I spent my childhood in Banaras frolicking on the ghats of the Ganga. What caught my attention, apart from the usual boatmen and ritualistic visitors, were these artists coming from different parts of the world. Known and unknown, they would sit for hours sketching and painting the inspirations they got sitting on the steps of one of the world’s oldest living city.

Now, I was young and intrigued. From the corner of my eye, I would steal a glimpse and then try to copy their style, in secrecy of course. Later in the lanes of Banaras, I would pick up second hand comic books, read them and then do my own versions of their characters.

What began as a comical hobby soon gained expertise with me walking into Fine Arts at Banaras Hindu University. Here the pencil gave me company. Either it was between my fingers, or resting peacefully behind my ears, typical Rajni style. In that era, it was a 5 year course, and I continuously sketched throughout my college life. The pencil became my sixth finger and Sketcher became my middle name. In 1992, I walked out of the university, wearing the invisible graduation cap and with a bagful of dreams.

My chappals and pencil took me first to a publication house in Allahabad. The black of the lead started churning out currency notes of my first salary. Even the best Davidoff would have failed in front of the smell of a crisp 100 rupee note.

Then in 2000, Dainik Bhaskar happened. And I found myself in the swag of Chandigarh. The socialising pattern changed from the steps of the ghats to the chairs of pubs. All of a sudden life felt much better! In fact, it also had an impact on my hairstyle.
Climbing the ladder was apparent. So, Nav Bharat Times, Mindworks Globeal Media, DNA Mumbai (Deputy Art Director) and Hindustan Times (Art Director) became the steps. The journey has me now working with Nav Bharat Times as a National Design Editor.

Every day was an experience, and every illustration printed became a learning point. The pencil turned blank papers into lifestyle magazine design, page scribbles, children’s books, graphics, info-graphics, ad campaigns, packaging design, story boards, digital illustration, logo designs and even digital Illustrations.

Times have changed, and my pencil got a new friend in my Wacom tablet. Improvising in my own style, I have started a series of celeb digital portraits, from the past and the present. Apart from the likes and shares, one has also found its way into Deepika Padukone’s collection, her own portrait.

While art is finding its way into new perspectives, the pencil still yearns for more. Its sharp, black lead, ready to turn more pages into new chapters of history.