Pakoda seller

#onlyinindia#azadikaamritmahotsav

Come monsoon and in India there is one snack which is enjoyed countrywide. Pakode/pakore/bhajiya or fritters is almost synonymous with the rains. A variety of vegetables like eggplant, onion, potatoes, cabbage, etc are dipped in a batter made with chickpea flour and some spices like cumin and turmeric and then they are deep fried in oil. This crisp delicacy is served with hot masala Chai ( spiced milk tea).

Yesterday I went to old Pune and saw this stall selling different varieties of pakode and also vada paav (Indian burger) and thought this would be apt for my #onlyinindia series.

I showed the sketch to the owner and he had barely 2 seconds to look at it. There was a throng of customers placing their orders all at once. But he smiled and asked me to whatsapp him the sketch. I too placed an order of onion and potato fritters and it was delicious.

If you are new to street food in India, make sure that you eat from stalls that have a crowd and that food is served hot, and you will be good to go.

Vidhan Bhavan, Pune

The Vidhan Bhavan also called Council Hall houses various government offices including that of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Pune. It was constructed in 1870 in Venetian Gothic style and is a Grade 1 Heritage structure in Pune.

The campus is lush green with huge trees, birds singing and squirrels frolicking around. It was a lovely morning in such verdant surroundings.

Vidhan Bhavan, Pune

Another sketch today at the Vidhan Bhavan also called Council Hall which houses various government offices including that of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Pune. It was constructed in 1870 in Venetian Gothic style and is a Grade 1 Heritage structure in Pune.

Swipe to see the different stages of the sketch. For once I remembered to take photos of the process. It's only for architecture sketches that I use a pencil first. Otherwise it's directly with pen and watercolors.