check out the entry in the CNET competition on the link below. This is my entry for the competition "Truly Touching Moments" by CNET Asia Awards... requesting you guys to have a look at it on the page, you can like it, if u really like it.I shot her at the Juhu beach, Mumbai last year while she was making her sand castle of her dreams, around 3:30 in morning. It was touching to see that. Hence the entry under the title.http://asia.cnet.com/photo-academy/dslrs/0,3800030194,106p,00.htm
One of the old houses at Leh. The clouds are just soooo blue that u feel like someone has actually painted them. Leh boasts of its raw beauty and Ladakhi culture..that has remained almost unchanged over hundreds of years now. Lying in the heart of Ladakh, Leh is a nice small town to roam around and shop a lot of Tibetian / Ladakhi stuff.
A visit to Ladakh at any time of the year freshens up your mind and rejuvenates the soul. I was also lucky to visit the dream destination recently. This is the valley view of a part of the city from a hill top. Its all snoow caped as a result of heavy snowfall over 2-4 hours.
Janpath is one beautiful street in New Delhi where one cannot get tired of roaming around. So small a place, yet so enchanting is its market. Small little shops in row on the left side of the road start the process of attracting you towards itself, and you naturally tend to follow you steps into the footpath around it.
The foot path is crowded by travellers and foreigners mostly. They are found in almost all the stores that sell some Indian stuff. The market of Janpath is well known for selling ethnic and traditional Indian Objects 'of art.
From Lak Bangles to silver anklets, Chunnis to kurtis, short kurtas and bandanas, Rajasthani Rugs and Jodhpuri Blankets, shoes and juttis, wood craft and bead works, Brass wares and Glass wares. Wooden chess and Old gramophone. Insence sticks and chandeliers. modern contemporary styles and desi Indian Jholas; think of anything and you wil find it here with an Indian stamp design.
These wooden masks are painted in bright colours and represent the typical Indian Saadhu cult (saints and sages). Long beard and a tied pony symbolises the Hindhu Yogis. Whereas, the bald figures are characters of pundits or pujaris. Although these are just symbolic and there is no such hard and fast rule to it.
Fashion has its own route here and errupts boldy in form of the bright Indian colour pallete. The jholas or the bags are seen displayed in many shops. They reflect the handicraft of India. Mostly the colours and patterns are representation of the Western India i.e, the parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The special patchwork, sequins work, and the bright colour pallet with some mirror work reders a beautiful look to the bags. Its a complete package of craft in itself.
It was a Friday afternoon in April 2009, and i was too bored for not doing anything... Suddenly i thought that it would be a good idea to take my camera and move out for shooting. Initially the plan was made for the nearby Safdarjung's Tomb in the viscinity, at Safdarjung area. Then it changed and I thought to move to the Old fort of delhi. The idea of Fort was kick..... and u know what ...!! I planned for vary famous NEEMRANA FORT in Rajasthan. And we set out in the scorching heat at 2:00 pm with temperatures as high as 45 degrees.
It was too hot. I reached Neemrana fort- 120 kms away from Delhi, about 3 kms inside from highway, @ around 5 pm. The entry was closed. Though I clicked some snaps of the magnificient fort from outside, and left the place.
On coming out on the highway, we though WHAT NEXT..?? Shall I go back to Delhi, or go jaipur....
Because, the thirst of visiting a fort was not quenched. And I had not got my shots. So I set for Jaipur. Reached Jaipur by 9 pm. Went through tth Amer fort road. One of our Friend Sidhhart, who ws supposed to be there in Jipur was not around. He had gone to Mt.Abu. HIs brother Sonu help me to find a hotel to stay for the night. I checked in. Early morning next day I was at the most famous AMER FORT... that was built 1000 yrs ago by the royal rajputs of Amer, it took 700yrs to complete. Its was magnanimous and most beautiful fort that i have ever seen.
it took me 4 hrs to move around it and take a few shots.
By 1 pm i was tired. It wastime to return. And i set out for Delhi by 1: 30 pm. We had lunch at a restaurant named Moon.. something at the foot hills. The food was decent with roti, rice, vegetables and raita.
Way back i had to stop at 2 - 3 places for water. It was again too hot in daytime. Reached back Delhi by 5 pm. Uff.... 600 kms.. i had riden for first time for so long distance at a stretch.
Tipu Sultan - the name is enough to describe the identity of a place. Yes, the city of Srirangapatnam belonged to the great legendary ruler "TIPU SULTAN", the great warrior. He lived in this city with his people and ruled almost entire of south. The story of his valour and great warrior tactics are very well laid out in history books. His heroics were unmatchable to any human existing ever. Its said that Tipu Sultan had Tigers as his pets. And he used to play with Tiger cubs when young. He had single handed kept off the English army from Entering into Sounth India. But later on with help of some disloyal rajas, the british were able to break through the city from the WATER GATE, on the side of Cauvery. And on the sad day of May 4, 1799 he fell to ground after being hit by British bullets. He was identified by one of his most confidential servants Rajah Cawn.
It was the Best time to leave when I had three cosequtive days in my hand. Yes, 3 holidays including a Friday and weekends. So I had made my plans to go on a long ride to Hampi. After getting ready and having some discussions and travel plans, Me and my brother decided to move and the Bike Which started for Hampi moved towards South and we were ready for Bandipur Trip.
We left home at around 2:45 am, and city by 3:00. At 4'o clock I had already traveled exactly 100 kms. Yes, I rode at an speed of almost 85-90 kmph, till then. That is where I took some rest. Got a beautiful shot of my bike as well. More photos on my facebook album on this link here .
After the rest which lasted over 35- 45 minutes, I moved further on. Still undecided that where shall we land, Bandipur, Coorg or somewhere else. In around next 45 minutes to 1 hour I had reached the Historical city of Srirangapatnam, crossing the cities of Ramnagaram ( the Ramgarh of Sholay where Gabbar- the legendarily villain lived), Channapatna (- the city of Wooden toys) and Mandya (the Sugar city of India).
Srirangapatnam was the center and capital of the great historic ruler Tipu Sultan. He ruled the entire south from this place. Situated at the banks of the river Cauvery, the city provided a perfect landscape for formation of a ruling capital.
It was night around 11:30 and was just too tired to do anything. Once I had a thought that I will go to the beach and click some photographs. But Body was saying "STRICT NO". The 140 km journey between Krishnagiri and Thiruannamalai was Backbone breaking. If you had constipation and you wanted a relief, this was the road to travel.
