Ink, Watercolors, and the Streets of Pune: A Journey of Passion and Discovery
We think that one must separately dedicate time for hobbies, especially those involve some creativity, some elements of art. But we forget that our life is already woven around art. It is our silent companion. While waiting at traffic signal we admire black beauty of shiny Rolls Royce. While doing window shopping, we get lost into embroidery of linen coat. All this is art only. It is just that we are so much engrossed in our thoughts that we just don’t realise it.
For an IT professional – Suraj Thite, art has been revolving around a hobby of sketching and he grew with it. His journey, from a curious child sketching with unfiltered joy to an urban sketcher capturing the essence of Pune, is one of passion, self-discovery, and artistic liberation.
Suraj describes his fond memory – probably the earliest one of impact of art on his life. He remembers winning a second prize in a competition at the age of seven. It may sound small to us but for the kid of meagre seven years age, it was a huge achievement. It was enough to sow a seed, no one would have imagined growing into a life-long passion!
Yes, it did.
As time passed, he explored various forms of paintings – drawing, painting in different media, sketching and many more. He even explored sculpture and music. He is trained percussionist and now he’s tuning strings of the Ukulele.
Suraj’s personality is multifaceted. He’s formally trained in IT with prior experience as a marine professional plus management expert. However, the artist within him never faded. If anything, it waited for the right moment to break free.
An Accidental Introduction to Urban Sketching
Urban sketching is an artform where you trap local cityscapes on art-paper through sketching. At least this is what most of us think and so did Suraj. When one his colleagues introduced Suraj to #Urban_Sketchers (Urban Sketchers) – a global movement that promotes art, Suraj realised it is far more than sketching city buildings in black ink. Urban sketching is sketching on location, capturing real-life moments, and letting a city’s energy flow through ink and colours. In initial days Suraj felt excited yet intimidating. Was he ready to step out of his shell and sketch in public?
Pune is a historic city with deep rooted culture which reflects in its every nook and corner. No wonder this city was the perfect muse for Suraj. He sought out Urban Sketchers Pune and hesitantly observed their sessions from a distance. Self-doubt and the fear of judgment kept him from joining in right away. But one day, he packed his sketchbook, a single pen, and made his way to a Sunday meet at Wakeshwar Temple in Pashan. That morning changed everything.
Breaking Barriers, One Sketch at a Time
At first, Suraj remained on the periphery, feeling like an outsider among seasoned sketchers. But as he watched the group engrossed in their sketches, chatting, and sharing their work without inhibition, he realized he wasn’t just there to draw—he was there to connect. Week after week, he showed up, pushing past his introverted nature and the fear of not being “good enough.”
He started sketching in his newly purchased sketchbook, gradually developing a panoramic style that captured entire cityscapes across two pages. Initially, he obsessed over finding a “signature style,” but a simple yet profound lesson from renowned architect and fellow sketcher Ravi Gadre changed his perspective. Gadre advised him to never follow the three “C’s”: Never Compare, Never Copy, Never Complain. Those words were liberating. Sketching wasn’t about perfecting a technique or standing out—it was about having fun.
Finding His Flow: Ink and Watercolors
As Suraj let go of artistic constraints, he found himself gravitating toward ink and watercolors, a medium that felt both spontaneous and meditative. He became so absorbed in sketching that the world around him would often blur—compliments, conversations, and passing glances barely registered as he poured himself onto the pages. Urban sketching had become more than just an artistic hobby; it was a form of mindfulness, a way to be present in the moment.
His growing confidence led him to participate in multiple Sunday meets and even the annual Urban Sketchers Pune exhibition. For the first time, he wasn’t just creating art in isolation—he was part of a thriving community that shared his love for storytelling through sketches.
The Art of Storytelling Through Sketches
Each drawing is more than just lines and colors; it holds stories, memories, and the essence of places Suraj has wandered through. With every artwork, he invites viewers to see Pune through his eyes, to feel the pulse of its streets, and to witness the beauty hidden in everyday moments.
What began as a childhood passion, rekindled through a casual conversation, has now become a fulfilling artistic journey. His story is proof that art is not just about talent or formal training—it is about showing up, embracing the process, and most importantly, enjoying every stroke of the journey.
Narration by Suraj Thite
Explore Suraj’s work at:
