Roots & Routes is a zine created for Bombay Zine Fest 2024 that explores migratory communities across India. Through illustration, it documents how communities adapt to new places while carrying fragments of their original culture.
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Stage 1
Researched communities with long histories of migration, tracing where they originated, where they settled, and how they balanced both cultural identities over generations.
Stage 2
Studied clothing, jewellery, physical features, customs, and visual language from both cultures to identify elements that could be combined within a single illustrated character.
Stage 3
Created illustrated portraits that merged visual traits from both cultures, pairing each with regional tile patterns to map their journeys across India.
The Thanjavur Marathas trace their roots to the Maratha rule established in Thanjavur during the 17th century. While preserving Marathi traditions, they gradually adopted Tamil language, cuisine, and customs, creating a distinct hybrid identity.
The Jews of Kerala arrived through successive waves of trade and migration, settling primarily in Kochi. Though their population has declined through migration to Israel, their synagogues, traditions, and cultural legacy remain an important part of Kerala's history.
The Tibetans of Karnataka settled in the state following the 1959 Tibetan exile, establishing some of the world's largest Tibetan settlements outside Tibet. Today, they continue to preserve their language, religion, and crafts while contributing to the region's economy and culture.
The Kabuliwalas of Kolkata migrated from Afghanistan as traders, travelling seasonally to sell dry fruits, spices, and textiles. Over time, many established permanent businesses, becoming a familiar part of Kolkata's commercial and cultural landscape.
Creating this zine highlighted the importance of both assimilation and preservation. Migrant communities thrive by becoming part of their new homes while continuing to hold on to where they came from. It was a project I hold super close to my heart for the stories it chose to tell.
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