Indian Imagery - Rahul Kumar

Study in Stone

2011-12-04T15:55:00.001+08:00

Mornings rays shining on a ceramic pair of cherubs as the Musée national de Céramique at Sèvres in Paris. Such innocence and beauty captured by the sculptor!

Feb 2009, Paris

Simple yet Elegant

2011-11-13T13:14:00.003+08:00

A steep climb up some 100 steps (reminds one of the Inca Pyramids.. almost).. and at the top, appears this elegant pavilion, the Taramati Baradari.. one of the lesser known monuments in Hyderabad. Legend has that a courtesan Taramati used to sing atop this pavilion and her voice was heard in the Golconda Baradari 2 kms away..

Hyderabad, July 2011

Join the dots

2011-08-28T15:39:00.008+08:00

Remember the coloring books where we used to join the dots and then fill them in with color.. this closer look at the palace illumination really resembles such a painting book..

Now scroll down..

...here you see the palace after the lights were switched off.. lack of lights did cause a bit of camera shake.. but notice the dotted outline now.. there are not bulbs but pigeons perched on the walls.. highlighing the palace design ... what a royal abode for them!!

Mysore Palace, Mysore, Aug 2011

Night Shift

2011-08-25T22:20:00.003+08:00

We were busy shooting the palace... when we heard the tinkling of bells... we turned around, and lo and behold.. against the beautiful lit backdrop of the palace entrance and walls.. elephants with bells were being paraded... really made a beautiful setting.. like the Mysore typical woodwork wall-hangings featuring elephant herds..

Mysore Palace, Mysore, Aug 2011

Busy Bee

2011-08-23T21:28:00.003+08:00

The 'busy bee' went about it's chores unconcerned about the 'shutterbugs' clicking around :-)
Roadside field near Mysore, Aug 2011

Jewel in the Sky

2011-08-21T10:39:00.004+08:00

It was simply magical... when the lights turned on, there was a loud 'aaawww' from all and sundry... I must admit, it was an experience of a lifetime.. being the most beautiful, tastefully done and aesthetic illuminations I have ever seen.. the palace seems to hang like a jewel in the sky...

Mysore Palace, Mysore, Aug 2011, Shot with the Sony DSLR, 1/10s.

Rape of the Sisters

2011-07-17T21:11:00.011+08:00

Today

5 yrs back, Aug 2006

The title may be shocking... but I'm deeply saddened by this abominable violation of nature's beauty... I pass by this lovely lake every morning on the way to office... and had lovingly christened the hills as 'Twin Sisters'... I'd trekked up the hills, walked around the lovely lake and even found an old heritage structure... I wonder if this would be possible now with man's intrusion everywhere...

Leave something, please!!!

Highway Lake, Hyderabad, July 2011

Bouquet

2011-07-11T21:28:00.006+08:00

Celebrating the 6th anniversary of Indian Imagery with nature's bright red bouquet!

With 250 posts and 25000+ visitors, maintaining this blog has been extremely rewarding.. Your comments and feedback continue to make viewing the photoblog even more interesting.

Milestones on the way..
First post - 11 July 2005 - Temple in Pond
Most visited post - God's canvas (2000 page views)
Indian Imagery became 'Asian Imagery'
Indian Imagery becomes 'Global Imagery' with Viola!

Thanks...

Shot at Keukenhof, Netherlands, Apr 2010

On Cloud Nine

2011-07-09T20:28:00.006+08:00

Majestic ramparts of the Pratapgarh fort, high above the clouds... This is shot after a huge downpour.. that made us wait in our car for over 30 mins, before beginning the climp up... The view from the top definitely made us feel on cloud nine!

Pratapgarh fort, Mahabaleshwar, July 2011

Into the mist

2011-07-05T20:35:00.003+08:00

Enjoying the monsoon in the Western Ghats at Mahabaleshwar..

Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar, July 2011

Steel 'n' Glass

2011-05-06T23:29:00.006+08:00

Steel and Glass need not only refer to the current crop of high-rises and office buildings... Just about a 100 years back steel and glass was used to create this masterpiece... the dome of a shopping mall... they don't make them like this anymore!

Galeries Lafayette, Paris, July 2009

A Bug's View

2011-03-26T11:32:00.003+08:00

Believe it or not, these 'giant' buds were just a few inches from the ground... An attempt to get the bug's view, I lay flat on the ground to click this... Shot at a nondescript flower bed by the roadside in Hague, Netherlands.

