'A toon a day keeps worries away': Sameera’s Salt and Sambar are new rage on social media

Visakhapatnam: Everyone loves comics and illustrations, but how many of us love the typical South Indian Telugu comics which depict our daily life?

From sketching down her daily life activities to drawing live wedding scenes, 28-year-old Sameera Maruvada, popularly known as Salt and Sambar on social media, has become a storyteller through her comic books.

Before finally settling in Visakhapatnam, this Cartoonist and Illustrator tried career opportunities in Hyderabad and Goa. Her love for the city brought her back. She is now ready to set up her studio, which was her long-time dream. Currently, her live illustrations during weddings are the talk of the town.

Engineer turned Cartoonist

Sameera pursued B.Tech in Electronics and Communication and studied Interior Design. Having the habit of writing every minute detail in her life, she started a YouTube channel and used to make fine art tutorials in 2015.

"I tried everything possible to bring out the creativity in me. Back then, there was no such culture in the field, especially in India. No one saw potential in comics and illustrations. During my college days, I used to film art tutorials after my college time at night," said Sameera.

"I did not go for my campus selections. In those days, it was a risky decision I took, but now I feel great about where I am," she added.

Salt and Sambar

In 2019, when Sameera thought of digital art, she got the idea to portray her life through comics and illustrations, South India- Telugu comics. "No one was portraying Telugu comics. I thought I could give it a try. That's how 'Salt and Sambar emerged", Sameera said.

Through Salt and Sambar, Sameera started comics that are intensely South Indian based, connecting to the common man. Her Telugu-themed comics are a big hit among the audience. "I have always been a writer and storyteller before being an illustrator. For years, I documented my journals. I picked up the skill of illustrations and comics through Salt and Sambar", said Sameera.

"I was searching for a user name like idly-sambar. Then I remembered a dialogue from the movie Aha Na Pellanta, by director and screenwriter Jandhyala, where it says 'Ayyagari salt ki sambar ki droham cheyalenu'. Somehow the name came from that dialogue."

No one believed me

For the last nine years, Sameera nursed a dream to have an art studio. Now her dream has come true as she is all set to own a studio, finally. "Back then, no one believed me. People used to ask non-sensible questions. I moved to Hyderabad and then Goa to live independently in the last two years. But I always wanted to come back to Vizag," said Sameera, who is starting her studio.

"Many people do not understand that creativity is also a profession. When I made a first-ever comic calendar in 2022 and wanted to sell it in offline bookstores. People questioned me about my profession. That disappointed me a lot," said Sameera, who does freelance illustration work.

When the whole world was not with her, Sameera's mother supported her with every idea she came out with. "I was a nerd in school, a CBSC topper. My family knew I was into something, but they did not understand. But my mother is my biggest support. One day, I went to her and said I wanted to open an Instagram page, and she just said, ok, do it. That very evening, I opened the Salt and Sambar page on Instagram," said Sameera.

Sameera has also recently made an illustration for her mother's retirement party as a teacher. Those eco-friendly bags were printed with an illustration by Sameera, on the theme Education.

Vizag Diaries

For the love of the city, Sameera recently started the Vizag Diaries series to portray Visakhapatnam's culture and heritage. "The city is changing over the years as it is getting bigger. Many old memories are getting lost. Through my Vizag Diaries, I started illustrating my experiences and moments in the city I live in", Sameera added.

Live sketching on wedding

Taking back home the memories enjoyed at your favorite person's weddings, Sameera has opened up her job to sketch live illustrations of the weddings.

"During a fund-raising program, people asked if I could do live sketching for weddings. I started with a few weddings, and it became an instant hit. People can take back home an illustration of their moments at the weddings," said Sameera.