I look back to count the most inspirational moments of life.. And I cannot stop thinking about the dew drops, simple flowers, blue sky, cool breeze and the life sounds echoing in my ears...Appearing as they are !! No pretensions !!
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Nature - Inspiration at its best !!
I look back to count the most inspirational moments of life.. And I cannot stop thinking about the dew drops, simple flowers, blue sky, cool breeze and the life sounds echoing in my ears...Appearing as they are !! No pretensions !!
She was at an arm’s length from me, walking along the shore silently. My eyes followed her, wondering the calmness in her so alien to her age.
After walking a long way, she suddenly dropped herself down and with a free fall sat down splashing in the waves that kissed the shore.
Not to mention that it inspired me as well, to shed my things and splash with her. But only after I captured her unconditional joy in my lens!
Stone Language !
The subject, I hated most during my Architecture days was beyond doubt “History of Architecture”. Our smart teachers used to proudly announce before the lunch break that post lunch will comprise of “Sketching” session for the subject “History of Architecture”. That was enough for half of students to bunk the post lunch session. Rest of us filled ourselves with heavy meals just to be able to doze off in the sketching session and pretend sharpening our sets of HB, 2B pencils. A few of us blindly copied the motifs cramming the styles of Architecture and benevolent rulers who promoted the art. I managed to pass my subjects; declaring the motifs, art forms will never create any little interest in me.
Eight years down the line, I have proved myself wrong! (Life, I guess is always about challenging, changing and devastating your beliefs and replacing them by new ones!!!). It happened when I visited Sun Temple
The temple takes the form of the chariot of Surya (Arka), the sun god, and is heavily decorated with stone carving. The entire complex was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels. The entrance is guarded by two lions, which are each shown crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body. The temple symbolises the majestic stride of the Sun god. Its all in stone, live in front of your eyes…… Most of the architects today will find it difficult to even sketch it, forget build it!
Each motif has a story, an anecdote, a story related to it….With my jaws dropped, I listened carefully to each and every word coming out of my guide’s mouth….This fellow (a local guide) toured us for one hour narrating the history, background and the significance of motifs carved in stone…..He spoke broken English in between, a skill he might have developed to cater to foreign tourists…We gave him undivided attention listening to all his details….When we left it was a great feeling…to be lucky enough to see this magnificent piece of Architecture and proud to be able to appreciate the art…
As I got back in my car, a though crossed my mind… Only if he had coached me in the college days… I hope my history teachers are not reading this….
I take off from Hyderabad airport – spacious, lavish and flamboyant and land at Bhubaneswar – small confined and claustrophobic. Bhubaneswar streets are wide open, with slow moving traffic and almost no air movement. Humidity sticks you. The slow moving traffic, low pace and a few people on the roads hardly present any attractions on my drive to the hotel…With nothing to think or see, mind games vanish and doze off…Thanks to the recent developments, the roads are carpeted finely with tar and enable a smooth ride through the city…And from no where I arrive at this huge concrete 10 floor building that represents mundane neo architecture that almost tears through the traditions of the land….This is one face of Bhubaneswar – like any other small time urban towns…
The next day, I take out my map and draw a travel route through the city…As I drive, I discover a different face of the city – narrow streets….lush green….temple complexes sprung up every 200 mts....Shikhars reaching for the sky….
The next day, I take out my map and draw a travel route through the city…As I drive, I discover a different face of the city – narrow streets….lush green….temple complexes sprung up every 200 mts....Shikhars reaching for the sky….
I choose to share through my pictures…Fortunately the beauty does not require any description and talks for itself…Surprisingly it fails to inspire the modern architects / builders of the city… To a passer by the place and its ornate architecture is full of inspiration and joy!
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!
Forest talk
I am a forest lover and ardent admirer of natural environment. This time I was lucky to get the privilege of driving through Melghat Tiger Reserve (located on southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in Central India). It is a prime habitat of the tiger. The forest is Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, dominated by teak. The Reserve is a catchment area for five major rivers all of which are tributaries of the river Tapti. The northeastern boundary of the Reserve is marked by the Tapti river. There is no habitation in the core area but some tribal villages in the reserve, buffer zone and multiple use area.
HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY !
This time, I happened to attend Republic day celeberations in a small school in Hyderabad. It was a little difficult to leave my bed or Sarcozy's speech (include Bruni's attaraction) on the chilly morning, but I managed. I think, it was worth it.
The school is run with the help of private donations and caters to approximately 350 children of labour (stone cutters ) families. The mid day meal scheme attracts the children of nearby localities who otherwise are unable to afford the same given their economic conditions. I was told that there is a public school in the vicinity, but children and their families do not prefer it. Reason I was given is the lack of interest by teachers to retain the students and harsh punishments. This school had full attendance, with girls and boys in almost equal proportions. I could see that the teachers were patient with the kids.
It set me thinking, the challenges facing our country are immense, but at the same time, the energy required to tackle them is in abundance! The way these children performed was amazing...And I earned hundreds of smiles - with every bright face smiling back to my camera!!
Lets pledge that we can assure basic services (including education, health) and a dignified life to every child in our country irrespective of his/her economic and social background!
Faces
The above compedium is a tribute to Indian rural masses. The picture collection was developed from my project site visit to Orchha (Jhansi) in November 2007. (Pl. click to enlarge) With 70% of population residing in villages, occasional visits to such places offer a tough test to our development pardigms. I hope the pictures help us to relate back to reality of our people and motivates us to work better.
Time out
Certain things/moments come across very powerfully in life and shake you instantly. A similar thing happened on my recent weekend drive with a couple of friends to a nearby wilderness. We had no intention of visiting this place, but we saw a small sign board and thought to give it a try. Following around 9 kms of muddy road we landed to this place. Throughout the road, we were not sure what we are up to! But I guess it was worth it.
We spent some time at this spot. It set me thinking, the best things in life are natural – by itself, not attracting attention or making loud noise. Just existing to enjoy be themselves. One needs to have the desire and patience to explore them. Once you do, life is never the same. With a lot of effort, I dragged myslef back to my urbane life, but with a handful of liveliness and bliss to be with me till I come back.
from my garden...
Hi all ! Its monsoon and Hyderabad is blooming with colours. Have a look ! And if you cannot resist the temptation to see them personally, do stray in to CII Green Business Centre, Hyderabad. Enjoy!
Life finds it's way
While treading along a rocky path in Shimla, I came across this. It set me wondering about what makes this flower survive in this uncared for environment ! But still life found it's way...
A day at the dairy farm
Meet - Renu - 0090....
Seems like a James Bond Agent number (missed by a few digits). I guess you are wrong ! This is what our dairy farmer friend in Moga (Punjab) addreses his (milking) cow - Renu 0090... And believe me she's very prompt to answer back. Renu's daily routine is quite similar to others on this big dairy farm... Eat whole day and provide milk, which is traded by the farmer to earn his living.
Some dairy farms are quite big, ranging to around 80 cows in number and it seems like a get together....In between the herd of these cows is also tuned to hum some group songs (I was not clever enough to make out) that keep the environment alive... What a life... eat - sing and sleep....
Dont tell me you are jealous of Renu.....
Snapshots
I was amazed to see this life size statue of Buddha...Yes it happens to be in Indian settlement of Bylakuppe !
Feels like heaven
Time : Perfect Evening
Place : My favourite hangout in Hyderabad
Agenda : Rejuvenate
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