Anecdotes from a Metro commuter's life

For six months Rajat Mahanti has been a regular Metro commuter. Every day he travels from Far­idabad to Delhi to collect and drop cheques related to his family business.

One day while travelling along with his friend, he came across an interesting guy, somebody from a rural area, who asked Mahanti for directions to a toilet in the Metro train.

“My friend I couldn’t resist laughing as he asked us, ‘train mein sauchalaya hai kya’ (Is there a toilet in the Metro train,” reminisced Mahanti. “It was a funny moment, thinking that there is no place to stand in Metro and this guy was asking about a loo.
But the situation gave me an idea too. Why not make illustrations on Delhi Metro, where every day you come across so many instances which leave you smiling and many times annoyed,” he tells Metrolife.

Enthused by his idea, Mahanti decided to travel on all Metro lines – yellow, green, blue and purple. “The situation is almost same in all Metros. You can find lovebirds, also people who very specifically stand near doors and those who are not willing to offer seat to ladies in general compartment. What brings a smile on our face are those who wear sunglasses even in underground Metro trains and those who constantly stare at their reflection on glass windows,” Mahanti regales Metrolife.

The 19-year-old, who holds a diploma in designing, was fascinated by the rush at Rajiv Chowk. “One has to struggle while boarding and de-boarding the train at Rajiv Chowk Metro station. Therefore, in my illustration series I have tried to present a sarcastic remark as to how boarding the Metro becomes a task of glory,” says Mahanti, who has
created a page Absolute Desi on Facebook where he has posted all these illustrations.
It took more than a month to complete all the designing work.

The page was started almost two weeks ago and within two days more than 5,000 people started following it. Social networking from all acr­oss the country posted their comments and shared Mahanti’s work. “This is something which people can easily relate to. They are a part of it. The success of the page has, however, given
me a chance to promote my other work like T-shirts and posters having interesting designs and quotes,” he says.

Mahanti has no intention to restrict himself to Delhi Metro illustrations. “These days I am working on the life of an ordinary person living in the city. I am still framing the ideas and the result will be out soon,” says Mahanti.