Siddham Series 4: शुभ लाभ Shubh Laabh for Dhantera
In this Siddham series post, Shubh Laabh comes together for Dhanteras, first in my sketchbook in ink, silver and gold, then on a tiny poster board at our door for potluck guests, smudges and all. Notes on building a composition stroke by stroke, putting version one up, and keeping the practice going after the course…
From Doorstep to Bindu: A Shri Yantra on a Red Oxide Floor
A Shri Yantra in 24-carat Tanjore gold foil, its walls lit with a kolam of lamps and softened into a welcome, and at its centre, a hole. Here’s how I painted the doorstep I grew up with, from Fremont, and why the most sacred point in the whole painting is the one my compass left…
Siddham Series 3: Shri on a Doily, Radha in a Lake: Closing Akshara, Opening a Practice
Five sessions of Siddham calligraphy came to an end today, and I am leaving with more questions than answers. On beauty vs. legibility, letters stacked like a density bonus, my name turning into a lake, and why this ending is the start of a lifelong thread.
Monkey Mask Diaries – Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Done
Monkey see, monkey do, monkey done. The Monkey Diaries end the way every good project should: with deliverables, a closeout, and something to take home. Grab the free monkey mask pattern, visit the library display, and see what a planner learns when her studio becomes a monkey habitat.
Monkey Mask Diaries, Part 5: The Template (Or, How I Cut 25 Pages Down to Six)
The Monkey Mask Diaries end with a gift: a free, front-facing monkey half-mask template in clean pen and ink. It’s six sheets instead of twenty-five, with numbered edges, generous glue tabs, and planner-grade fold lines. Subscribe to download it and build yours in one evening.
Siddham series 2: The Script That Took the Long Way Home
An ancient Sanskrit script left India, crossed China, settled in Japan, and found me at a desk in Fremont. Once the diamonds and waves settled in, I went looking for where Siddham came from, and found a story that sounds a lot like mine.
By Toutatis! A 12-Hour Asterix Costume, Built from Old Navy and Optimism and Longevity Goals
Two generations of Asterix fans, one sketchbook, and a Spirit Halloween line that wouldn’t move. We spent $62.43 on clothes my son will keep wearing, then turned them into Asterix with paper wings, an old belt and a hand-painted potion gourd. Irukkaradha vechu (with whatever we have) meets project management, and the drawing finally walked…
Day 33 of 100 days of Indian culture: Golu is sent off with a quiet farewell, Monkeys Take a New Exhibition.
A quick recap leading up to Date 33 of our hundred days, with 73 to go until January 2. Last week the Golu was put to rest and wrapped up, the steps came down, and the dolls went back to sleep. The monkeys, however, did not get the memo. They are having a moment on…
Siddham: Joy
Her arrival is a reminder of the challenges we face, and her constant presence is a testament to the strength we must find within ourselves: Re: Joy!
Adbhutha – ಅದ್ಭುತ: Wrapping Up Navarathri 2026
One word for Navarathri 2026: Adbhutha (ಅದ್ಭುತ). Golu joy across the Bay Area, a few lessons in festival logistics and planning (hello, 680 traffic), and a cozy farewell until next year.
Diamonds, Waves and Other Strokes of Humility
I started learning Siddham calligraphy on Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day to begin something new, with a course kit that arrived from India just in time. Notes from the first sessions of Akshara: learning to see before writing, the broad-edged pen, and a calligraphy grid that looks like a zoning map.
Vettalai Paaku, Reimagined: Shilpa Shastra Stickers for Golu 2026 and more
Two years of Shilpa Shastra motifs, digitized with their original proportions and my logo’s colors, become a ten-sticker collection for the Golu Navarathri 2026 vettalai paaku goodie bag. Vote on which one goes tk production
Monkey Mask Diaries, Part 4: The Masks are Monkeying.
The monkey masks finally had their big reveal. Kids and adults wore them at our Golu, my son helped stage a short play with Vali and Sugriva, and the garden filled with color. Here’s the finale and what I learned along the way.
Monkey Mask Diaries, Part 3: Where the Monkeys Got Their Faces
Where did my monkeys get their faces? From Yakshagana, Mexican alebrijes, and Gond art. Here’s how three traditions shaped the colors and patterns of Vali, Sugriva, and Hanuman, and why 12 hours of painting stretched into the wee hours.
Monkey Mask Diaries, Part 2: Research Before Rework
When my clay and papier-mâché plans fell apart, my creative community pointed me to Chhau mask making. Here’s how a dance tradition from eastern India led me to cotton cloth strips for mask making: light, smooth, and ready for paint.
Monkey Mask Diaries, Part 1: The Flop
Three years ago I managed a team to make a whole cast of masks. This year I tried making them myself, and found out that delegating and handiwork are very different skills. Cereal boxes, 1.5 kg of cracked clay, and one very honest son.
HPRM Golu 2026 Kickoff: Meet the Monkeys!
Our home Golu kicked off last night with shlokams, music, theatre, and laughter. Meet the Yakshagana-inspired monkey masks behind the kids’ drama, plus the new Shilpa Shastra sticker collection made for the goodie bags.
Drawing the Yantra, not solving it
A yantra isn’t a diagram to decode. It comes alive when you draw it from your own energy. I learned that the hard way, as an architect-turned-planner who showed up with a protractor and opinions. Plus: jamuns, burnout and the October rituals that ground me.
Roses in October: Five feet of fragrant trouble
October 2026 began with five foot tall fragrant roses, a pair of them! Such a pesky tall beautiful plant, and those gorgeous flowers!
Make now, studio later
My go-to space to quieten my mind is an Ikea corner desk with no storage, a bunch of paints, and three unfinished projects. It isn’t a studio, but it’s where I make. Why I won’t wait for one to begin.