One of the favourite pastimes of Nawabs and their Begums was to smoke Hookah. The Hookah is said to have originated during the Safavid Dynasty of the Persian Empire. Hookah made its debut in India during the Mughal era as a part of Unani Medicine System. It became a symbolic representation of the Awadhi culture and the Nawabi rule. It is traditionally smoked after a meal and during social gatherings.
I was commissioned by Sands of Time Restocafe, Bangalore, to create an artwork for their lounge themed around the tradition of smoking Hookah.
Mockups from Proposal
Credits - Tornos India