Custom Mumbai Street Sketches & Hand-Drawn Illustrations
I capture the soul of Mumbai through my sketchbook, from legendary vada pav stalls to the quiet corners that define our city. If a spot in Mumbai holds a piece of your heart, I can turn it into an original illustration for you.
This vada pav stall has been a neighbourhood fixture for 40 years, and my watercolour sketch captures its simple, enduring charm. It’s these small, local spots that truly define the spirit of Mumbai.
Meet Sanjay bhaiya, who serves the best bhel puri in my neighbourhood. I sketched him at his cart, a place that holds so many childhood memories for me. It's the people that make a place special.
A sketch of Sapre & Sons, a gem of a Marathi eatery in Goregaon. I love capturing these local businesses that have stood the test of time and continue to serve the community with love.
An on-location watercolour sketch of the iconic Metro Cinema in Mumbai. Capturing the art deco architecture and the surrounding greenery was a wonderful way to spend the day with fellow urban sketchers.
A quick video showing my sketch of a beautiful old house in Ranwar Village, Bandra. This historic area is a hidden gem, and I used acrylic markers to capture the vibrant colours of its unique architecture.
This old ladoo shop holds so many sweet childhood memories for me. I created this watercolour sketch to preserve the image of a place that has remained unchanged through the years.
A watercolour sketch of Naresh Tailor, a local ladies' dressmaker in my neighbourhood. It's these small businesses that are the backbone of our communities, and I love to document them in my art.
This government zhunka bhaakar kendra is a reminder of simpler times. My watercolour sketch captures this humble eatery that continues to serve the people of Mumbai.
A watercolour painting of a beautiful 100-year-old temple just a short walk from my home. Knowing the panditji and the shopkeepers makes sketching places like this feel even more personal.
A colourful sketch capturing the busy, narrow lanes of Gandhi Market. I used a mix of media to show the textures and energy of this popular Mumbai shopping destination.
About Mumbai Meri Jaan: Sketches of My City
If you have a local shop, a childhood hangout, or an iconic Mumbai landmark that means the world to you, let’s talk about immortalising it in watercolour or ink. I take your photos and stories, then sketch them by hand, keeping all those little, honest details—the peeling paint, the handwritten boards, and the bustle—intact.
Turning memories into art
My approach to urban sketching is simple. I don't look for perfect, polished architecture. I look for the life that happens around it. Whether it is the frantic energy of a local market or the silent dignity of an old house in Aarey Forest, my goal is to document the places that stay the same while everything else moves at lightning speed.
What you can commission
If you have a specific place in mind—your grandfather's favourite tailor, that first-date cafe, or your ancestral home—I can recreate it using a few different styles:
- Classic Watercolour & Ink: Best for capturing the texture of old buildings and the warmth of a setting.
- Acrylic Markers: A more vibrant, punchy approach, perfect for capturing the bold colours of modern or chaotic street scenes.
- Digital Illustration: Great if you want high-res files to print on posters, tote bags, or postcards.
How we start
You do not need to be an expert in art history to get a commission. Just share a photo of the place, tell me why it matters to you, and we will take it from there. I often include the little details that only a local would notice, like the specific style of a handwritten board or the way the light hits a particular doorway. Each piece is hand-drawn and treated as a love letter to the city.
Divya Bhatia
I'm Divya, and I live for the little slices of happiness that make Mumbai, well, Mumbai. When I'm not sketching at a bhel puri cart or an old temple, I'm working with people like you to capture your own favourite street corners and local memories.
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