Hague, Netherlands, Apr 2011. My entry for the VFXY weekly theme - 'Bud'

An eye for detail

2011-03-08T22:01:00.005+08:00

Look at the beautiful village of Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera...

...we never went there ;-)

OK... Look closely again...

... God bless whoever made this beautiful model... they definitely believed in the saying - 'God is in the detail'!

France miniature, Paris, June 2009

Voila!

2011-03-05T14:00:00.004+08:00

Voila! Wow! there wasn't an iota of disappointment on seeing this stylish monument. It is as graceful, elegant and wonderful to look at as it seems in any photograph.

Did you know that it was built for quite an unassuming purpose, i.e. to serve as just an entrance arch for the 1889 Universal Exposition at Paris and that it survived multiple attempts to dismantle/demolish it, thanks to it's height helping it act as a communications tower at least? Read more...

This is the second time, I break tradition on Indian Imagery. With this first post from Europe, there aren't any boundaries and it has really become Global Imagery ;-)). (First break from tradition - Asian Imagery).

Tour de Eiffel, Paris, July 2009

Future Imperfect

2011-03-03T21:52:00.005+08:00

'Is' - Today, 03 March 2011

'Was' - 28 Sept 2006

A post that I have been planning for quite some time... When I took this shot 5 years back.. I'd never realized that the beautiful uninterrupted horizon view from our home would be obliterated with mushrooming building complexes...

But that is the way the future always will be.. 'Imperfect'!!

This also happens to be the first post with multiple photographs.

Stop

2011-02-15T22:15:00.003+08:00

Thanks for the comments on previous post... will be posting some from my archives. This was shot at the Coonoor railway station on the way down from Ooty... Love this photo for the perspective, depth and colors.

Ooty, Sept2010

Back

2011-02-13T22:48:00.005+08:00

Back after a gap of two years... backside of the Golconda Fort...

First day of shooting with my new Sony DSLR A200! good experience

VIBGYOR

2009-03-17T21:23:00.003+08:00

Rainbows always amaze me... Shot this from our home balcony.

Miri, Malaysia, Mar 2009, F/3.5, 1/80s, ISO-200

Sky Watch

2009-03-07T10:58:00.004+08:00

With nothing better to do in Miri, we joined the group of idlers watching the sun go down...

Marina Bay, Miri, Dec 2008, F/2.8, 1/160s, ISO-80. Cropped and Graduated tint effect in Picasa.

Geometry

2009-02-25T09:23:00.004+08:00

Fascinating modern architecture... the Foundation building at KK. Managed to capture it in one shot!

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/250sec, ISO-80

Deck Chairs

2009-02-19T19:27:00.003+08:00

More deck chairs.. inspired by the comments on the previous post, I have cropped this image. Hope it passes the test of your discerning eyes.. awaiting feedback on this.

Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/200s, ISO-80

Sunny Deck

2009-02-15T11:42:00.004+08:00

Love the geometry and perspective here...

Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/200s, ISO-80

Shades of Blue

2009-02-06T18:51:00.003+08:00

Azurian blue, Cerulian blue, Cornflower blue, Sky blue, Blue... nature's shade card! Shot from a speedboat between the Sapi and Gaya islands.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/200s, ISO-80.

Envious?

2009-02-04T18:06:00.003+08:00

Same place, same time as the earlier two posts... just turned the camera around... the building seen is where we have been staying for the past year and a half... quite a stunning location, huh?

Miri, Malaysia, Apr 2008, F/2.8, 1/60s, ISO-250

...Continued

2009-02-02T16:35:00.003+08:00

Well, pardon another cliche shot... but that's the view from the same spot a li'l to the left... the buildings seen are the Marriot resort and Spa at Miri.

Miri, Malaysia, Apr 2008, F/2.8/1/100s, !SO-80

Poetry in Nature

2009-01-31T12:24:00.005+08:00

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Marina Bay, Miri, Malaysia, Apr 2008, F/2.9, 1/100s, ISO-80

Lion Keeping Watch

2009-01-23T08:41:00.002+08:00

Detail on the Cheng Ho's bulwark.

Singapore, Jan 2009, F/4.5, 1/1000s, ISO-80

Modern 'Junk'

2009-01-21T17:32:00.004+08:00

Chinese 'Junk' named after famous Chinese explorer Cheng Ho. We took a cruise on this junk to a small island called Kusu bordering Indonesia.. (I even recieved an SMS saying 'welcome to Indonesia' ;-))

Singapore Harbor, Jan 2009, F/11, 1/125s, ISO-80

Crowded

2009-01-19T08:46:00.003+08:00

No wonder Singapore is deemed to be one of the busiest ports in the world.

