A temple drummer.
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Mar 31, 2012
Faces of India - 54
A temple drummer.
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Mar 29, 2012
Sunset from my balcony
The final moments of the day from my balcony.
"If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God."
Gilbert K. Chesterton
Mar 26, 2012
Rothenburg, Germany
One of the best medieval towns on Romantic Road of Germany, Rothenburg, I was there. A small town easily covered on foot, delighted me with its simplicity. Walking through the covered town wall gave a great view of the town’s roofs of the medieval houses, the winding narrow streets (no vehicles are allowed inside), chimney pots and church steeples.
The streets are dotted with barns that have been converted to hotels, the place is filled with tourists but those don’t spoil the beauty. The pictures are taken from one of the watch towers. You can imagine how well the fort was protected in those days. The last picture has the facades of the buildings there.
The streets are dotted with barns that have been converted to hotels, the place is filled with tourists but those don’t spoil the beauty. The pictures are taken from one of the watch towers. You can imagine how well the fort was protected in those days. The last picture has the facades of the buildings there.
Mar 25, 2012
Green Roses at Yercaud
A rare variety of rose, I saw these green roses in full bloom in the botanical gardens of Yercaud during my trip there a few years back. Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, Tamil Nadu, and India in the Servarayan range of hills in the Eastern Ghats, South India.
Mar 24, 2012
Faces of India - 53
She is working on table lamp made of leather. The shot is taken in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Mar 22, 2012
My First Exhibited Photograph
World Water Day is celebrated internationally on March 22, the UN-designated day. The Goethe-Institut of Bangalore had given a call for photographs of open wells. I was thrilled when I came to know one of my pictures was selected for the exhibition. This again is another ‘first’ in my life. As I was walking around the exhibition hall, through the corner of my eye I was seeing whether people paused before my photograph… for how long… wondering whether they actually liked the image.
The event was a well organized one and the issue a very serious one. The rate at which ground water is getting depleted it is high time we take notice and remedial measures. Read more: Goethe-Institut celebrates World Water Day
This photo was taken Hampi, Karnataka, a World Heritage Site. It is Pushkarni a stepwell of Hampi. Pushkarni, as it was known then during the reign of Vijayanagar Empire between 14th to 16th century. This stepwell was discovered three decades back exposing the exemplary engineering skills present in the medieval times. The square tank measures 22m X 22m and 7m deep. The remains of outlet of the aqua duct feeding the well can be seen in the picture.
The event was a well organized one and the issue a very serious one. The rate at which ground water is getting depleted it is high time we take notice and remedial measures. Read more: Goethe-Institut celebrates World Water Day
This photo was taken Hampi, Karnataka, a World Heritage Site. It is Pushkarni a stepwell of Hampi. Pushkarni, as it was known then during the reign of Vijayanagar Empire between 14th to 16th century. This stepwell was discovered three decades back exposing the exemplary engineering skills present in the medieval times. The square tank measures 22m X 22m and 7m deep. The remains of outlet of the aqua duct feeding the well can be seen in the picture.
Mar 21, 2012
Spring marches in
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~Charles Dickens
Thursday Challenge GREEN
Mar 19, 2012
Pelicans Nesting in Kokrebellur
The Pelican chicks must have hatched now in Kokrebellur. I was there last Dec, the Pelicans were just building nests. There was a flurry of activities, birds flying to and fro between trees, picking up a twig in their beaks, some of them flying right over our heads.
These birds arrive here Oct – Nov, Their activities: mating, building nests, hatching their eggs, after fending for their chicks for a couple of months they re-migrate in May. For the villagers of Kokrebellur: these birds are like a daughter coming home for delivery.... The women particularly are very sensitive about these birds. Kokrebellur is not a bird sanctuary, but just a village. A village with many tamarind trees which are home to these migratory birds year after year.
It is a quiet affair during these months, just like any other month of the year; no touristy stuffs are done in these villages. You will find it difficult to find any shop offering tourist support there. People drive in from city, halt for an hour, some photography done, they leave the place without disturbing the nesting birds. A couple of shots shared here.
These birds arrive here Oct – Nov, Their activities: mating, building nests, hatching their eggs, after fending for their chicks for a couple of months they re-migrate in May. For the villagers of Kokrebellur: these birds are like a daughter coming home for delivery.... The women particularly are very sensitive about these birds. Kokrebellur is not a bird sanctuary, but just a village. A village with many tamarind trees which are home to these migratory birds year after year.
It is a quiet affair during these months, just like any other month of the year; no touristy stuffs are done in these villages. You will find it difficult to find any shop offering tourist support there. People drive in from city, halt for an hour, some photography done, they leave the place without disturbing the nesting birds. A couple of shots shared here.
