When education is fun..

One of the things I am always eager to know is whether the students who were enrolled in the school earlier on are not dropping out.

This is one such kid who seems to understand the value of education and is a regular at school.

The most satisfying thing...

... to me these days is to see kids in Rural bihar enjoy their education. It was very heartening to see the kids in uniforms this time.

One kid said to the other....

What do you know of.....
... the value of a Uniform,
... the power of a Pencil,
...the unbound Joy of an education.

Reaching out ...

...

Rooted in Culture

As much as a global citizen I may become, I do not think I would be ever going against some of the values of being an Indian, that is so deeply rooted within me. 

The amount of White hair...

is an indicator of a huge amount of experiences and wisdom?

Is it? I often wonder.

When duty calls...

... you see no waters as too deep.

You just jump into it to get the work done! 

Maut ka kuan...the namesake

While the stunts wowed the audience, the life risking stunts were something that left me shocked. So much so that seeing a casualty on the sets during the actual performance, has left me disturbed badly.

I do not think I will ever be able to watch a Maut ka Kuan stunt ever in my life again. 

The colors...

While India is a land filled with colors, I could not help but notice the US colors that this saree of the lady was made of.
Just a simple indicator and I fondly remembered my stay in the US.

For the love of Kulfi

Have very fond memories of childhood having countless Kulfi, especially in the village when the ice-cream wala came once in a day. 

Of elephants, unquestionable faith and a mouthwash

India as a country baffles me every time I go out into the country side and away from the Metros. The immense amount of faith that  people have in something, goes beyond boundaries of hygiene and a worry for ill-health.

Having said that, I love the country no matter what :) 

To the Chandni theater..

..she said.

He declined. Saying it's a thing for the young.

She refused to him talk thereafter. 

The footprints...

..formed an interesting pattern on the land in the middle of the river, at the Sonepur Mela. 

Growing up

The best part about Street photography is that you are always in store for a surprise when it comes to composing shots that tell a story! And each of them gives an immense joy within. 

Safe keeping...

... the treasures is important.
You never know when the current of the flow can carry it along with itself. 

The crowd across the water

It was amazing to see the crowd gather-up so early in the morning, braving the cold, to take a dip in the "holy" waters. 

Prayers

...are an essential part of my life.
And for many more for whom a basic belief in the almighty is often a lifeline.

Oh re majhi...

Always reminded of this song when I take a shot of a boatman. 

Faces

The most interesting part about visiting a Mela is the gamut of faces you meet.
Some have questions, some just do not care, some are in their own world, and some just curious!

the Sonepur diaries

Coming soon!

Will be posting pics from my recent trip to this amazing Mela.

A kid's joy is so pure...

It makes you forget all the worries and every moment spent with them is a moment to cherish.

Bihar.. the land of Khaini

apart from being the land of
Nalanda, Ashoka, Buddha, Lalu, Nitish etc etc. :) 

When lights fly

A thought for conserving energy

Do you know how many light bulbs it takes to light the Mysore palace?
90,000 !!  

All are lit up on sunday evenings for the viewers. All of them, for close to 3 hours!
Imagine the energy that could be saved up and sent to places where there is no electricity.

Escape

From reality?
From the inner self?

A hero lies within you

and me.. and everyone around...
We just need to pause at times and look for it. 

In memory

Of a pair of slippers that has seen many a shores .. in India and abroad.
Finally after 4 years, it is going to rest in peace.

You shall be missed dear travel souls.

For the love for Green

It is a color that makes me smile every-time I land up at a location that has aplenty of it.

Love is in the air

...and the sands and seas too.

On a beach on west coast India. 

The beauty of nature

..can only be experienced in the arms of Mother nature.

Photos do not do justice to the experience.

Rains on the Arabian Sea, taken on a drive on a West Coast road, in Karnataka. 

Riders on the storm

Every time I see a bullet pass by, I gasp and wish I had one.

One day.. one day I shall have it. 

Morning Fresh

News and Flowers at the K R Market. 

My own Gods

I am always amazed by the amount of faith that we put into the gods we worship. It is one subject I wish to study in more depth one day.

What is he clicking?

The moment you have a person with a camera in the market, its difficult to not get curious !

Join me for tea any-day any-where

Eid Mubarak

Have a good one. 

For the love of children

A subject, that I can never get tired of clicking! 

Hope for a corruption free India

No matter whether you supported Anna or not, the middle class revolution and the partial success of it, does give us hope that we will have a better India. 

Missing friends

Hoping that all are well.

When eyes speak

....you just let them do the talking and not ask any questions.

Color the life

The ever wonderful color piles in K R market.

For a good night's sleep

Morning scene at KR Market

Block them red !

The colors at the KR Market, Bangalore amaze me!

These are those white blocks, that you powder and apply on forehead during Pujas in the South India.

The looks to which I have no answer

Often when I am clicking portraits, I end up in a moment of discomfort.

The subjects give a look at the camera that is full of questions. More often than not, I do not have an answer to those questions, because I do not speak the local language. I try to make up by smiling and speaking the universal language of the smile. but the looks and stare often end up making an impression that is hard to forget.

Happy World Photography Day.

India .. where are we headed

At times the country feels so directionless. That time is now.

Railway Reservation

In the times of the internet, when was the last time you went to the railway reservation counters and got it done?

I think even the hawkers realize that there will be no crowd there now!

Tunday Kabab anyone?

...at the original store in Lucknow. :)

Shobha loves Gopal

Hate these people who make these marks at the historical landmarks. :(

...and then she left.

 

Reach for the light

....get freedom from the darkness within you.

I am the Nawaab