View from Tiger Sky Tower, Sentosa, Singapore, F/8, 1/125s, ISO-80

Layered

2009-01-15T17:52:00.004+08:00

Interesting layered light play and depth...

Underwater World, Sentosa Island, Singapore, Jan 2009, F/2.8/1/8s, ISO-250

Bird's Eye View

2009-01-13T14:25:00.003+08:00

I definitely felt like a sea-gull gliding over the Star Virgo berthed at the Singapore Harbor... seated in the cable car that takes you across the bay from Sentosa Island to Singapore. Quite a stunning view... Wish the cable car's window were a bit cleaner!

Singapore, Jan2009, F/8, 1/60s, ISO-80

Matching Blue

2009-01-09T08:38:00.004+08:00

I knew the color of the monorail was blue... and nearly waited for 10 mins to capture it from this vantage point... My favourite shot from our trip.. given my love for trains.

Sentosa Island, Singapore, Jan 2009, F/8, 1/80sec, ISO-80

'Singh - a - pura'

2009-01-08T08:40:00.003+08:00

Well.. I'd seen the merlion in photographs... but had never associated the snazzy name 'Singapore' with it's origins in Hindi ('singh' - lion, 'pura' - city) !!

Merlion statue, Marina Bay, Singapore, Jan2009, F/2.8, 1/8sec, ISO-250

A New Year's Night

2009-01-07T08:39:00.006+08:00

Wishing all readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2009

We arrived at Singapore on 1st Jan to celebrate the New Year... this shot was taken from a cruise boat on the Singapore River. Needless to say, the skyline and night lights of Singapore were a treat for the eyes.

Marina Bay, Singapore, Jan 2009, F/2.8, 1/8sec, ISO-250

Show-piece

2008-12-27T08:53:00.005+08:00

I'm sure that with the previous post you would not have realized the size of this huge Christmas Tree. I wonder how much effort and moolah is put in by the mall's creative team to create such show-pieces each year to attract and amaze the shoppers?

Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec 2007, Stitch of four photos using Canon Photostitch

Feliz Navidad

2008-12-25T19:18:00.004+08:00

Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year

Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec2007, F/2.8, 1/40s, ISO-125, SONY W80

Metamorphosis Magic

2008-04-26T21:03:00.004+08:00

Truly nature's wonders... otherwise who would think a lousy caterpillar would metamorphose into this orange beauty! Thanks for your comments on the previous butterfly... actually, Somitra I'd intended to post both these butterflies together... one transforming to the other... and yes, it is only my imagination that the previous one would turn to orange after sipping nectar.

KL Butterfly Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec2007, F/5.2, 1/50s, ISO-400

Sipping Orange

2008-04-06T12:16:00.004+08:00

Doesn't it appear as it the B&W butterfly is changing to orange as it sips nectar?

KL Butterfly Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec2007, F/5.2, 1/160s, ISO-125

Fire in Paper

2008-03-23T12:26:00.002+08:00

As a kid, I remember reading a comic story where a Chinese woman asks her son to get 'Wind in Paper' and 'Fire in Paper'. Confused, the son ventures out to satisfy her mother's wishes and returns with a paper fan and a paper lantern with a candle... Nowadays, one sees thousands of such red Chinese lanterns during the Chinese New Year celebrations in February each year..

Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb2008, F/2.8, 1/60s, ISO-250

An XP Blue

2008-03-08T13:32:00.007+08:00

A beautiful evening blue shade (Windows XP blue, huh?)... and complimenting it is the elegant structure of Sultan Abdul Samad Building... flanking the Independence ('Merdeka' in Malay)Square at KL...

Merdeka Square, KL, Malaysia, Dec2007, F/2.8, 1/25sec, ISO-125.

Over the Pier

2008-03-04T09:15:00.003+08:00

Pier (pair) shot! Notice the girls in pink playing in the sand.

Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/320s, ISO-80

Under the Pier

2008-03-01T08:59:00.003+08:00

Kids having a good time. I feel beaches present the easiest opportunity to take candid shots. You can see Mamutik Island in the background.

Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/250s, ISO-80

Paradigm Shift

2008-02-28T09:09:00.004+08:00

Since childhood, I've associated beaches and sea-side with coconut and palm trees... and hillside with conifers... and never thought otherwise. Am still to come to terms with the fact that palm trees are not the regular vegetation here... rather it is conifers and pine cones on the beach!

