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Deepa Balsavar’s work is astonishing in its scope and scale, from the small to the big books she has written and illustrated. She has spent three decades in the service of children’s literature as one of a rare breed of Indian writer-illustrators, which is a remarkable feat of dedication as well as sustained creativity.
Deepa’s work over this period not only demonstrates a mastery of visual communication but also an acute understanding of visual literacy. The depth of detail in each of her illustrations, even if they appear ‘busy’, are still very visually readable. A case in point being Nani in an easily identifiable Ajrak sari, who stands out in the milling crowds in the stupendous large-format in her book Nani’s Walk to the Park. Such illustrations give the child a lot to see and ponder on yet not overwhelm or confuse, allowing them to immerse into a world of detail.
The delicate balance between colour, image and expression while simultaneously showing restraint and reference to the text is a hallmark in all of Deepa’s works. Over the years, she has explored different styles and techniques and every time she has come up with illustrations that have complemented and supported the text brilliantly.
Deepa’s illustrations reflect passion, commitment and her deep involvement with a child’s well-being. They represent diversity, compassion and sensitivity without losing the playfulness and charm that effortlessly appeal children and adults alike. The depth of thoughtful research to each book is demonstrated in the portrayal of characters that avoids the pitfalls of stereotyping and helps the reader embrace them for who they are.
Deepa’s long-term commitment to creating contextual literature for children can be seen in her involvement with the Avehi-Abacus project, which has resulted in her illustrating narrative non-fiction books such as the brilliant The Sea in a Bucket. Special mention should be made of Sameer’s House, which she wrote but not illustrated, for the fabulous imagination of the Matryoshka doll-like body of text that encapsulates scales in the entire universe within the reach of children.
We hope to see more wonderful books from Deepa Balsavar in the years to come, and we can say with confidence that each one will draw us in to magical and real worlds that await our exploration, questions and delight.