Mar 18, 2012
Peace !
"I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright."
~Henry David Thoreau
Mar 17, 2012
Faces of India - 52
This was his first expression. I don't know what to make of it. He did smile later.
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Mar 15, 2012
Statue of Buddha at Belum Caves
Jains and Buddhists monks were occupying the Belum Caves of Andhra Pradesh centuries ago. Many Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. Today there is a giant Buddha Statue near a hillock near the Belum Caves.
Mar 14, 2012
Fruits from Prague
Fruits were in plenty in the markets of Prague, I tried some monochrome captures of the various fruits there.
Thursday Challenge: FOOD
Thursday Challenge: FOOD
Mar 12, 2012
Prague Astronomical Clock
Yet another memorable astronomical clock of Europe is in the main square of the old town of Prague. A wonderful piece of engineering, it is the third oldest clock and the only one that functions well even today. It was installed in 1410.
The clock mechanism is interesting. It is composed of three main components:
The astronomical dial, which represents the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displays various astronomical details. "The Walk of the Apostles", is a clockwork hourly dramatic show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures. One of them is a figure of Death (represented by a skeleton) striking the time… warning everyone that they are an hour closer to death.
The third component is a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. Here is a short video of the clock.
The clock mechanism is interesting. It is composed of three main components:
The astronomical dial, which represents the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displays various astronomical details. "The Walk of the Apostles", is a clockwork hourly dramatic show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures. One of them is a figure of Death (represented by a skeleton) striking the time… warning everyone that they are an hour closer to death.
The third component is a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. Here is a short video of the clock.
Mar 11, 2012
Silver Oak Flowers
Common Name: Silver Oak
Right now in full bloom. Our apartment complex is lined with this tree all around. The yellow flowers bloom in clusters attracting lots of birds and bees. The leaves are pale and have a silvery underside. These trees grow to a height of thirty to forty meters and some of the blooms are in the same level as my third floor. I have taken these with my 55-250mm lens. Even after cropping couldn't get more details. A 400mm lens would do more justice!
A Jungle Mynah busy taking in honey in this pic below.
Mar 10, 2012
Faces of India - 51
Mar 8, 2012
Karlstejn Castle, Prague
The trip from Prague to Karlstejn took 45 mins, and from the station to Karlstejn Castle another twenty minutes. It was a steep climb; thankfully we were armed with plenty of water. Centuries back, it took one whole day to reach the castle from Prague on horseback!
The entrance is through the castle courtyard. It is truly a grand and majestic entrance. We were on time for the guided tour (English). A young guide led us inside. Once inside he locked the doors. While we remained locked inside he explained the history associated with the castle and room. We then spent sometime looking around in the closed room, no photography was permitted. He then unlocked another door, led us in to that room and then locked the door again. The same process continued for the next five or six rooms he showed.
The castle perched on a hill looks like a fairy tale castle, has grand exteriors, but the interiors are a major disappointment. They were bare, simply bare, with some replicas and some paintings… the original stuffs stashed away elsewhere. The Karlštejn Castle was founded by Czech king and Holy Roman emperor Charles IV in 1348. The hill-top castle surrounded by forests was built to hold the royal treasures and coronation jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. It served as the king's retreat. The Czech coronation jewels were also kept there for almost 200 years. Nothing of that sort is there now; we were shown where these stuffs were kept though. Many of the interesting rooms are opened for special guests.
The Czech Republic was a major European force in the middle ages and has hundreds of castles. Had time permitted we could have toured yet another castle.
The entrance is through the castle courtyard. It is truly a grand and majestic entrance. We were on time for the guided tour (English). A young guide led us inside. Once inside he locked the doors. While we remained locked inside he explained the history associated with the castle and room. We then spent sometime looking around in the closed room, no photography was permitted. He then unlocked another door, led us in to that room and then locked the door again. The same process continued for the next five or six rooms he showed.
The castle perched on a hill looks like a fairy tale castle, has grand exteriors, but the interiors are a major disappointment. They were bare, simply bare, with some replicas and some paintings… the original stuffs stashed away elsewhere. The Karlštejn Castle was founded by Czech king and Holy Roman emperor Charles IV in 1348. The hill-top castle surrounded by forests was built to hold the royal treasures and coronation jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. It served as the king's retreat. The Czech coronation jewels were also kept there for almost 200 years. Nothing of that sort is there now; we were shown where these stuffs were kept though. Many of the interesting rooms are opened for special guests.
The Czech Republic was a major European force in the middle ages and has hundreds of castles. Had time permitted we could have toured yet another castle.
