By Team Travel Secrets
Viswaprasad Raju is a man of dualities. By day, he navigates the high-pressure world of advertising in Hyderabad. But when the suitcase opens, the sketchbooks come out. An avid traveler, a fan of Wimbledon, and a master of pen & ink, Viswaprasad doesn’t just visit places—he captures their soul on paper. We sat down with the author of three books and a soon-to-be screenwriter to uncover 20 of his travel secrets.
The Artist’s Perspective – Why the Journey Matters:
For Viswaprasad, travel isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the vantage point.
1. What is the Ultimate View you’ve come across?
At an elevation of 2,164 ft, the Grimsel Pass, which connects the upper valley of the River Aare with that of the Rhône in the Swiss Alps, is one of the finest in Europe. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness the ‘River of Clouds’—a meteorological phenomenon where vapor swells due to inversion. Even without the clouds, navigating those hairpin bends while taking in the mountain air and gorgeous scenery is pure awe.
2. The aisle or the window seat?
I am a Window Seat traveler, without a doubt. It’s where I open new windows in my head. It’s the perfect spot to reflect through the glass, watch the world drift past, and—most importantly—to read, write, and sketch while ignoring annoying co-passengers!
3. The most sketchable place on the planet?
- London, UK: Nothing sums up the city better than what ‘Monocle’s Guide to London’ has to say: The UK capital is at once a world-beating centre of culture, art, and creativity and a confusing mix of winding lanes and village-like neighbourhoods where time seems to have stood still. It’s fun to capture the stillness and chaos as the city beats to its own rhythm. 2,000 years of history, iconic museums, royal gardens, the world’s greatest literary hub, sports and music capital, and more. All waiting to be sketched.
- Central India’s Wildlife National Parks: Tadoba and Kanha are my go-to getaways. Whenever I can snatch some time, you’ll find me in the woods, rarely taking pictures but immersing myself in the serenity, and capturing the wild through my sketches.
The Global Palette:
From the heritage of Sri Lanka to the efficiency of Scandinavia, some places leave a permanent mark.
4. One country/city that surprised you most amazingly was?
Galle, Sri Lanka. It actually inspired me to pen my first screenplay, The Ceylon Drafts. You’ll hopefully see soon how this place mesmerized me enough to write a whole film about it.
5. If you got a free ticket to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d hop on a plane to Scandinavia. I want to experience the ‘Scandi’ way of life—the Nordic approach to design, the focus on balance, the connection with nature, and their approach to ‘real’ happiness.
6. The longest – or most wonderful – road trip you’ve ever taken?
The drive from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope. It’s not long, only two hours, but it’s packed with the views for the Table Mountain National Park, local Fishing Villages, Shipwrecks, Wildlife, Beaches, History, Botany, Geography, and the two Oceans meeting. It’s one of the most incredible road trips I’ve ever embarked upon.
7. The maximum number of stamps on your passport is from which country?
My passport has a recurring crush on Thailand. Between the endless TVC shoots and a print campaign on the horizon, the country has officially become my ‘sticky’ workspace—clinging to my calendar as stubbornly as a plate of Mango Sticky Rice.
8. The roughest terrain you’ve ever trodden?
Ladakh. In its rawness lies its beauty.
Flavors, Frights, and Frequent Flights:
Travel is often a mix of culinary highs and adrenaline-fueled lows.
9. One memorable meal you experienced on a journey?
In Singapore, we stumbled upon Gajalee restaurant—the crabs and mutton sukka became our daily ritual. In Mumbai, it’s always Mahesh Lunch Home for the Bombay Duck Fry along with their other seafood delicacies.
10. A hair-raising moment from your travels?
While traveling to Shirdi, a gang of dacoits blocked the road with fallen trees as traps and smashed our bus windows. Our driver managed to dodge the situation and navigate through it. A truly hair-raising moment!
11. What is the one place you’ll never go back to?
Genting Highlands, Malaysia. Tacky, touristy, and a terrible place to be.
12. Your favourite airport?
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is my favorite. In my book, it’s one of the finest in the world; it’s Hyderabad’s pride. The drive there on the outer ring road is a trip in itself. I often check into the Novotel there for a staycation or a leisurely lunch. It’s more than an airport—it’s a world of its own.
The Traveler’s Toolkit:
Memories etched in ink and lessons learned from years on the road.
13. One golden rule you’ve learned as an avid traveler would be?
Always check your travel documents. Have multiple hard copies, copies in your email, and copies on your phone.
14. Besides Maps, what travel app is an absolute essential for you?
Aside from Maps, Lonely Planet Guides are my absolute essentials.
15. One travel mistake you’ll never make again?
Carrying unnecessary baggage. Always try to travel light.
16. The most interesting thing you’ve brought back from your travels?
I usually flick coasters and, sometimes, I buy cheap souvenirs (the tackier, the better). Needless to say, capturing the places, the people via pen & ink on sketchbooks, that’s the most interesting thing for me that I bring back home from a trip.
17. What’s the first thing you look for in a hotel room?
Room with a VIEW.
18. One gift from India you enjoy taking for your friends abroad?
Some fine stationery from some fine places, such as Good Earth.
19. One movie or book that made you want to travel?
For me, it’s travel magazines. Conde Nast Traveller, Monocle, and, of course, Travel Secrets.
20: Fill in the blank: I always carry a ……. in my bag
Sketchbooks. Loads of them, in fact.
We at TS love talking to fellow travelholics like Viswaprasad Raju and Priya Hunt! Follow this space for more such fun conversations.
