The World of Saptan Stories: When Past & Future Merge to Make a Stunning Present

It’s hard to believe we’re in the final week of Saptan Stories. Saptan began as a unique collaborative arts project developed as part of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017. The project invited people in India to generate a unique story over seven weeks, which then got illustrated by seven standout artists from India and the UK.

Over the last six weeks Saptan saw an incredible response, with thousands of written story lines being submitted by the Indian audiences and some visually stunning responses being developed by the seven artists.

The images below give an insight into the journey so far, the buzz and excitement of the teams involved and the artists’ creative processes, inspiration and work spaces.

Delving into each of these artists’ social media channels provides a window into all their amazing work.

When you start out, every project can seem daunting.

Rendering my first piece for #saptanstories with #aardmananimations #ukindia2017 #britishcouncilindia

A post shared by Saloni Sinha (@morbidillusion) on Jul 29, 2017 at 3:58am PDT

Your cluttered mind looks to declutter your workspace first.

Getting workplace prepped for exciting public source story project running for 7 weeks (As soon as I set up the cat promptly sat on everything.) #link for Saptan stories in bio ☝? #saptanstories #ukindia2017 #illustration #drawing #studio #desk #wip #comic #sketch #sketchbook

A post shared by Janine Shroff (@scritchproductions) on Jul 29, 2017 at 7:04am PDT

You turn to close friends for much-needed inspiration.

Hi again! Here is some inspiration for your artwork or sketch. Send in your creative entries to the opening line using #SaptanStories and you can win a signed artwork from me @gemmacorrell. Don’t forget to submit your entries for the 2nd line too! Visit the link in the profile to know more about the project. Send your entries soon! . . . #UKIndia2017 #ArtistsofInstagram #Storyteller #VisualArt #Writing #Culture #sketch #Aardman @aardmananimations

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 4, 2017 at 1:30am PDT

Inspiration takes several shapes and forms.

“I found it hard to get over my broken heart, I thought I never would. Then one night, by the moonlit river, something happened that changed everything.” Saptan Stories 1st week’s illustration is out! Click on the link to see the other artist illustrations and also submit your story: 7 artists, 7 weeks, 1 Story: A 7 week long collaborative arts event; a mass game of consequences written and voted on by all of India. 6 hours left to submit the next part of the story. Link in bio ☝? #ukindia2017 #saptanstories #illustration #ink #drawing #art #story #feltpen #sketch #comic #london #india #shortstory #illustrate

A post shared by Janine Shroff (@scritchproductions) on Aug 6, 2017 at 10:37am PDT

I’m very proud to be one of 7 artists that are part of @inbritish’s Saptan Stories. It’s 1 story, in 7 parts, illustrated by 7 different artists, split between India and the U.K! ?? ?? This is my interpretation of the first line: “I found it hard to get over my broken heart, I thought I never would. Then one night, by the moonlit river, something happened that changed everything.” You, the public, get to write and decide what comes next! Check out #SaptanStories and @inbritish’s Insta account to get involved!! 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 #graphicdesigncommunity #designarf #illustration #? #adobephotoshop #designspiration

A post shared by Gavin Strange (@jamfactory) on Aug 7, 2017 at 3:37am PDT

This is my first #illustration for #saptanstories with #aardmananimations and #britishcouncil. Stay in touch for more information on this on going project and sign up to my mailing list for a chance to buy the original piece ?www.mrmead.co.uk/contact #illustration #illustrationconsequences #monochromeart #penandink #penandinkartist #pen #ukindia2017 #fineliner #blackandwhiteart

A post shared by Mr Mead (@mrmeadart) on Aug 10, 2017 at 6:41am PDT

And inspiration comes in the funniest of places.

Join @morbidillusion as she takes over the @inbritish account for a look into her exciting routine as an artist #SaptanStories. Stay tuned for 7 new artworks. ・・・ Hi everyone! ?I will be taking over the @inbritish account for this week and post daily updates about my routine and artwork for Saptan stories. I am starting my day to the beautiful sunrise at the Neelankarai beach ? along with Foxy and Indru ??. Join me to find out more about my work. Follow @inbritish to know more. #saptanstories

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 11, 2017 at 10:18pm PDT

Hi everyone! ? I @morbidillusion will be taking over @inbritish Instagram account this week to share snippets from my routine and sneak peeks for #saptanstories. Here’s a doodle from today afternoon, where I inspire from reality ?and a bit of imagination✨. #ukindia2017

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 12, 2017 at 3:00am PDT

This is my 2nd illustration for #SaptanStories, bringing to life the second line that was written by Siddhant Nagrath, a member of the public: “As the moonbeams danced to a heavenly beat upon the silvery water, I gazed to the stars and contemplated my future. It looked bleak on introspection, when out of the water arose an apparition.”. Saptan Stories is a joint project by @inbritish & @aardmananimations, which is a Story, written in 7 parts, over 7 weeks, illustration by 7 Indian and British artists. You can write the next line, search ‘Saptan Stories’ for more info! 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 #graphicdesign #illustration #noise #spectre #ghoul #apparition #adobephotoshop #graphicdesigncommunity #designarf #designspiration

A post shared by Gavin Strange (@jamfactory) on Aug 12, 2017 at 8:05am PDT

From nothing, erupts a hand, a head, a foot; An entire body.