Mar 6, 2012
Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague
A moving experience in Prague was the visit to Old Jewish Cemetery. It was a different experience; so peaceful yet so disturbing.
We were let in to the cemetery through Pinkas Synagogue, which was used for worship last time in the 1940ies. The walls of the rooms were covered with names of the Jews who died in the holocaust… 78,000+ Bohemian and Moravian victims of Nazis. There is a room which displays children’s art. The sights depicted by the little hands choked me with emotions. Tender lives cut short. All drawings there were made by children captured in Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII. No photography was permitted here and for once I was glad it wasn’t permitted! These are feelings that are not to be posted around and so right they are!
From here we were led to the cemetery where 12,000 gravestones are visible. Such a tiny space and so many gravestones… but in reality, the actual figures are 100,000 burials. According to Jewish tradition old graves are not destroyed and with no new land available they were forced to place layers on layers. Some of them had twelve layers of graves.
The tombstones there tell stories too. The size indicated how important the person was, there are names inscribed in Hebrew and some signs on the tombs indicated their professions. The grapes probably indicated wine making as the person’s occupation. The grave was in use from early fifteenth century to 1787. Standing amidst the tombstones I found it hard to think of anything… we are all human beings and there is an end to all!
We were let in to the cemetery through Pinkas Synagogue, which was used for worship last time in the 1940ies. The walls of the rooms were covered with names of the Jews who died in the holocaust… 78,000+ Bohemian and Moravian victims of Nazis. There is a room which displays children’s art. The sights depicted by the little hands choked me with emotions. Tender lives cut short. All drawings there were made by children captured in Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII. No photography was permitted here and for once I was glad it wasn’t permitted! These are feelings that are not to be posted around and so right they are!
From here we were led to the cemetery where 12,000 gravestones are visible. Such a tiny space and so many gravestones… but in reality, the actual figures are 100,000 burials. According to Jewish tradition old graves are not destroyed and with no new land available they were forced to place layers on layers. Some of them had twelve layers of graves.
The tombstones there tell stories too. The size indicated how important the person was, there are names inscribed in Hebrew and some signs on the tombs indicated their professions. The grapes probably indicated wine making as the person’s occupation. The grave was in use from early fifteenth century to 1787. Standing amidst the tombstones I found it hard to think of anything… we are all human beings and there is an end to all!
A new life clings to old life, tries to survive, so there is hope!
Mar 4, 2012
Charles Bridge, Prague
Charles Bridge of Prague, an old stone bridge from 1357 is one famous landmark of Prague. Its construction was commissioned by Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It is said that egg yolks were mixed into the mortar to strengthen the construction of the bridge. Is that why the bridge withstood the worst flood of Aug 2002!
This is one bridge I saw with lot of activities. No vehicular traffic, it was one pleasant walk through the bridge watching many vendors and artists on the bridge at their work.
The statues lined on either side of the bridge were replicas, their originals exhibited in National Museum, Prague. You can see the whole list of statues here.
Some of the statues seemed very popular, with tourists flocking around to touch them. One of them is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, a Czech martyr saint who was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV. He was thrown into the Vltava from the bridge. The plaque on the statues look polished to a shine. Countless people having touched it over the centuries as touching the statue are supposed to bring good luck and ensure your return to Prague. I too took time off my photography to touch the statue, hope to return to Prague once more!
Sunday Bridges
View of bridge tower on the Malá Strana side of the Charles Bridge.
This is one bridge I saw with lot of activities. No vehicular traffic, it was one pleasant walk through the bridge watching many vendors and artists on the bridge at their work.
The statues lined on either side of the bridge were replicas, their originals exhibited in National Museum, Prague. You can see the whole list of statues here.
Some of the statues seemed very popular, with tourists flocking around to touch them. One of them is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, a Czech martyr saint who was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV. He was thrown into the Vltava from the bridge. The plaque on the statues look polished to a shine. Countless people having touched it over the centuries as touching the statue are supposed to bring good luck and ensure your return to Prague. I too took time off my photography to touch the statue, hope to return to Prague once more!
Sunday Bridges
Mar 3, 2012
Faces of India - 50
A basket weaver.
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Mar 1, 2012
A Sunset and A Sunrise
During the trip of twenty three days last Apr-May, I captured several sunsets, sunrises in the six countries I traveled. Thankfully the weather was good, and we got clear skies, but that meant the skies were less dramatic during sunrise and sunset times. The skies were most often clear with nil clouds. Here are two shots I tried to take differently by adding some elements in the composition.
This one is sunset from Olomouc in Czech Republic.
This a sunrise capture through curtains of the room where I stayed in Prague.
This one is sunset from Olomouc in Czech Republic.
This a sunrise capture through curtains of the room where I stayed in Prague.
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