Mamutik Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb 2008, 1/125s, F/8, ISO-80

Do not Disturb

2008-02-14T18:22:00.006+08:00

Relaxing cat at the base of the Atkinson Clock Tower in Kota Kinabalu (KK), the only structure left standing after the city was bombed in WWII. I like this photograph for the superb textures in stone and nice play of light on the steps.

Atkinson Clock Tower, KK, Malaysia, Feb 2008, F/8, 1/160s, ISO-80, Canon Digital IXUS 70

SMS

2008-02-11T11:33:00.000+08:00

Less time... fewer words...

Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Feb 2008, F/4, 1/100s, ISO-80. Shot with my new camera... A Canon Digital IXUS i70... still in comparison mode with my Sony DSC W80 to decide the better of the two!

Crystal Edifice

2008-01-23T08:58:00.000+08:00

My fascination with the Petronas Towers continues... Shot taken on a more recent trip in Dec to KL. An apt comment I heard on a program on NatGeo - 'Prominence by virtue of size is temporary, sooner or later it will be superseded, but Beauty is Eternal' - a thought that has definitely governed the design and architecture of this superstructure!

Petronas Towers, KL, Malaysia, Dec2007, F/2.8, 1/10sec, ISO-400

On a Bright Note

2008-01-20T11:30:00.000+08:00

The first post in '08, on a bright red note! Believe me, it is quite difficult to shoot such unpredictable and fast moving subjects ;-)

KL Butterfly Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec 2007, F/5.2, 1/200s, ISO-125

Evening Flare

2007-12-02T23:24:00.000+08:00

A short break in my hectic schedule led me to the visit the Grand Old Lady, the first oil well in Miri dug in 1909 atop a hillock. This was a classic photo opportunity with the sun shining through a water tank.. the first time I've accidently managed a lens flare effect.. looks like a beautiful watercolor... quite satisfied with the result...

Grand Old Lady, Miri, Malaysia, Dec 2007, F/10, 1/125sec, ISO-125

Back to the Future

2007-10-25T11:27:00.000+08:00

Arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing and futuristic looking buildings on Planet Earth... drool... ;-)

Petronas Tower, Malaysia, June 2007, F/2.8, 1/20s, ISO-400

A'spire'

2007-10-22T13:39:00.000+08:00

Inspires to Aspire?

Petronas Tower, Malaysia, June 2007, F/2.8, 1/5s, ISO-250

Tropical Fan

2007-09-26T14:34:00.001+08:00

Interesting foliage near the sea shore.

Marina Park, Miri, Jul2007, F/3.5, 1/125s, ISO-125

Far Far Away

2007-09-03T11:37:00.000+08:00

It's a dash of blue paint on God's canvas this time.. This photograph gives me the impression of being on a distant and lonely island far far away from home...

Taman Selera, Miri, Malaysia, July 2007, F/2.8, 1/40sec, ISO-320

God's Canvas

2007-08-30T09:26:00.000+08:00

Yesterday's sunset sky shot from the 19th floor of our apartment complex... an awesome experience...

Marina Park, Miri, Malaysia, F/3.5, 1/200sec, ISO-160, No post-processing

Sea Horse

2007-08-28T14:49:00.000+08:00

A glorious sunset at the Marina Park, where a giant sea horse is erected that also serves as the mascot for the city!

Marina Park, Miri, Malaysia, July 2007, F/4.5, 1/125s, ISO-100

Someone's Fishing

2007-08-25T09:30:00.000+08:00

Caught a lone guy fishing at the end of a beautiful pier extending into the South China Sea.

Taman Selera, Miri, Malaysia, July 2007, F/8, 1/125sec, ISO-125

A Postcard from Darjeeling

2007-08-08T01:51:00.000+08:00

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway chugging along the 'Ghoom' - a graceful loop where the train takes a complete circle going under/over it's own tracks. I found this magical image in my archives - unposted earlier - because it seemed too dark. A slight retouch in Picasa made all the difference...

Darjeeling, May 2005, F/5.6, 1/250sec, ISO-100

Asian Imagery

2007-08-04T12:00:00.000+08:00

With this post, I'm breaking the rule... now we'll also have Images of Malaysia in Indian Imagery ;-)

Did not want to lose this blog address... did not want to create another... and still wanted to share some stunning images...

It's been a while since I posted any image... My dear camera DSC-P73 was stolen... work's (and a lot of it) brought me to Malaysia... taking me time to get used to my new camera DSC-W80... the image above is among the first few shot with this camera.

