Live Sketching in Mumbai: Capturing the City’s Energy
Whether it’s the chaotic charm of Chor Bazaar or a quiet morning at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, I document Mumbai as it happens. These are raw, on-location memories, drawn live with ink and paper.
This reel documents a weekend sketching session at Mumbai's famous Chor Bazaar. It shows the atmosphere of the market and how I translate that energy into my sketchbook.
Another video from my trip to Chor Bazaar. You can see me sketching the details of the antique shops and the people in the market.
A reel from a sketching session at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Returning to a place I visited as a kid and drawing there felt like life coming full circle.
A sketchbook spread from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, drawn with a 4-in-1 ballpoint pen. This view captures the peacefulness of the lake and the swan boats.
Another sketch from the park, this time of a small tea stall with a sleeping dog. I'm always drawn to these quiet, everyday moments.
The original sketch in my notebook before it was digitized. You can see the raw lines and the texture of the paper.
A close-up of the lake sketch, showing the pen work and the beautiful green ink I used to capture the lush scenery.
A reel from a Sunday sketching session at a local market. Despite the heat, the vendors were welcoming and allowed us to sit and draw.
A sketch of Lord Ganesha, drawn live at a Durga Pooja pandal with Urban Sketchers Mumbai. The festive atmosphere was incredibly inspiring.
Another sketch from the same pandal, this time of the goddess Durga. Capturing the energy and devotion of the festival was a powerful experience.
About Live Sketching: Capturing Mumbai's Pulse
When I’m sketching on location, the goal isn't a perfect picture; it's capturing the hum of the market or a sleeping stray dog in the moment. It’s messy, sometimes hot, and always unpredictable—which is exactly why it’s real. If you’re looking for a photographer, you’ll get a clean image, but if you want the soul of your event or venue on paper, that’s where my sketchbook comes in.
When I sketch live at events or on the streets of Mumbai, the process is a collaboration between my hand and the immediate environment. You won't find perfectly posed scenes here. Instead, you get the authentic grit of the city—the tea stalls at SGNP, the organized chaos of Chor Bazaar, or the energy at a festival.
This style of art works differently than studio work. I use ballpoint pens and ink, which means there’s no undo button and no deleting mistakes. That’s the beauty of it. It feels alive. Whether you are hosting a corporate event, a wedding, or a brand activation, having an artist sketching live adds a layer of engagement that a camera just can’t replicate. Guests love to watch the process, and they leave with something tangible and personal.
If you are planning an event in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area and want to move away from standard photography, let's talk. We can discuss the scope, the timeline, and how I can help document the atmosphere of your space.
Shirish Ghatge
I’m an illustrator who refuses to work entirely behind a screen. For me, art is about getting out of the studio, sitting on a pavement, and drawing what I actually see—imperfections and all.
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