Walled City

"Yeh Dilli Hai Mere Yaar..."

Need I say more!! What more do I add about this city which is not already known, what new should I narrate....

From the very archaic back alleys of Chandni Chowk to the revolutionized Metro Railways, from the vintage Connaught Place to the plush gardens of Greater Kailash, and from the Chaats of Punjab Sweet Corner to the Chicken Tikka of Khan Market. Delhi blends it all!! So this one, is for the love of Delhi...
As for particulars, the photo has been taken from atop Jama Masjid so as to get a landscape view of the city.

Expectations

Expectations was the first word that struck me when I'd clicked this one. Just the spade of leaf pitted against the enormous skies in its only aspiration to be there. It exemplifies a sort of ambivalence of somewhere that it wants to reach and of something that it is bound by [the hand holding it], and the crossroads at where the leaf is right now....

Probably expectations have a similiar fate, that of to be at the crossroads and yet not surrender hope!!

Greens!!!

Quite a simple click, with not too much intense or abstract thought process involved. Greens is again a pretty self explanatory tag showing green leaves arranged in a very analogous symetry. Green leaves are one such variety which never disappoint you. They always look beautiful irrespective of the way that you click them!!!
This one's my ode to them.

Memory Lane

This is the most beautiful place in the whole world. It's my favourite place at least. It's basically a park where my Sis and I would frequent and talk endlessly about things, discuss our studying modules, laugh at my artistic [in]capabilities, crack jokes and all those things which would make sense only to us. I love this place and all the memories attached to it, which by the way, we still live.
Even though a very basic click, but its slightly more than just another casual click for me. It is my sister's and my Memory Lane, which continues to grow by the day....

Fortification

The Purana Qila is one of the oldest and the finest monuments in India and I was only lucky to visit the place on my trip to Delhi this summer.
The fort is believed to be founded by the Pandavas which later served as a Humayun's capital city- Dina Panah. The fort and its environs flourished as the sixth city of Delhi during this period.
Diverse framework and multifarious architectural style is easily one of the main highlights of this fort. Built in double-storeyed sandstone, the structure is flanked by two semi-circular bastion towers and is decorated with white and coloured marble inlays and blue tiles and also comprises of over hanging balconies, Jharokas and pillar pavillion Chhatris.
The fort is the finest blend of Rajasthani and Mughal forms of architecture.

Frames

I was at the Red Fort and like any other commoner was overwhelmed by its historic significance and the role that it had essayed all through these years, by its grandeur and by all those frames that had hidden in them numerous stories about its celebrated past. In short, by its very existence!!
As for the photo, this is the Diwan-i-Khaas [A conference room of sorts for the elite and the nobles]. I'd quite loved this frame, its something that I've always wanted to click. So well, there I was....

Crystalline

Purity, but still adulterated

Semblance, yet fickled distortions,

Transparency, like never seen before

And radiance, like only of its own...

A clear stream of water flowing downhill is magical!! Its all of these and still none of the above. Has its own qualities, fades into its own character, engages in its own voyage and is filled with its own complexities. Quite surreal actually; at times so sparkling and so flawless and at other times, just a mystery...

Sublime

It was a particularly hot afternoon in Delhi with temperatures soaring as high as 38ºC. And for some really bizarre reason still not known to me, I chose this day to venture out in the city for a photo shoot. And well, after toddling down a couple of lanes and a few glasses of cold water I came to this stretch where I witnessed this man bestowing water to whoever needing it.
I thought it was quite a noble gesture. That being the only predominant reason as to why I chose to click this one. And whatever be the reason behind him serving water to the people, the gesture in itself had a lot of sublimity and nobility in it. I held it in very high regard, hence called it Sublime.
As for the particulars, it was clicked outside a Jain temple in the old city of Delhi right opposite the Red Fort.

Luminescence

A Visit to Golden Temple can be totally profound, ethereal and in many ways a revelation as well. That's where I'd clicked this one. There was a particularly mystical aura surrounding this one, something so enigmatic and completely dazzling. And with the golden background and chandelier, to add to the enigma, the passageway which adorns this, almosts radiates the same aura and the entire ambience makes for a spectacular view.

Us!!!

Quite a simple click with a simple tag and a very simple feel, yet something that is so deep rooted and extraordinary in ways of its own. I was at the Wagah Border when I had clicked this, wherein by the evening the place is filled with the locals, the tourists and other delegates who come to pay patronage to the evening parade, which is held daily. A very 'engulfingly' funny incident held my attention while I was there to witness the parade [I know that the chioce of words may seem rather peculiar but trust me, no other word(s) would have been apt courtesy the incident related to it].

Usually, commoners like us don't really know what is the code that should be maintained and what all procedure is to be followed by the army officials there, so an orator is usually there who guides us about the do not's while the ongoing parade and in doing so, he kept repeatedly saying one particular thing- Darshakon se nivedan hai ki ve apni jagah le le [the audience is requested to take their seats]. And not quite surprisingly, barring this one we chose to pay heed to all the other set of instructions given to us. It was quite a riot there with everyone having the most bizzare reasons for not settling down, for e.g. My height is too short or, Why should I setttle I have paid the money I'd rather be comfortable or, Ask him to be seated first, and the list would go on. But its actually such episodes which make us, Us!!! We are one set of weird people- Curious, slighly eccentric, stern at times, overtly sentimental, complacent, way too easy- going and at times too difficult to deal with as well, but at the end of the day weird.

And honestly, I love it. So much of discrepancies, so much hap hazardness, commotion practically everywhere but at the end of the day, a sense of unifromity still prevails. That's the reason why whenever I m reminded of this visit, I'd simply call it- 'engulfingly' funny....