Petronas Towers, KL, Malaysia, June 2007, F/2.8, 1/5sec, ISO-400, SONY DSC W80

All Decked Up

2007-05-14T22:53:00.000+08:00

My grandmother's (sitting left) house is all decked up for my cousin sister's engagement ceremony - a beautiful mix of mirror strings, flowers, and flowing draperies... the kid in purple has been cloned ;-)

Model House, Lucknow, Apr2007, F/2.8, 1/40s, ISO-320, Panorama Stitch - my second attempt.. this time a horizontal one!

Poetic Justice

2007-05-12T12:10:00.000+08:00

The imposing structure of the Hyderabad High Court... with the flower twig adding a 'poetic' element to it! In the foreground is the dried up River Musi...

Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5.6, 1/250sec, ISO-100

Mirror Mirror in the Lake

2007-05-05T12:04:00.000+08:00

Lord Buddha's statue 'mirrored' in the placid waters of the HussainSagar Lake in the early morning hours.

HussainSagar Lake, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5, 1/25sec, ISO-100

The First Sunrise

2007-05-03T11:34:00.000+08:00

This blog has a couple of sunsets, here's the first sunrise shot! Proof that we got up early morning and went on a photography expedition. By the way, is there a way by which you can distinguish between a sunrise and a sunset?

Tank Bund, Hyderabad, Mar2007, f/3.5, 1/125s, ISO-100

Reflecting Pool

2007-05-01T12:09:00.000+08:00

A perfect example of European architecture in the heart of the Old City in Hyderabad, the Aftab Mahal - one of the four palaces in the Chowmahalla complex. The Nizams were great fans of Parisian, Venetian architecture and they made sure their dwelling reflected their liking.

Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad, Apr2007, F/5.6, 1/500sec, ISO-100.

Alien Attack

2007-04-25T23:48:00.000+08:00

No, it's not going to release a finger and suck you up... it's just an exquisite chandelier shot from beneath in the Durbar Hall of the Chowmahalla Palace... a painting in the gallery of the palace inspired this particular shot...

Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad, April2007, F/2.8, 1/40sec, ISO100

A Long Scroll

2007-04-19T22:01:00.000+08:00

Okay, so you've managed to scroll down till here... this is my first attempt at a panorama and it just happens to be a vertical one... Idea came from certain posts at ddoi... Shopping malls are becoming a craze in several cities.. but they do become boring after some time.. What say?

Saharaganj Mall, Lucknow, Apr2007, Composite of 5 shots taken in automatic mode.

7am on a Sunday

2007-04-14T18:48:00.000+08:00

The usually crowded intersection of the Charminar looks serene, calm and beautiful early Sunday morning lit by the golden rays of the sun. The old clock works too - it says 7am exact!

Charminar, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5.6, 1/100sec, ISO-100

Kid at Heart

2007-04-10T22:55:00.000+08:00

Couldn't stop myself from taking this shot... Somitra seemed to be having a whale of a time shooting pigeons. Notice how they have formed a circle around him...

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5.6, 1/60sec, ISO-100

An Orange Moment

2007-04-06T19:38:00.000+08:00

It was when we were about to leave the Mecca Masjid, that I noticed the imposing Charminar in the distance... and a li'l girl in bright orange wandering around with a flock of pigeons behind her.. caught an 'orange' moment!

Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5.6, 1/60sec, ISO-100

Call for Prayer

2007-03-27T22:18:00.000+08:00

A few years back, a muezzin must have loudly called the faithful to prayer five times every day from atop this beautiful minaret at the Mecca Masjid... now replaced by an almost inconspicuous loudspeaker ;-)

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/7.1, 1/125sec, ISO-100

No Takers

2007-03-25T20:36:00.000+08:00

The little guy had been waiting for the pigeons, but as soon as I clicked the shutter, he decided he had had enough and turned around. Poor little girl!

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5.2, 1/80sec, ISO-100. Contrast this with Pigeon Feed.

Princess on Water

2007-03-24T00:03:00.000+08:00

Funny how just a name or a word, sometimes hides so much meaning behind it... This lovely pleasure cruise on the Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad is called the 'Khairunnissa'. A little research revealed that this beauty is named after Princess Khairunnissa who secretly married James Achilles Kirkpatrick, a Scottish bureaucrat when she was just 14 back in 1799... a romance that shook all of British India. Alas, love was shortlived as James died unexpectedly just six years later in 1805 and she died soon after... Read on here.. and here..

P.s. Notice the heavy foot thumping happenning on the Khairunnissa?

HussainSagar Lake, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/2.8, 2s, ISO-100.

