There are always good times behind all the hustle and bustle in an architect’s life. But how often are they brought to light beyond the bubble of this profession? Getting published on portals subscribed widely by the general public like The Logical Indian, MensXP, and ScoopWhoop, comics by Anuj Kale’s ‘The Leewardists’ are perhaps a reminder of the stories architects would experience. 

“The Leewardists is a platform to know about the importance of Design, Architecture, Sustainability and Urban Design through the medium of Comics. It is easiest way to convey complex issues from ages to my viewers”, says Anuj, who finished under-grad and post-grad in Architecture and Urban Design at the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad.

In current times the internet is fashioned with smart ways of conveying information. Videos, podcasts and memes spread cultural content virally, even more than websites, blogs, and messengers. But the long known concept of comics is an ever adorable way of storytelling. With nearly 300 comics published and four collaborations at hand including ArchDaily and arquitetapage, Anuj saw comics as a medium to convey messages, at a young age.

“Superheroes from Marvel and DC universes and even our own Pran Comics are trying to convey a message through good storytelling visuals”, says Anuj. This understanding reflected in his academic presentations and helped develop his comical skills. During his short stint as an Urban Designer, he understood how fundamental social issues were ignored and blogged about it for six months, before quitting his job to take up comics full time.

“I started teaching as a visiting faculty at CEPT and realized that colleges and the education system were not up to the mark. When presenting Urban Design subjects with comical themes in the studio, students really connected and this inspired me to show Architecture to the world in the same theme”, says Anuj, and this led to creating The Leewardists.

‘The Leewardists’ sounds unusual yet unique. “This quirky moniker tells that the windward side always has enough rains, sunlight and wind throughout the year. The Leeward side though has no sunlight, rain and wind. It is barren and dry. We call it the ‘neglected’ side. Society too has two sides, the happy windward side and the neglected leeward side. We are ‘The Leewardists’ and we inspire change in the society’s leeward side.”