PONDICHERRY re-visited

LOCATION: PONDICHERRY, TAMILNADU, INDIA

YEAR OF VISIT: JUNE 10, 2012

It was a plan; a plan that was planned almost 8 months before it was executed. Apeetha, the one with whom I converse through silences, has been that one friend with whom I have always wanted to escape to some far away place. Everytime I visited Chennai, we would hope we would make it. But sadly, our plans seemed to be destined to remain as a distant dream. Just as we were about to give up on each other, a sudden sense of wanting took control of us and we decided to make it happen, no matter what comes our way. A night-over at her place charged us with nostalgia and we cherished each memory until our senses started wearing out. We decided to let the trip to Pondicherry complete our unfinished business (gossiping- what else?!) The reality of the trip happening did not sink into us until we got into a bus that took us to our soul city. This trip is special to me because of our togetherness, our promise, our friendship and our unexplainable love for each others silent company.

The bus stop from which you get the bus to Pondicherry is served with water for public, an act of concern by Ms.Jayalalitha (present Chief Minister of Tamilnadu).

The MOTHER ASHRAM
Someone should tell this mother-daughter duo that I am no alien.

This is definitely one of the cutest gestures I have come across! Anklets for the elephant!

Lakshmi, the holy elephant.

The text (in tamizh) translates to 'Shiva Shiva. Lord Shiva is one of the trinities of Hinduism.

Damn it! He spotted me!

Receiving blessings from her.

A beautiful detail.

Statue of the great Tamizh poet Bharathiyaar stands tall besides Bharathi park, named after him.

Both sat together simultaneously.

Bleeding sculpture?

Lazy afternoon for all

There she is, my darling Api.

Just could not get enough of her pure beauty!

Look who is with her!

FOOTNOTE: In case you missed my previous visit to Pondicherry, you can enjoy them right HERE.

The TIGRESS club

LOCATION:  CHENNAI, INDIA

YEAR: 2011

The only way I find to define Cricket is it is the most practiced 'religion' in India. YES. A religion. I cannot settle for any lesser word for the madness, the faith, the investment and the vulnerability that Indians have for the game. Personally, though I do not follow the game, I would love to be amidst the euphoric atmosphere. Off late the 'cricket fever' hasn't spared the women folklore either. In a century where women take to mountain climbing and weight lifting, this shouldn't come across as a surprise or a shock. I am extremely proud of the fact that on of my very own blood, Sharadha Sridharan ( my second cousin) is a cricketer of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).

Her team mates are all young and daring like her. I found myself introduced to Vandana, Abhinaya, Anusha Prabha. Each of them are unique in their own ways. I observed that Vandy (vandana) bowls in a unique style that made me whistle while Abi (Abhinaya) blew me with her spins. Anu (Anusha) on the other hand bats with brilliant finishing. They ooze attitude that comes naturally to them.

Here are a few pictures I managed to capture withing a very short time I got to spend with them. Let us all wish them infinite success and countless blessings.

 

FOOTNOTE : You can read her interview HERE.

Mehendi

Mehendi - every girl's dream art!

 

KALAGHODA FESTIVAL 2012- part 1

LOCATION: MUMBAI. MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

DAY OF VISIT: 09.02.2012, 6.00 PM-10.00 PM

In my 7 years of life in Mumbai, never have I made it to the most celebrated festival of the city KALAGHODA FESTIVAL until the 9th of this month. KALAGHODA FESTIVAL is so called because its held in the place called KALAGHODA ( literally translates to a 'black horse'), which got its name because it housed the majestic black horses during the British rule in India. The festival celebrates the bustling 'Art and Culture' of Mumbai in a very lavish and extravagant way for 2 weeks every year. With my days packed with internship and an eternal struggle with my thesis, I never thought I would get to attend the festival. Somehow, destiny stepped in and stimulated the 'spontaneous' avatar in me which I had put to sleep for a while. I 'informed' my mom that I would be at the festival for at least a few hours and make the most of it. before she could react with open mouth and a fierce frown, I picked up my equipments and rushed out my home. 

I strongly believe that I could have clicked more 'candids' and 'events'. But as time was a constraint, these are he few significant captures I managed. As the title reads, this 'part 1' which is about the installations there. I shall very soon publish the 2nd part too.

A maze was formed with the use of disposed plastic water bottles as the partition.

A conceptual tensile roof was created which attracted a large number of people for its flexible and abstract nature. I clicked this in order to show how much it has an impact on the 'skyline' of the place.

LEFT: An installation promoting 'NO SMOKING' cause.
RIGHT: Disposed plastic bottles were again used in a different way as mini chandeliers hung from the banyan trees.

Handmade puppets and a few other dolls appeared to be straight from the 'Harappan civilisation'.

these adorable birds are made out of disposed aerated plastic packets. Most of them had 'lays' and other popular chips production companies' names on them.

This installation needs to be taken very seriously by Mumbai. As its evident here, it promotes anti-noise pollution.

This is an attempt to manifest the famous 'cutting chai' (half glass of tea is served in this very glass) culture of Mumbai.

INDIA-The FLAVOR captured

I have stealthily captured the TRUE FLAVORS of India. I shall be uploading them in parts 

as and when I click. 

For now, this is what I have in store for you all.