6 Indian Adult Colouring Books To Soothe Your Monday Blues

Adult colouring books became a huge trend about three years ago and is one that has stayed. In 2015, at one point five spots on Amazon’s top 10 bestsellers were occupied by adult colouring books. Also, the time spent focusing on colouring is said to leave one feeling relaxed and calm and in some cases therapeutic effects of adult colouring books have been scientifically proven as well.

This trend has seeped into India in a big way. Not only have adult colouring books become people’s go-to hobby, but some Indians have also taken it upon themselves to come up with books that are inspired by India’s rich history, culture, and traditions. From adult colouring books inspired by Indian mythology to those that take you back in time to the lush gardens of the Mughal era, Homegrown has put together a list of adult colouring books that have been created closer to home.

I. Devdutt Pattanaik’s Ramayana and Mahabharata inspired colouring books

Based on Devdutt Pattanaik’s bestselling retellings of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Jaya and Sita colouring books will take you back to a time where you sat with mouths agape, listening to your grandparents narrate mythological tales while your imaginations ran wild trying to visualise the grandeur and fervour they spoke of. Watch chaotic battlefields and tense courtrooms come to life as you colour in scenes of these epics that you’ve grown up listening about.

Price: INR 349 for The Sita Colouring book and INR 286 for The Jaya Colouring book.

II. Shakuntala and Her Magic Box

A beautiful amalgamation of popular culture and the age-old art form of Madhubani paintings, this adult colouring book is the brainchild of Subhadra Kalyanaraman. The book revolves around a girl called Shakuntala and her love for music. All the 16 works of art included in the book are Kalyanaraman’s own. Also, the book’s layout is such that you can pull out and frame the masterpieces you’ve worked on.

Price: INR 1265.

III. Bagh-e-Bahar by Good Earth

Good Earth too has ventured into the world of adult colouring books. The sustainable luxury brand’s Bagh-e-Bahar: A Mughal Garden is a collection of drawings inspired by Persian, central Asian and indigenous Indian art forms. The illustrations are accompanied with quotes by Rumi and are a window into the opulent lives of Mughals. The portrayal of majestic palaces and lush gardens has been done in a way so as to not take away from Good Earth’s characteristic design aesthetic. Adding to the beauty of the intricate patterns and bringing to life the rich designs is an experience worth delving into.

Price: INR 899

IV. The Mystical World: Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet

Inspired by Khalil Gibran’s verses Sujaya Batra decided to convert the poet’s work into gel pen drawings. It was these drawings that were later combined and made into a colouring book for adults. “Countless are the occasions when I have turned to ‘The Prophet’ when I needed answers to difficult situations, or just needed the soothing balm of his simple philosophy. My interest in Chinese, Buddhist and Zen philosophy provides me with subject matter for my drawings. Their art full of beautiful imagery from nature, and is very symbolic,” explained Batra in an interview with Homegrown. Flowers, animals, birds, mythical creatures and nature are some themes that have been explored by Batra to symbolically represent the verses she was inspired by.

Price: INR 205.

V. Alicia Souza’s Quirky Colour-In Creations

Alicia Souza, who in the past has been spoken of with regards to her collaboration with Chumbak, is one of the most famous Indian illustrators today. Adult colouring is something Souza started exploring way before it became the trend it is today. Her Let Go calendar, Grateful Calendar and colour-in postcards are creative renditions of this trend that has caught on like wildfire. Putting emphasis on the the relaxing effects of colouring, her creations add the perfect DIY personalised touch to gifts. In the past, she has collaborated with Fizzy Goblet to create a one-of-a-kind line of colour in jutis that come with waterproof acrylic paints.

Visit Souza’s website for more information.

VI. Beauty Needs Space: A Colouring Book For Big Children

Indu Harikumar is a Mumbai-based artist who self-published a colouring book for adults titled Beauty Needs Space: A Colouring Book For Big Children. This colouring book is Harikumar’s attempt at championing mindfulness and body positivity. “Colouring helps you switch off, and brings the mind to focus, and calmness,” said Harikumar in an interview with Outlook.

If you like this we suggest you read:

A Kama Sutra Colouring Book Lets Adults Explore Erotica In A Unique Way

The Very Best Indian Art To Come Out Of This Year’s 36 Days Of Type Challenge

Explore The World Of Mythology Through Rithika Merchant’s Fantastical Art