Pigeon Feed

2007-03-20T22:42:00.000+08:00

This brave pigeon came up to the kids and ate right out of their hand... And boy, these kids were thrilled... several others weren't so lucky. Guess, their cute harmless faces did the trick!

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/5, 1/80sec, ISO-100

Aflutter

2007-03-18T19:12:00.000+08:00

A child runs amok... and thousands of pigeons rise and swarm overhead with a delightful chorus of flapping wings... a collective 'wow' escapes as all eyes turn skywards... while the photographer desperately clicks the lens shutter in an attempt to capture the moment... I don't know what went aflutter at that moment - the pigeons' wings or my heart?!!!

Well, with the Indian summer hotting up, I found my existing stock of photographs all dring up. When digging deep into my archives also did not yield much... I decided it was time for replenishment. Somitra and myself went around the old Hyderabad city in the early morning hours and were amply rewarded with these pigeons at Mecca Masjid - a photographer's delight.

Expect many more pigeons and beautiful monuments captured in the golden rays of the morning sun in the days to come on our blogs!

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Mar2007, F/3.2, 1/250s, ISO-100. Must see this - one of the best pigeon pictures.

Dream come true

2007-03-14T21:58:00.000+08:00

“Make the tools of information and communication available to people at an affordable cost. They will overcome the handicaps of illiteracy and lack of mobility.” - Late Dhirubhai Ambani

Nowadays you rarely come across anyone without a mobile phone (atleast in the metros), a revolution that has transformed India in the past few years. With the lowest mobile tariffs in the world and with the fastest growing subscriber base, Dhirubhai's dream has come true for sure.

Oct2006, F/2.8, 1/8sec, ISO-320, handheld. Ref: India's growth in mobile sector - TRAI Report

Arriving or Departing?

2007-03-10T19:06:00.000+08:00

The launch boat that ferries tourists to the Nagarjunakonda island in the beautiful blue Nagarjunasagar lake. Couldn't think of a better title this time!

Nagarjunasagar, Jan2007, F/5.6, 1/640s, ISO-100

Gimme Red!

2007-02-21T11:50:00.000+08:00

A plush Persian carpet at my uncle's residence...

Patna, Oct2006, F/3.2, 1/8sec, ISO-320. Camera resting on the carpet ;-)

Connecting the Elements

2007-02-17T12:10:00.000+08:00

I find 'bridges' to be the most interesting, photogenic and romantic engineering structures - they bring all the elements together - land, water and air! This bridge commissioned in 2004 and constructed downstream of the Nagarjunasagar Dam across the Krishna river, replaces an older bridge built in 1960 that had collapsed - from where this photograph has been shot.

Nagajunasagar-Macharla bridge, Jan2007, F/5.6, 1/400s, ISO-100.

Blog Update: I have completed tagging all my earlier photos with category labels. So, go ahead and explore the 'goodness' of categories. To begin with, try selecting 'Nature - Flora' from the drop-down list of categories at the top and regale in the multi-hued floral beauty.

Water turns to Milk

2007-02-13T17:50:00.000+08:00

Nature never ceases to amaze... Rain water travels underground, emerges a few meters upstream and then plummets 70 ft into the gorge below... Considering that it has not rained for the past 4 months, I'd expected the falls to be just a trickle, but the thunderous roar of the Ethipothala Waterfalls [Telugu 'ethi' : priest, 'apatalla' : upper place.. because a priest meditated in the caves around the area] was a pleasant surprise.

Ethipotala Waterfalls, Near NagarjunaSagar Dam, F/3.2, 1/125sec, ISO-100

Relocation

2007-02-08T12:40:00.000+08:00

A very unassuming photograph you would say... read the story below...
"In Egypt, 2500 years back, a beautiful temple dedicated to Isis was built on Philae, an island in the waters of the Nile river. 1900 - 1930: Building of the Old Aswan Dam resulted in flooding of the temples from December to March each year. 1950: The Aswan High Dam would have resulted in submerging the entire temple complex... 1972-1980: The entire temple complex was moved block by block and relocated on Agilkia island northwest of Philae Island. A truly stupendous and unprecendented exercise..."

Unprecendented? No, not really... just about 10 years before in 1960, a similar relocation effort was done to preserve Nagarjunakonda (capital of the Ikshvaku dynasty in 3-4th century AD) which would have been submerged by the rising waters of the Krishna river, due to construction of the massive Nagarjunasagar Dam. The entire palaces, monasteries, stupas were reconstructed on a hill (now an island) brick by brick. In the photograph above is a reconstructed pier.

