with blue ballpoint pen, every line, texture and tonal transition is meticulously rendered to celebrate the extraordinary depth achievable through an ordinary writing instrument. More than a cityscape, the work is a meditation on Mumbai's enduring spirit, a place where yesterday's legacy continues to shape tomorrow's dreams.

Gateway to Eternity Rendered entirely with ballpoint pen, this artwork pays tribute to the iconic Gateway of India, one of Mumbai's most celebrated architectural landmarks. Through meticulous line work, layered textures and subtle tonal gradations, the drawing captures the monument's grandeur alongside the everyday rhythm of the city. The gathering of pigeons and visitors adds life and movement, transforming a historic structure into a living symbol of culture, memory and human connection. This work reflects the enduring beauty of Mumbai while showcasing the extraordinary precision and expressive potential of the humble ballpoint pen.

Created entirely with blue ballpoint pen, Harbour of Heritage captures a distinctive perspective of Mumbai's iconic Gateway of India from the edge of the Arabian Sea. The composition unites monumental architecture, the gentle movement of water, and the presence of the ferry, celebrating the city's enduring relationship with its coastline. Through thousands of meticulously layered pen strokes, every stone, ripple and reflection is rendered with remarkable precision, transforming a familiar urban landscape into a timeless narrative of travel, history and cultural identity. The artwork stands as a testament to the expressive depth and technical possibilities of the humble ballpoint pen.

Created entirely with ballpoint pens, The Last Tender documents a defining moment in India's economic history—the withdrawal of the ₹1000 banknote during the 2016 demonetization. Held between two hands, the once-powerful currency transforms into a symbol of impermanence, reminding us how value can change overnight while memories endure. Through meticulous layering, precise textures and remarkable realism, the artwork captures not only the physical details of the banknote and fabric but also the emotional uncertainty experienced by millions. It stands as a visual record of a historic event, demonstrating the extraordinary expressive potential of the humble ballpoint pen.