Pune-Based Sayali Bhagali Damle loves to bring out the best versions of people through her illustrations. She designs customised wedding invites, wall paintings and personalised illustrations. &ldquo;We are a beautiful chaos of emotions, things and experiences. I try to amplify these happy attributes through my work,&rdquo; says the JJ School of Applied Arts and IDC, IIT Bombay alumna.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/Sayali-Bhagali-Damle_e.jpg" alt="Sayali Bhagali Damle" width="1280" height="720" /> Sayali Bhagali Damle
Damle recently published an Aarti Sangraha, designed with her three-year-old daughter in mind. &ldquo;I wanted to introduce her to the different gods we have in our dev ghar [temple at home]. I illustrated cute avatars of these gods, which any child would relate to,&rdquo; says Damle, who has already sold about 3,000 copies. She also plans to publish small books of badbad geete (Marathi kids&rsquo; songs) and bhondla songs. Damle&rsquo;s customised illustration range starts at Rs 5,000. @sayalibhagali, Instagram
<h2>A new leaf</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/New-leaf-a_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
What started as a way to earn some extra pocket money is now a fast-growing, small business for 21-year-old Saurabh Devadhe who embroiders on leaves, his pieces priced at Rs 2,000. He requires specific leaves of trees such as banyan, rubber and jackfruit because they are thicker even after drying, making them apt for embroidery.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/New-leaf-b_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
&ldquo;The first time I picked up a leaf was during my quarantine period in my village and I just drew on it with a pen. But now, I have learnt the technique of punching holes in the leaf to get the design,&rdquo; he shares. Moreover, he points out, &ldquo;Leaf embroidery is easier than fabric because it is already thick and unlike fabric, you don&rsquo;t need to hold it tight while stitching.&rdquo;
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/New-leaf-c_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
However, the biggest drawback is that unlike in fabric, the stitch on a leaf can&rsquo;t be removed as it&rsquo;s very fragile. Devadhe ultimately aims to do silk farming&mdash;making fabric and doing embroidery on it. &ldquo;Almost like creating a label,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp; @bespokebysaurabh, Instagram
<h2>Talking a good game</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/Sarthak-Sidharth_e.jpg" alt="Sarthak Sidharth" width="1280" height="720" /> Sarthak Sidharth
Pune-Based Sarthak Sidharth started his podcast All About The Game to create a platform for sports experts to share their experiences and knowledge, and help athletes improve their craft. It was also a way for sports and fitness enthusiasts to learn about the business side of the industry. &ldquo;We interview professional athletes, coaches, sports-science experts and people involved in the business side of sports, on sports technology, sports psychology, nutrition, athlete stories, peak performances and marketing,&rdquo; says Sidharth. The podcast has featured a number of guests including Jan M&uuml;hlfeit, former chairman of Microsoft Europe who has worked with Bill Gates for over 10 years. He was also a former professional tennis player and on the podcast spoke about how learnings from sports can be used in a corporate context to teach leadership, teamwork and strategy. Other experts who have appeared on the show are Kasten Spethmann, Antonio Williams, David Karasek and a host of Olympians. Sidharth releases a new podcast every week.&nbsp; On Spotify and Apple Podcasts
<h2>Get your forks ready</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/Mewara_e.jpg" alt="Mewara and Jayakumar in an episode of The Big Forkers" width="1280" height="720" /> Mewara and Jayakumar in an episode of The Big Forkers
In May last year, cousins Sid Mewara, an investment banker with experience as a professional chef, and Shashank Jayakumar, a serial technology entrepreneur and consultant to The World Bank, started The Big Forkers on YouTube. &ldquo;The Big Forkers was born out of the necessity for candid, honest and unapologetic commentary on food, restaurants and cuisines,&rdquo; say the duo whose first season covered their experiences in Mumbai and second traced the food trail they followed in Goa. The show is marked by a raw and witty energy that has already garnered them more than three million views and over 40,000 subscribers on YouTube. &ldquo;Our show caters to people who love good food and appreciate candid, no-frills food commentary. We aim to leave every episode with nuggets of trivia,&rdquo; say Mewara and Jayakumar. While their first season in Mumbai was shot just before the lockdown, for their second season, they went to Goa [where they shot while] following social distancing guidelines. This proved a challenge given the show&rsquo;s interactive format. The team is currently prepping for their third season, which will showcase Bengaluru&rsquo;s culinary experiences. &ldquo;Bengaluru is a melting pot of all south Indian cuisines and you will get to experience a little of every part of southern India,&rdquo; say the duo. &nbsp; https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBigForkersshow
<h2>Pet project</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/oct/Pet-project_e.jpg" alt="" />
Founder and creative director of Heads Up For tails (HUFT) Rashi Narang has now started a podcast, which like her company, is dedicated to understanding animal behaviour and help strengthen the bond between pets and their human parents. In short, under-10-minute episodes, Narang shares her learnings from her own journey as a pet parent and calls experts to provide insights on pet grooming, nutrition, training and care at every stage of the pet&rsquo;s life. We especially liked the fact that the podcast tackles simpler, but often overlooked issues like care for dogs during monsoons. Narang&rsquo;s coherent explanations and the show&rsquo;s interactive nature&mdash;[she] addresses audience queries&mdash;is making this a must-listen for all pet parents.&nbsp; On Gaana and IVM Podcasts
 <script async="async" data-cfasync="false" src="//pl23789885.revenuecpmgate.com/7445444aea29efc3d061cbd866026c06/invoke.js"></script>
 <div id="container-7445444aea29efc3d061cbd866026c06"></div>

She also plans to publish small books of badbad geete (Marathi kids’ songs) and bhondla songs. Damle’s customised illustration range starts at Rs 5,000

Drawing happiness

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Ganeshotsav 2026

Home / Sunday-mid-day / Article / Drawing happiness

Drawing happiness

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Ganeshotsav 2026