Nagarjunakonda island, Jan2007, F/7.1, 1/250sec, ISO-100. Post-processed in Adobe Lightroom.

Blog Updates - End of post? No, not really ;-)) With this post, I've also relocated (migrated) to the new version of Blogger.. I'd been dodging this for the past few months in an effort to preserve the quick commenting feature, but tonnes of comment spam made me take the plunge today! Pros - No Spam, Easier Navigation, Categories (which I'll add soon), Better Technology, Faster, hopefully more... Cons - It's goodbye to the inline commenting form and back to the popup comment page, hopefully nothing else...

This is my longest post till date... and if you've read until here... might as well hit the comments link below and give your valuable feedback.... Cheerios!

Preach

2007-01-31T21:27:00.000+08:00

After attaining 'Enlightenment' at Bodh Gaya, Lord Buddha preached his first sermon at this very spot - now marked by the imposing 'Dhamekh Stupa' at Sarnath - another example of the 'Grandness' associated with Lord Buddha. The Stupa dating back to the 6 -7th century AD, has a diameter of 28.5m at the base and has a total height of 42.6m.

Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath, Oct2006, F/5.6, 1/640sec, ISO-100.

Ominous

2007-01-24T11:53:00.000+08:00

Dark ominous clouds gather over the ramparts of the Golconda Fort.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad, Oct2006, F/5.6, 1/500sec, ISO-100. No post-processing. Shot on the same as day as Fresh.

Saffron Hues

2007-01-22T11:48:00.000+08:00

Some day, a thousand years back, Buddhist monks in saffron robes must have roamed about this temple's environs.

Temple Site No. 3, Nalanda Ruins, Bihar, F/5.6, 1/100sec, ISO-100.

Back in Time

2007-01-18T11:38:00.000+08:00

Nalanda University Ruins - one of the oldest universities in the world.

Nalanda, Bihar, Oct2006, F/5.6, 1/8-sec, ISO-100. The 'history book painting' or 'back in time' effect is courtesy Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. I found it pretty easy to use and the above is the result of 'just one click'. Thanks to Somitra for pointing this out to me.

Picture of Peace

2007-01-12T15:56:00.000+08:00

Spotted this monk reading something in tranquil surroundings. Shhh.. don't disturb.

Japanese temple, Bodh Gaya, Oct2006, F/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO-100. Entry for Photofriday - Peaceful.

The Odd One

2007-01-11T20:38:00.000+08:00

Clones of Lord Ganesha seem to be ignoring the odd one during their round table conference!

Shilparaman Fair, Hyderabad, Dec2006, F/5.2, 1/160sec, ISO-100.

Sitting Pretty?

2007-01-10T11:41:00.000+08:00

This musician seems to be pretty well-off sitting on that drum.

Shilparaman Fair, Hyderabad, Dec2006, F/6.3, 1/125sec, ISO-100. Related post

Very Vivid

2007-01-05T11:55:00.000+08:00

Traditional Madhubani paintings painted on cloth in vivid colors prepared using vegetable dyes.. colors that do not fade for ages. Shot at one of the exhibition shops at the 13th All India Annual Creaft Fair held at Shilparaman.

Shilparaman Craft Fair, Hyderabad, Dec2006, F/3.5, 1/50secs, ISO-100. See images from last year's visit to the fair here

Onboard 2007

2007-01-03T12:58:00.000+08:00

Our apartment complex decked up on New Year's Eve... We had a great party! Wishing all readers a very Happy and Prosperous 2007.

Home, Hyderabad, Dec2006, F/2.8, 1/8sec, ISO-320

Hang by a Thread...

2006-12-26T21:55:00.000+08:00

...Quite literally too, in this open chair-lift that takes the visitor up a 400 metre hill at Rajgir in Bihar. Wouldn't you agree it was equally daring for me to have turned around in the chair and taken this snap through the peephole behind?? It's another thing that the passengers aft and fore must have gotten sky-sick because of the sudden rope shaking caused by my movement!!

Chairlift to Shanti Stupa, Rajgir, Oct2006, F/7.1, 1/125sec, ISO-100

Season of Cheer

2006-12-24T21:01:00.000+08:00

Wishing everybody loads of happiness, warmth and cheer. Merry Christmas!

Diwali Rangoli, Patna, Oct2006, F/3.5, 1/8sec, ISO-320. Related posts: Rangoli 2005, Rangoli 2004, Christmas 2005

Flying Frog

2006-12-22T11:41:00.000+08:00

Reflection in pond... Inverted!

