Today, we’re excited to introduce you to the wonderfully talented Sharanya Kunnath! If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the cover of a book or found yourself lost in the whimsical world of a picture book, chances are you’ve seen Sharanya’s work. She’s an illustrator, graphic designer, and now, a picture book author whose stories and art come alive with warmth, beauty, and a deep connection to nature.
Sharanya was born in Doha, Qatar, and spent much of her childhood moving between countries, living in Bengaluru, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai before finally settling back in Bengaluru in 2019. Though she originally hails from Palakkad in Kerala, she has never lived in the state, instead finding a connection to her roots through her travels and cultural experiences. She’s traveled across continents, but her heart seems to be deeply rooted in her homeland’s rich landscapes. Now, as a proud resident of Bengaluru, Sharanya finds daily inspiration in the natural world around her.
From Graphic Design to Writing and Illustrating
“I enjoyed writing in university (all academic, not creative) and was told I was good at it, although reading my own writing always made me feel a little embarrassed. I’d known I wanted to illustrate for longer than I knew I wanted to write”, reminisces Sharanya.
ANJALY FRANCIS
Anjaly is the founder of Common Room and a Cambridge- certified teacher of English. Her childhood goal was to read every book in the children’s section of the library. Through Common Room, she wishes to inspire and nurture young minds by providing a platform to explore and develop their writing skills, foster creativity, and ignite a love for storytelling.
After completing her education, Sharanya started her career at an ad agency in Dubai. Although she met some wonderful people there, she quickly realized that the corporate world wasn’t for her. The daily routine left her feeling unfulfilled, and she knew she couldn’t continue without pursuing her true passion—illustration. So, less than a year into her first full-time job, she made the brave decision to switch to fields, and thank goodness she did! It was a leap of faith, but it allowed her the freedom to explore her creative interests and gradually build a diverse portfolio of illustrations that truly resonated with her and others.
Sharanya’s first experience as a book illustrator came with Temple Tales by Sudha G. Tilak, a project that delved into the fascinating world of Indian temples, covering everything from architecture and food to dance, art, and nature. It remains one of her most cherished projects. Since then, she has illustrated a range of other notable works, including Gods, Giants and the Geography of India by Nalini Ramachandran, which made it to the Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize Longlist in 2022, Let’s Go Adventuring by Supriya Sehgal, They Made What?! They Found What?! by Shweta Taneja, The Birth Lottery by Shehan Karunatilaka, and many others.
The Magic of Lakshmi’s Little Bird
Lakshmi’s Little Bird, published by Hachette India, is Sharanya’s debut as a picture book author, and it is nothing short of magical. Set in the rural landscapes of Karnataka, the story is inspired by Sharanya’s love for cows and her belief that, no matter how tough life gets, things always have a way of working out in the end.
“I like to think of my writing as whimsical,” Sharanya says, describing her style. “The illustrations are a mix of earth-bound and surrealist, and creating them was very meditative. I hope this calmness comes through to readers.”
The inspiration for Lakshmi’s Little Bird came to Sharanya unexpectedly, during a moment of reflection as she considered what to submit for her commissioning editor’s call for picture book manuscripts. The idea struck her like a flash, a serendipitous moment in what she describes as a series of “happy fortuitous accidents” that have shaped her career. “I let my work take its own path and have very little to do with where it goes,” she admits, embracing the spontaneity that often drives her creative process.
Her deep affection for cows, which she has encountered and petted often since moving to Bengaluru, was at the heart of the story’s creation. The writing, she reflects, came from a place where love for something and the desire to share it with others beautifully intersected. This fusion of passion and storytelling is what gives Lakshmi’s Little Bird its unique, heartfelt charm.
Her illustrations in the book use only three colors—pink, blue, and yellow—yet each page feels like a world of its own, full of quiet moments that encourage readers to pause and reflect.
Drawing Inspiration from Life
Sharanya draws much of her inspiration from old religious art, rural landscapes, and temple architecture. Whether it’s the repetition of motifs in ancient art or the serene beauty of a countryside cow, she finds endless fascination in how life cycles and repeats itself.
“In general I feel inspired by life”, she explains, “ not necessarily in terms of subject matter, but in how life ebs, flows and cycles in on itself; patterns and lessons repeating and reminding us of things, if only we pay attention.”
Her ability to capture these moments of stillness and reflection is part of what makes her work so special. She believes that art, like life, doesn’t need to be rushed. Her creative process is slow and deliberate, allowing ideas to marinate before they blossom into something beautiful.
Sharanya’s Writing Process
Sharanya’s approach to writing and illustrating is refreshingly organic, devoid of rigid daily routines or set structures. “I wish I could say I have a daily practice when it comes to my art. I don’t,” she admits. Instead, her creative process unfolds in phases, interspersed with what she fondly calls “marination time”—moments that others may view as unproductive but are essential for her artistic growth. While she enjoys routine in other areas of her life, her work flows more freely, untethered to any strict patterns.
Sharanya believes in being open to life’s inspirations, understanding that creativity doesn’t always arrive on demand. “It would be greedy to think you will always have ideas and be able to churn out consistently meaningful work,” she reflects. For her, the key lies in patience—waiting for inspiration to strike and being ready when it does, rather than forcing the creative process.
A Message for Young Readers
Sharanya has a special message for all the young creatives out there: “Never stop looking and noticing. Whether it’s the stripes on a new beetle you find on a walk or the pattern on a friend’s dress. Always be curious and interested. You never know what will make it into your work, whether you realise how it got there or not. Noticing is also fun for its own sake; learn to be still and receptive.”
Fun Facts about Sharanya
When Sharanya isn’t working on her next project, you can find her tending to her garden, creating handmade jewelry, or exploring the natural world around her. Lately, she’s been fascinated by identifying different insects and birds—her newest hobby!
She’s also an avid lover of all things DIY, with many projects in various stages of completion, from embroidery to clay modeling. Oh, and she’s exceptionally good at making her bed each morning—something she proudly admits!
Where to Find Sharanya’s Work
You can follow Sharanya’s artistic journey on Instagram (@sharanyakunnath) and keep an eye out for updates on her upcoming projects. Her picture book, Lakshmi’s Little Bird, is available at all major bookstores and online. You can also grab a copy with international shipping at Midland Books.
Common Room is excited to announce the launch of the “Make Your Own Picture Book” course in collaboration with Ms. Sharanya Kunnath. This immersive 6-day program features an illustration workshop led by Sharanya, complemented by engaging sessions on story writing delivered by one of Common Room’s experienced teachers. Participants will also have the unique opportunity to join an exclusive ‘Meet the Author’ session with Sharanya herself. If you’re interested in learning more about this course, feel free to leave a comment below!
