" Success of a Brand Takes Time"

Want to become a writer at Eat My News? Here is an opportunity to join the Board of Young Leaders Program by Eat My News. Click here to know more: bit.ly/boardofyoungleaders

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

My name is Arpan Mazumder, and I go by the name of ‘Doodle Bhai’ on the social media platforms. I am an architect-urban planner by training and profession.

I was born and raised in a quaint, little industrial town called Chittaranjan, known for its Chittaranjan Locomotives Works (CLW) factory, where railway engines are manufactured. In 2004, I shifted to Calcutta to pursue a bachelor’s in architecture from Jadavpur University.

After graduation, I did a short stint in an architectural firm before moving to Delhi to pursue a master’s degree in Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture. Since 2012, I have been working in the urban development sector.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be a painter/illustrator?

I have always been fond of painting and sketching, right from a very tender age. However, due to academic commitments, this vocation started getting neglected, and soon, I had to let go of it completely. During the architecture days, I could somehow revive the drawing skills (part of the curriculum), but couldn’t sustain. Once the jobs started, I could hardly find the time.

After a while, I realized that a hobby would really help maintain balance and sanity by breaking the monotony of job life. In mid-2019, I decided to give my illustration skills one more shot. Thus, I began my journey into the creative world of doodling and illustration. Again. Now, I am a full-time urbanist and a freelance illustration-cartoonist.

3. Is it a financially stable career?

It would be too early for me to comment on this since I have taken only baby steps into this world. With my limited knowledge of the field, all I can say is that financial stability would follow if one is willing to persevere.

The success of a brand takes time. Apart from the creative skills, one needs to look into the marketing aspects as well. With hard work, dedication, and perseverance, success can be ensured.

4. Who is your favorite illustrator and why?

While growing up, I used to drool over the works of Milind Mulick. He makes water coloring look so effortless! Trust me, it is one of the most difficult mediums. Being born into a Bengali family, I could not escape being introduced to the works of Satyajit Ray. At first, it was the cinematic world.

Later, as interest grew, I started exploring his works in other fields as well, be writing, illustrating, or music. Although he’s known the world over as an acclaimed filmmaker, his illustrations, typography, and graphics skills were top-notch too. RK Laxman is a cartoonist, whose bold strokes and subtle humor inspire me.

Of late, I have grown fond of the works of Pascal Campion, Kim Jung Gi, Bijay Biswaal, and Djamila Knopf. They can transport you to an entirely different world altogether.

5. Where do you get inspired to create art?

Epiphanies, current events, and, sometimes, my mood help me select the topics/themes for my artworks, which may range from anything to everything under the sun, and beyond.

To date, I have illustrated on topics such as childhood nostalgia, parallel universe, nature and animals, lockdown conversations, post-lockdown conversations, current affairs, and even portraits and caricatures. One can visit or my Facebook and Instagram pages for viewing the entire collection.

6. What does your typical day look like?

Like I mentioned earlier, I still work full-time in the development sector. In between, I try to squeeze in some time for arts. So, on a normal weekday, it’s the usual boring schedule: reach the office, work till 5:30 or 6:00pm, and get back home. Then begins my doodling sessions.

7. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring illustrators?

My advice to all the aspiring illustrators would be: First, believe in your style of work, without comparing it with others and feeling bad about it. Secondly, the pursuit of self-improvement should never cease. And finally, perseverance is the key. One may lose heart over the initial non-responsiveness from the audience, but if one keeps at it, one is bound to get noticed.

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

This is the most difficult question. I have so many of them. It would be unfair to choose one! My favorite genres are fiction and fantasy. I love the works of Mark Twain, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, HG Wells, Dan Brown, George Orwell, Doyle, JRR Tolkien, Michael Crichton, Ken Follett.

Among the Indian writers, some of my favorites include RK Narayan, Ruskin Bond, Ramachandra Guha, Jhumpa Lahiri. In Bengali, I find the stories written by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Mahashweta Devi, and, of course, Satyajit Ray fascinating.

- Arpan Mazumder, Illustrator at Doodlebhai

- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan