O A S I S
Delhi, 2022
The Athpula Bridge, at one of the primary entrances of Lodi Gardens in New Delhi
(made as part of the URBAN SKETCHERS DELHI collective)
Series : There is Life Between the Cracks
Typology : Urban Illustration (Black and White)
Medium : Mixed Media (Hand-made sketches, and digital shading on Photoshop)
(prints available in multiple sizes)
This illustration was made on a urban sketching session hosted by Urban Sketchers Delhi, at Lodi Gardens - one of Delhi's grandest and most well-designed recreational spots.
Having not heard of the Athpula Bridge earlier, I was pleasantly surprised to recognise it as the iconic bridge at the entrance of Lodi Gardens , where I had fond memories of enjoying school picnics and outings. I saw it as a transitional space of entering, departing, reflecting and embracing.
This bridge was named after the 8 piers (ath = 8, pula = bridge) of which only 4 remain, with the ends reconstructed with stone and rubble masonry so that it is stable and levelled with the park itself.
The general public notion is to head straight towards the park itself, or tread the path on the right where the pond is more visible and the monuments are closer. The edge on the left was just a chunk of leftover land with a part of the pond, a small sitting space and well, and mostly service areas.
The general public notion is to head straight towards the park itself, or tread the path on the right where the pond is more visible and the monuments are closer. The edge on the left was just a chunk of leftover land with a part of the pond, a small sitting space and well, and mostly service areas.
But that's where I decided to perch myself, allured by its liminal charm. This small portion of the park, felt like a hidden oasis exuding peace that was a literal and figurative escape from the Sunday crowd, with the beautiful morning rays illuminating my sketchbook.
I love lively surprises such hidden-in-plain-sight spaces within the urban context can offer you.
