Taj - The people

I have worked in a number of organisations and nowhere did I feel more at home that I did in Mumbai. The team at the Taj Landsend was one of the best teams I have ever worked with.This series is dedicated to all my co-workers there. These were all developed during the one great year I spent at the Taj Landsend Mumbai. Sachin, Ibu, Amby, Krits, Annie, Rimjhim, Nitin, Vaibhya, Neha, Payal, Feroze, Penaaz, Caren, Priya, Cyrus and everybody else who made TLE the place it was, this one is for you!!

There are bosses and there are bosses. But there are some seniors in some organisations that never let you feel bossed over. The next one was prepared as a tattoo concept for one such senior of mine: Kritika.  The idea was to design a tattoo for the back of her neck. Its a rudimentary effort and one of my earliest attempts but one which I am personally very fond of.

Kritika- Tattoo Concept

Another sweet friend and boss was Ambika Gurung or Amby as she was more commonly known. This little package was the apple of everyones eye and her work was as pretty as she was. Soft spoken and docile at most times, you still would not want to cross her path as she had the ability to be as deadly as Lucy Liu. Though she has moved to the United States since a couple of years now, she has remained close to all of us in the team. I think I can say it on behalf of the entire team at Taj Landsend, We miss you Amby!!

Amby

While working at the Taj Landsend, an event occurred in Mumbai that shook our country and the world. Being closely associated with the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, the shock-waves reached us too and left indelible marks on us.  We lost a lot that day but there was one member on our team who had lost a lot more. Pradnya Ingale was moved to the Taj Landsend for a few months as a temporary re-assignment after  the attacks and the way she handled herself was exemplary. These next two pieces were made for her. The arrows in the first signifies her ability to move from goal to goal and the second piece is for her ability to be visible through the chaos around her. I had a peculiar fascination for post-it notes at this point in time and so much of the stuff I did was on small post-its.

Pradnya- Moving forward

Pradnya- Emerging from the Darkness

Guest Relations is a much maligned sub-department. Most people think that all the Guest Relations Executives (GREs)  need to do is stand around and look pretty in and around the lobby. Once you have seen what goes into this tough job, you can only stand and admire the way they stay calm and cool around guests even though there are a million things going on in their minds. And then there are some who go beyond what they are expected to do and help out all over sharing responsibilities with the rest of the team. This piece was made for one such friend and GRE, Rimjhim Jain. I admit, it took me a long time to get around to doing this one but I think in the end, it came out okay!! 

Rimjhim - From the Skies

The next few pieces are for a part of our Front Office team that was very close to me: The telephones department. Away from the spotlight, this team is the life-force of any good hotel and the team at the Taj Landsend was no different!! I was and always shall be proud to have been associated with this team of hardworking and strong young ladies. 

Sarika Lakhwani!! One of the kindest souls I have ever met, soft-spoken, innocent and determined, Sarika took me by surprise with the quality of her work. 

Sarika - Maintaining the Balance

Sundeep Kaur Saini!! True to her roots, this feisty Sardarni was always ready to fight. However, she was also one of the first people to come back and rectify things, a total softie!! Post-its again!!

Sundeep - Bright Sparks

Sun-deep 

Caren Vaz is a perfect example of how you can take the Mangy out of Mangalore but can't take the Mangalore out of the Mangy!! Funny and Smart, Olive Oyl in the flesh!!

Shop till she Drops!!

Skinny and Bright

Again this one ends with a quiz of sorts!! Let me know whats written here and what do you see!! 

Once again, I look forward to comments, feedback and suggestions for improvement!! Signing off, Cheers and Keep Creating!!