Category: Daily Post Challenges

Solitude is a state of being alone without feeling lonely. Solitude is something I crave and find uplifting and relaxing – a state which, to me at least, is almost akin to meditation. The freedom to think or not – the freedom to just be. The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge theme is about solitude and hence this outburst 😉

Anyway, hunting through my archives, I found this picture which seemed to fit the bill.  Fooling around with the photo, I was reminded of a discussion I had with Ravens regarding BW and color photographs.

I thought I had interesting results with this photo.

Doesn’t this picture evoke a sense of loneliness and despair? Of waiting? If only someone would come and say hello?

Yet, doesn’t this scene speaks of utter contentment and relaxation? It is as if the bench is soaking up the sunshine and a few brief moments of blissful respite from the burdens that he knows are sure to come his way all too soon.

I wonder if you agree with me? Or am I being too fanciful? Do let me know which one you like better. I would love to know about your thoughts on the matter…

Thanks for visiting!

The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge is all about being graceful and dance is all about grace. India is a treasure house of dances ranging from regional folk dances to classical dances. As a child I was fascinated with the classical dance forms. I learned a bit of Bharatnatyam and even had the opportunity to give a stage performance in a school competition – mostly because there was no other taker from our house 😉 But I will have you know that I stood second 😀 No there weren’t two competitors (as my dear brother who was late for the performance suggested) – there were five. Yeah and I was just as incredulous as you but what stands out most in my memory is that my dance teacher said that she wasn’t surprised. A lovely cherished memory! There are other memories too associated with that day but perhaps another day, another challenge 😉

As far as grace is concerned, of all the classical Indian dance forms, I have to confess that I personally find the Odissi dance form to be the most graceful. Odissi is a major ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Odisha, an eastern coastal state of India. Here are a couple of my beautiful and graceful friend’s photo – I have shared these before but I couldn’t resist posting them again.

Isn’t she stunning?

So who’s is your favorite?

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 116 AND for IPK fans/readers of SS here's the first part of A Tangled Web

The theme for the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge is of photographs with exceptional ambience. I take this as an opportunity to share pictures of a few places with unique atmosphere and character.

Dholavira, an archeological site at Kutch district in Gujarat, India, contains the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization or the Harappan city. This was the Bronze Age civilization (3300-1300 BCE; mature period 2600-1600 BCE) extending from what is today northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India. It was one of the three old world civilizations (along with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia) and also the most widespread. During history lessons at school, I remember getting goose bumps thinking about their unimaginable skills and expertise in a time, which existed before the Vedic period.

Inhabitants of the ancient Indus river valley developed new techniques in handicraft and metallurgy (copper, bronze, lead, and tin). The Indus cities are especially renowned for their urban planning, baked brick houses, elaborate drainage systems, water supply systems, and clusters of large non-residential buildings.

Rudabai Stepwell, built in 1499 AD at Adalaj, Gujarat, India by Mahmud Begada for his queen Rudabai. The step well nicely depicts fusion of Indian and Islamic architecture. The step well or ‘Vav’, as it is locally known, is intricately carved and is five stories deep.

Such step wells not only provided water for drinking, washing and bathing but were also venues for colorful festivals and sacred rituals. Listen – can you not hear the echoes of laughter, rush of feet with tinkling anklets and bangles amidst a rustling swirl of colors on the backdrop of love, lust, oppression, greed and intrigues? Or am I being fanciful?

For a spooky ambience, visit the abandoned and haunted village of Kuldhara, Rajasthan, India. Kuldhara was established around the 13^th century and was home to the Paliwal Brahmins till about 200 years ago. Legend has it that the unscrupulous and rogue Diwan of Jaisalmer, Salim Singh fell for the beautiful daughter of the village chief. Determined to have her, he threatened to levy huge taxes upon them unless they toed his line.

Equally determined not to yield, one night, all the residents of the village fled, leaving behind their homes and everything within them. There is no information about the whereabouts of the Paliwals. Before leaving, the Paliwals cursed the village which is why, till date, it remains uninhabited by mortal beings. Instead ghosts roam the deserted streets. I believe night stay facility is available for those who wish to experience moving shadows, haunting spirits and other paranormal activities. Game anyone?

 A big thank you to my friend and family for sharing the pictures 🙂 Thanks to you too for dropping by – where would you like to go first?

Psst I think the curse of Kuldhara is affecting my post as well – I had to redo the whole thing again 😦 Fingers crossed

The rickshaw puller of Kolkata, the only city in India to have the hand pulled rickshaw. Muffled up to face the winter chill, he cannot quite hide his frail frame or toothless gums. He ‘enjoys’ a brief respite and fiddles with a pink radio, perhaps gifted by a doting daughter or grand-daughter.

The very concept of people physically lugging their counterparts around the city, often bare feet, is disturbing to say the least. Yet they continue to ply the streets of Kolkata providing a cheap and reliable transportation for short distances, especially convenient for schoolchildren. Which is not to say adults do not use them. They do and indeed even I have also utilized their services. Several years ago.

To ride or not to ride this anachronistic symbol of human degradation is a tricky question. We can easily take the moral high ground and shun them (like I do now). There are numerous other and indeed more convenient modes of transport.  But the fact is that our ‘clear conscience’ is not going to fill their empty stomachs. They are eager to take you for a drive and idle time is not a matter of ‘enjoyment’ but a matter of concern.They may just have to go to bed hungry in order to honor our commitment to eradicating ‘social injustice’.

Looking at them, interacting with them, their fortitude, stoicism and innocent smiles as they battle the elements and extreme weather conditions – blistering summers, torrential downpours, flooded streets, chilly winds (and pay part of their meager earnings to battle their court case) – resilient is what comes to mind.

Along with respect and admiration.

Additional note: In 2006, the West Bengal State Government made arrangements to ban hand pulled rickshaws but concerns about their means of livelihood took the matter to court, where it is still stuck, mired in bureaucratic red-tape and political agendas. But a stop has been put on new registration of rickshaw pullers. Currently, there are reportedly about 6000 registered rickshaw pullers although according to some there are about 25,000 unregistered pullers. There is some talk of battery-operated rickshaws but that is still to see the light of day. But implementing these is also not a simple matter. Those who have been running the streets for 50 years are not too keen on learning new techniques at their age.

Till the hand pulled rickshaw is completely phased out or they are rehabilitated, I for one would advise visitors to try the rickshaw. With a rider. Please do not haggle with the pullers.

Thanks for visiting – would love to know your reactions, comments and suggestions.