You don’t need expensive art supplies or a fancy tablet to find a moment of peace. Sometimes, all it takes is a pen. The sheer accessibility of doodling is drawing people in, making it a growing form of mindfulness. By turning everyday surfaces into unexpected canvases, professionals, students, and parents are rediscovering the quiet joy of putting ink to paper.
‘It’s the joy of creating that matters’ According to Tejo Guna, a city-based sketching and doodle artist, it is about putting simple thoughts onto a surface, whether through patterns or everyday observations. “It doesn’t require much — just something to draw with and a surface to begin, and that’s what makes it accessible to so many,” he says.
“I doodle everywhere, be it on eggs, leaves, or even fruits — I just love exploring different surfaces. Doodling isn’t limited to paper; it can be done on almost anything,” Tejo shares.
“Over the years, since my college days in 2015, it has been my way of creating and expressing thoughts. Since taking it up full-time, especially through community programmes, I’ve come across many people who have started again—it often reminds them of something simple they used to do as children in school, and they enjoy going back to it,” he adds.
Picture credit: doodlekabra
‘Doodling is simple, relaxing, and for everyone’ “It all began as a hobby in 2022, and I balanced my corporate job with freelance doodle work until December last year. I’m now pursuing it full-time. Over the past few years, I’ve conducted workshops across corporate offices and 10-12 schools in Hyderabad, who have introduced it in their curriculum. What stands out is how easily people take to it — working professionals and students alike seem to enjoy the process, often finding it relaxing and engaging. Participants range from as young as five to over 60, showing how it resonates across age groups,” says Atul Kabra, a Hyderabad-based doodle artist.
A playful doodle of Vijay Deverakonda’s family, created by Atul.
‘It’s a space to slow down and create’ “It’s always refreshing to doodle. The first session I attended at my office last year instantly took me back to my school days, and since then, I find myself doodling whenever I get the time. With something as simple as paper and a pencil or even markers — you can just start. It feels nice to just imagine and draw what comes to mind,” says Harini Rao, a city-based business owner, adding, “Life can get so busy and exhausting, and while people often say art is therapy, I truly feel that way every time I doodle.
‘More than just a creative break’“I’ve been part of 10 doodle workshops at my workplace since 2024, where we doodle with colleague and sometimes with kids and their parents too. Honestly, it’s such a refreshing break from work. It gives you a chance to switch off, and be creatibve. Plus, it’s a great way to meet like-mided people and make new connections,” Sanju Priya adds. What draws people to doodling:
- Helps reduce stress and feel more relaxed
- Easy to pick up — no prior skill needed
- Encourages creativity and self-expression
- Can be done anywhere, anytime
- Suitable for all age groups
– Biswajit Talukdar