Hello again! Rainy ☔️ Sunday mornings are best time to sketch. – @morbidillusion #saptanstories #ukindia2017

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 12, 2017 at 9:58pm PDT

Collectively, we run through rings and blazes of fire.

Part 3 of saptan stories finished last night – Sky took a little too long but fun to colour. See the full illustration on Saturday! Click on the link in the bio to read the full story and see all the other artist’s work #illustration #comic #story #drawing #colour #ukindia2017 #saptanstories #wip #ink #london

A post shared by Janine Shroff (@scritchproductions) on Aug 18, 2017 at 3:30am PDT

And then the workspace looks a lot more unstructured in its beauty and creativity.

⚡️ @jamfactory Insta Takeover ⚡️ This is me at my @aardmananimations desk, working on my #SaptanStories illustration! I love being surrounded by ‘things’ – toys, pictures, photographs and more. I find it inspiring to constantly soak up all this creative goodness surrounding me. I also love having multiple screens, the more the better!! 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 #workplace #mydesk #creativespaces #aardlife

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 18, 2017 at 3:31am PDT

Suddenly, overcoming those demons takes on shapes and sizes that can be put to pen and paper.

“It was a woman, as translucent as fog and as ethereal as a dream. She smiled at me and whispered in a voice as soft as a dewdrop “Love once lost can be regained, but are you willing to pay the price?”” — Ayan Pal, Week 3 winning line. The illustrations for this week’s winning line are here. You can still ‘submit’ your line for the story by Sunday, 10 pm. Simply visit the link in our profile section & be a part of this lovely creative journey with us. . . #SaptanStories #UKIndia2017 #AardmanAnimations #Arts #Culture #ArtistsofInstagram #Writing #Shortstories #Storytelling #Photography #Artists #India #Beauty #CreativeWriting #Authors #Sketches #Doodles #Inspiration @aardmananimations

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 18, 2017 at 11:50pm PDT

Hi everyone! My name is Janine shroff @scritchproductions and I’ll be taking over the @inbritish account and doing a few posts daily about my routine. I’m a designer, illustrator and chronic procrastinator. Join me to find out more and follow @inbritish to know the latest. #SaptanStories #illustration #ukindia2017

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 24, 2017 at 1:19am PDT

Fuzzy pencil lines taking shape for 4th line #saptanstories with @inbritish @aardmananimations

A post shared by Saloni Sinha (@morbidillusion) on Aug 24, 2017 at 3:25am PDT

Guidance arrives from all who believe in us.

Saptan stories work in progress. Nugget critiqued the lighter purple and felt it needed darker tones. Exhausted by this he then took a nap. It’s hard work being a critic #wip #workinprogress #saptanstories #aardmananimations #ukindia2017 #illustration #drawing #cat #sketch #ink #feltpen

A post shared by Janine Shroff (@scritchproductions) on Aug 31, 2017 at 3:27am PDT

The past and the future merge to create the colourful present.

Saptan stories week 5 #wip #workinprogress #illustration #drawing #ink #saptanstories #ukindia2017

A post shared by Janine Shroff (@scritchproductions) on Aug 31, 2017 at 2:48pm PDT

Penultimate line! The story moves on… The last line to be submitted this Sunday. How will you end the story? “These are your memories” whispered the apparition, now a shimmering silhouette “for your love to renew, you must begin anew. If you don’t wish your heart to rust, you must choose to forget the past!” Submit the ending https://saptan-stories.britishcouncil.org.in/artists/janine-shroff #illustration #drawing #saptanstories #britishcouncil #ukindia2017 #story #storytelling #art #comic link also in bio ☝??

A post shared by Janine Shroff (@scritchproductions) on Sep 9, 2017 at 7:53am PDT

And time flies by.

A #timelapsevideo of me drawing last weeks #saptanstories ?? sorry it’s not the right way up!! #aardmananimations #ukindia2017 #britishcouncil #britishcouncilindia #timelapse #drawingvideo #processvideo

A post shared by Mr Mead (@mrmeadart) on Sep 11, 2017 at 7:59am PDT

Art, at the end of the day, is most beautiful when it brings together the collective efforts of many.

Drawing (with my left hand) at my desk. I have loads of sketchbooks full of ideas and diaries – Gemma ✏️ #saptanstories #ukindia2017

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 4, 2017 at 9:41pm PDT

Hi everyone! @gemmacorrell here – I’m taking over the @inbritish Instagram to share my daily routine and some sneaky peeks of my #saptanstories art! ?? ?? My mornings begin with coffee and sketching, at home or at one of my favorite coffee shops – today I’m at @timelesscoffee ☕️ with my pug Bella. #ukindia2017

A post shared by BritishCouncilIndia (@inbritish) on Aug 4, 2017 at 10:50am PDT

Join us in the final week of Saptan Stories to vote on the final line that will inspire the last set of illustrations.

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?