This work began as a portrait of Mehak—an imaginary character inspired by the word mehak (meaning fragrance). My intention was to create something beautiful, delicate, and poetic. But in the process, an accident changed everything: a drop of color fell on the portrait. Instead of erasing it, I embraced the moment, adding more drops and letting them flow across the paper. I then used pen to fill the sections with different images, and gradually the portrait of Mehak transformed into something larger—a map of Mehak.

Looking back today, I see this as the foundation of my cosmopolitan journey—where everything is interconnected, free from fixed perspectives. Even then, I asked myself: Why should an artwork be locked to one angle? Why can’t it be seen from every direction?

Before joining the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, I had already created this piece during my 10+2 days (2012). When I applied for admission in 2013, I included it in my aptitude test. Many works were appreciated, but this one was especially recognized by my teachers Rakesh Kumar and Nowshaad Gayoor.

Though college introduced me to new techniques, I never abandoned this approach. Over four years, it grew into my signature style, which I still continue to practice and expand today. At the time I laminated this piece with tape to preserve it, but now I prefer to let my works breathe freely.

This piece, My Personal Utopia, remains one of my earliest milestones—a beginning that shaped the interconnected, cosmopolitan language I continue to explore in my art.