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.

State of mind.

It was just me, my darkness and my light.

FOOT NOTE : This is one of my firm's work. How is it NOT possible to NOT attain enlightenment here?

Apeetha

A tender petal on this raw earth...That's what you are love.

Mehendi

Mehendi - every girl's dream art!

 

The SUPER MOON

I present to you the SUPER MOON series.

I was stunned at the drama I witnessed at 9 pm. It was an overwhelming experience. I could not shoot her without praising her aloud! The clouds parted beautifully like the stage curtains and she graced the silent earth with her radiance. Oh Maaaaah!

 SHE IS TO DIE FOR!

FOOTNOTE: Of course I have not captured the magnificent craters of the moon. I need to learn the right settings. I will soon! Check out the series here for it appears very noisy in blogger.

White Pigeon

FOOTNOTE: The white pigeon perches right in front of my kitchen window at 9:30 am. The milk I had kept for boiling had overflown. Hey don't blame me! My hands were full! I was holding my NIKOR 70-300 mm lens! ;)

The meeting of 2 generations

A hand of support of a grand daughter over an aged grandfather's...

OR WAIT! 

Is it the other way round? 

 

LIGHT and its PLAY

FOOTNOTE: Mother was casually leaning against my bedroom window and chatting with me. I screamed, "Freeze", sprang up, got hold of my camera and clicked this!

Entering the PARENTHOOD world.

EVENT : VALAIKAPPU - Indian form of Baby shower

DAY OF EVENT : 05 MARCH 2012

PLACE : MUMBAI, INDIA

After a lavish royal wedding ceremony in the Iyer sect of South India, the occasion of Valaikappu (godh bharai in Hindi) is much awaited by the family. It is a celebration of the couple entering the new phase of a mother and father. It is celebrated by offering the mother-to-be, delicate and colourful bangles ('valayal' aka bangles in tamizh) with each of the women folklore taking turns in doing so. It is usually celebrated during odd months (preferably 7th or 9th) of pregnancy. I got a beautiful opportunity to witness the rituals and the unmissable moments of this meaningful occasion. 

The to-be-parents HARI and NEERAJA

 The seek the blessings of the Lords from a temple in the background.

The vibrant glass bangles are chosen in pairs of two and slid down her hands.

Raw rice particles are mixed with the holy mustard powder and sprinkled on her as a ritual of blessing.

 Her parents bless her and offer her a new silk saree to be worn for the second set of rituals to be followed.

The couple prostrate to the elderly members to seek their blessings. The elders sprinkle the mustard coated rice particles as a medium to shower their blessings.

 The mother-to-be is drenched wet by her husband and his sister before the commencement of second set of rituals, before which she changes into her traditional attire.

 They all inquire about the baby.
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AND NOW FOR SOME CANDIDS!

This is a 'sequence' shot  that I captured when the couple shared a hilarious moment.

Do click on it and view it in a higher resolution. Its worth it.

I caught you red Handed!

FOOTNOTE: She seems to be joyfully saying, "There! I caught you in the act!"

                       I captured her while traveling in train. The window seat  ride is such a thrill.

LIGHT SOURCE: Natural light flooding from the window. 

The MYSTIC Rose.

LIGHT CONDITIONS: Natural light.

Love at first sight

LOVE- The axis on which the world rotates.

the ULTIMATE Truth

I lust the idol. 

I worship his purpose.

I fear his destruction.

FOOTNOTE: I wish you all a belated MAHA-SHIVARATHRI. (It was on 20th Febraury)