Rajgir, Oct2006, F/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO-100

Invoking Ganga

2006-12-14T21:13:00.000+08:00

The din of ringing prayer bells, clanging of cymbals, loud chorus of a thousand voices chanting 'Om Jai Gange Mata' (Invocation of the river Ganges referred as a Goddess / Mother of life in Hindu mythology) alongwith the dramatic synchronized performance of seven priests raising huge oil prayer lamps in unison... and... soft sounds of the Ganges lapping against our boat where we joined in prayer... One Helluva Experience!!

Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedha Ghat, Varanasi, Oct2006, F/2.8, 1/8sec, ISO-320

Montage

2006-12-08T16:43:00.000+08:00

There's so much activity happening here... Women bathing, changing clothes, a priest preparing for the evening prayers, people shopping.. and more.. and yet I find this image very serene.
A daily scene at the famous Dasaswamedha Ghat on the Ganges river at Varanasi. Hindu scriptures dictate that bathing in the Ganges results in remission of sins and that dying in the holy city of Varanasi gives salvation.

Dasaswamedha Ghat, Varanasi, Oct2006, F/4.5, 1/50sec, ISO-250. Unprocessed - Increasing saturation here makes the image grainy.

Gossip

2006-12-05T10:46:00.000+08:00

A group of women celebrating the Chhath festival on the banks of the Ganges river at Varanasi (reputed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world).

River Ghats, Varanasi, Oct2006, F/4.0, 1/50sec, ISO-250

Back from Bangkok

2006-11-30T11:35:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm back from Bangkok.. reason for gap between my posts. Jus' joking ;-)) How can Indian Imagery have shots from Thailand?

Thai temple, Bodh Gaya, Oct2006, F/5.6, 1/400sec, ISO-100

Tales of a Bygone Era..

2006-11-23T11:41:00.000+08:00

Sunset on the bank of the Ganges river at Patna. The rampart-like structures visible are the remains of what once used to be the palace of Tekari Maharaj... reciting tales of a bygone era. (Surprisingly, I found only one reference to this palace on the internet). I've deliberately posted a silhouette image to distract attention from the filth floating in the river!

Ganges River cruise, Patna, Oct2006, F/5.6, 1/125sec, ISO-100

Boat on the River

2006-11-21T11:37:00.000+08:00

Boat on the river, It's sailing away

Down to the ocean, Where to I can't say - Boney M.

Ganges river cruise, Patna, Oct2006, F/5.2, 1/160sec, ISO-100, Enhanced in Picasa

Expanse

2006-11-18T18:42:00.000+08:00

A solitary boat against the expanse of the Ganges river. At Patna, in central Bihar, the Ganges may be over 15 kilometres wide during July and August! It is near Patna that four major rivers meet the Ganges - Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi from the North and Son from the South-West.

Mahendru Ghat, Patna, Oct2006, F/5.6, 1/640sec, ISO-100

Meditate

2006-11-15T11:57:00.000+08:00

Shot this as I was circumambulating the Great Buddha Statue (see prev). Found this profile view quite serene and interesting.

Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya, Oct2006, F/7.1, 1/1000sec, ISO-100, Spot Metered against the sky

Grandness

2006-11-12T22:45:00.000+08:00

An 80 feet tall statue of Lord Buddha in the Dhyana mudra (meditation pose) at Bodh Gaya. However, even this would seem insignificant amongst the biggest statues in the world - Amida Buddha (Standing pose - 396 Feet - Japan), or the Leshan Buddha (Seated Pose - 220 Feet - China) or the Monywa Buddha (Reclining Pose - 294 feet - Myanmar). Makes one wonder why the largest statues in the world belong to Lord Buddha?

Great Buddha Statue - Daijokya Temple, Bodh Gaya, Oct2006, F/7.1, 1/320sec, ISO-100, W70. P.s. see another large Buddha statue at Hyderabad!

Symbolism

2006-11-08T20:25:00.000+08:00

Like any other religion, Buddhism is also replete with religious symbolism. Little did I know that these lovely multicolored flag strung between trees (called dar-ding in Tibet) represent the five colors of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment - obviously now transated such that each color has a 'deeper' meaning. The lake in the background also doesn't escape this symbolism. It is the spot where Lord Buddha spent the sixth week in meditation after attaining enlightenment, and was protected from a severe thunderstorm by a serpent's hood!

Mahabodhi temple, Bodh Gaya, Oct2006, F/7.1, 1/200sec, ISO-100, Sony DSC-W70. (Reference: opens a zipped text file)