1966- The Mumbai cafe
When a close friend opened a café inspired by Mumbai’s iconic street food culture, I was thrilled to contribute to the visual storytelling. The café, named 1966 after the year the beloved vada pav first appeared, pays homage to the vibrant, sensory-rich world of Indian street vendors.
The Wall Mural: A Journey Through Two Cities
As the heart of the café, the mural connects Mumbai to Bangalore — a visual path that begins at the Gateway of Indiaand ends at Lalbagh’s Glass Palace. This symbolic journey reflects the movement of food, people, and memories across cities. The mural combines bold lines, warm colour palettes, and playful nods to daily life in India.
Tray Liners: A Tribute to the Street Vendors
Two directions were explored for the tray liner: one inspired by aged newspapers, recalling the way street food was traditionally wrapped; and the other, a character illustration of a vendor cooking vada pav — grounding the experience in the hands that made it possible. The final design focused on honoring the everyday heroes behind the food.
Alongside the mural and tray liners, I also contributed to the menu design and curated photo wall installations — each element designed to complement the space and evoke nostalgia, comfort, and flavor.
