Indian Diary 1952-53 by Edward Ardizzone was first published in 1984 by The Bodley Head in conjunction with the estate of the late author.

Ardizzone (1900-1979) was a prolific artist who captivated the imagination of children and adults alike with his wonderful illustrations for books for adults and most notably, children throughout the mid twentieth century.

Few, however, realise he was commissioned to ‘draw the war’ when he was posted to Italy to capture the reality of soldiering during the Second World War. His remarkable portrait of those soldiers won him many plaudits and this form of artistic journalism would continue when he was commissioned to visit India in 1952.

Ardizzone was invited by UNESCO to travel to India and participate in their Seminar for the Production of Audio-Visual Aids for Fundamental Education. Quite the mouthful. Along with three others he spent three months in Delhi and a further three in Bombay and whilst there appears to be no remaining records of the seminars we have at least, Ardizzone to thank for keeping a diary.

At the same time, Ardizzone submitted a drawing for Punch magazine, which, at that time, was edited by Malcolm Muggeridge who had also spent time living and working in India and would write the introduction for this book.

What follows is a typically old colonial style British account of life in India; food, heat, women and annoyances! Ardizzone was quite the character, he had a taste for good food and wine and an eye for the ladies, all of which gets mentioned throughout his diary: ‘Dine at Gaylord’s with Norman. Expensive but quite good Chinese food. Two very pretty Indian girls at the next table’.

But as much as this is a somewhat enviable account of a life now in the distant past, it wasn’t as exotic as one might expect. He was short of money and eager to get funds wired over to him and the conditions he met with will have undoubtedly proved a challenge but for the most part he met it all with good humour apart from one encounter over a design he had made for a UNESCO pamphlet: “Terrible eye, ghastly ear. Frightfully English, only stopped it being used just in time”-I attempted to confess it was me who designed it but she (Mrs Wasi) refused to believe it so I gave up the attempt.’

India is such a beautiful and fascinating country to capture and Ardizzone gave us a unique perspective through his charming sketches. Short on landscape but rich in portraits, he gave the western reader a taste of the pace of life on the subcontinent, managing to capture so much with simple lines that draw the reader into both the hustle and bustle and the tranquility in equal measure.

Further reading:

Edward Ardizzone by Gabriel White

The New Windmill Series edition of Huckleberry Finn

Sketches for Friends

David Gentleman’s India

James Cameron’s ‘An Indian Summer’