Some colour for my lens!

Recently, I visited an arts village to capture some colour for my lens. Here is what I was able to lay my hands on ! Neatly coloured terracotta and ceramic objects neatly arranged to woo the customer. Name a colour, motif and form and you will find it there! Amazing maze of creative pursuits!

North and South brought together !

Sunday evening was special. Hyderabad experienced Jugalbandi of two singers, Hindustani musician Shubha Mudgal and Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri. The duo is lavishly applauded for the breath taking jugalbandi performance in various parts of India. Now it was turn of Hyderabad. The hall was jam packed with youngsters, old aunts and uncles and even children to catch coordination of power packed women! Shubha was accompanied by Anees Pradhan on the tabla and Sudhir Nayak on the harmonium, while Bombay Jayasri with Embar Kannan on the violin and Poongulum Subrahmaniam on the mridangam. Here is a detailed analysis of their duo performance (including their styles and ragas) for music critics, but for me it was an exhilarating performance.

I would like to specially mention Anees and Subrahmaniam’s coordination that left the audience mesmerized.

Bright Morning !

The night before, it had rained heavily for hours. Occasionally, in between the thunders seemed to convey the anger of “Rain Gods”. One could feel the breeze rattling through the open window panes and guzzling through the house.

This morning the sky is clear and full of bright clouds. They are arranged to form a beautiful mosaic of white, murky formless objects.




In the background, I can hear “Aadat” by Atif Aslam. He’s such a darling and the time he reaches the climax of his song; all the clouds sway in a fashion that matches his pitch. Here are a handful of clouds that I could collect for all of you.

With love - for Anne

I just completed “Diary of a young Girl” by Anne Frank. It is a simple yet profound compilation of letters by Anne Frank during World War II. It describes her experiences in hiding at “Secret Annexe” along with 7 others during the Nazi occupation of Holland. There have been several stories of human faith, bravery and struggles, but nothing has moved me like this.





It is easy to relate to Anne’s deeper thoughts and the first thing that strikes me is “Why not make it a compulsory reading for middle schools in India? Throughout our education, the teachers make several attempts to stuff us with facts and figures of history, which are usually crammed by students to reproduce without analysis. I till date regret missing the deeper linkages to those history lessons. I must admit that all the facts that supported the Nazis autocracies have failed to make the impact on mind and soul. But this one made it in a single stroke.




A young girl’s common experience during her youth about friends, love and dreams become profound due to the existing political situation and make it easy for the reader to identify with the grave situation. A must read for all those budding young minds who wish to delve deeper on lessons of compassion, brotherhood and human rights! And for me, I wish I get an opportunity to visit the Anne Frank museum to pay my tribute to the courageous woman!

Some fences are simply adorable !

Getting my macros right !