Jahan Numa

Jama Masjid in entirity, the way it is!!! And from the description of my previous photograph one can only imagine my veneration for this place.

Jahan Numa or Masjid-i-Jahan Numa (persian for 'World reflecting Mosque') or what we all commonly know as Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India. It was built in 1656 A.D. at a cost of around 10 million rupees then, commissioning around 5000 workers daily. The mosque rests at a high platform and can be reached by three different gates of which the east gateway is the largest. Crowned with three onion shaped domes the centre portion of the dome is around 201 ft. high and is flanked by 2 minarets each 130 ft. high. There is a marble tank right in the centre of the mosque where all can wash hands before offering the namaaz at the Masjid. Around 22,000 people can offer namaaz at a time at the Masjid. And quite honestly, its heavily crowded duirng Eid or for that matter even on all fridays.

To speak something about the photograph, personally I have an entire album of 38 photos of the Masjid but for this one particularly I had to wait for almost around 40 minutes to get this view. A lot of it because I was quite adamant in taking the photo of the pigoen flying from the dome and everytime I tried to click it the bird would deceive me until finally, when I was successful in clicking this one. purely luck!!!

Pak

Pak is basically an urdu word which in its literal sense means 'Pure'. And largely it also exemplifies the essence of the place itself. It is Jama Masjid actually and it was an absolute delight to be here. Despite several people visiting the Masjid almost everyday, despite both, the locals and the non-locals offering namaaz five times a day, the place beholds a sanctity of its own.
Personally, I've always dreamt of clicking something like that and being at the Masjid, I finally got my chance. All those who visit the Masjid are allowed to climb the Masjid tower and knowing that, well, I decided to take the plunge. So, while climbing those 200 flight of stairs I found this and got my moment. As far as the beauty of Jama Masjid goes, I m too small an entity to even speak anything about it. The place in itself speaks volumes about its beauty.

Monsoon

And with this picture, I complete my trilogy [of sorts]. I think by now one must have guessed that monsoon is my favourite season and I like everything associated with it.

Anyway, to talk about the picture, its a very simple one actually depicting a leaf and fungi wholly submerged in sewage water. Personally, it represents subtle and those hardly noticed impressions of monsoon. About that part of nature to which we barely pay attention but all of a sudden seem to take a life of its own during rains. Something so characteristic about the rains, and something that I've attempted to show here. Something about that genus of nature which we thought never existed until Monsoon.

Quenched

It was again that effluent scent just fresh after the first rains that got me into clicking this picture. Quenched here is a pretty self explanatory tag so probably I wouldn't go on to explain it. I would definitely not deny the stark similarity this picture has with the earlier one and the emotion behind them is also the same.

Those water droplets resting on the leaf made it look like a home coming of sorts for both, the droplets who found a home in the leaf and the leaf who finally finds solace in having them...

Thirst

A magic called- First Rains!!!

There is always something magical about them. Be it the smell of wet mud or the dampness in the leaves or just the overall moisture in the atmosphere, all of it- just so brilliant!!
In this picture as well I have treid to show the same freshness that the first rains' oozes- The drenched leaf now radiating which was once so dry and lifeless. It was getting its strength back, its thirst had finally been quenched, the wait was now over....

Latent Anger

I was in college with friends when one of them just randomly suggested that I go to Mount Mary sometime in the evening. 'You'll get to witness amazing sunset, you know' so I took off with my camera and that's how I clicked this one. When I clicked it I was half expecting it to turn out so dark [courtesy lens flare], but it did and I loved it.

Latent Anger might sound a little far fetched but these dark clouds looked as if they were holding a lot of things back and at the slightest instigation they would be ready pour it all...and the evening sun at the backdrop emanating those rays as if all of it were actually smoke. A stark similarity in the behaviour of both, but varied manifestations.

P.S.- And yeah, the view from Mt. Mary in the evening is definitely amazing!!! A delight for photographers.

Freedom

I was on my visit to Jama Masjid when I had clicked this!!! And when I did it didn't clearly hit me of this tag. But when I took a closer look, there it was....Freedom.

If you look at the pic. closely you would also know what I m talking about. Surely, one would have noticed the inherently 'un-synchronized' behaviour of the birds. To begin with, the flight of each bird is characteristic of its own and probably not all of them are flying in one direction as well. But then, ain't that also the esence of freedom? To be so distinct and yet be so same, or rather to be so same and yet be so distinct...which ever way that you look at it.

Effervescence

I was at this very dry, roadside cafe when I noticed this one. Not that I hadn't seen beatiful petals before or any such thing, but the moment that I noticed these petals I stood there overwhelmed at the combo of life sorrounding it. Personally, I was in awe of its striking presence amidst anhydrous sorroundings, or in awe of its vivacious nature or its blithe spirits or may be something else.

And it was this very nature of the petals that made me think of this tag. Still trying to figure out why did I stand there. But whatever the reason may be, I just couldn't thank less...

Childhood

It is clearly what the tag suggests- Childhood. A part of our lives which all of us miss the most and a part of our lives we desperately wish that it never got over; probably because we left our most honest part there. That couldn't care less attitude, getting up in the morning and going straight to the ground to play cricket only to return back in a mess, or probably wearing a full sleeved formal shirt to make ourselves believe that we are one of those grown ups who know it all, or just those endless guys vs. girls debate. Or if I could summarise in one line- That inhibition free world.

This picture I dedicate to all such memories forming our childhood and to that one person within us who still refuses to grow up.

Mehr

'Mehr' is a Persian word that literally means 'Sun'. And that's what I attempt to show here. A speck of sun rising above the dark pitching clouds coming its way, all of this being looked through a puddle of water right on the ground. Perhaps reflects such an irony!!! Of something that essentially lives in the sky and is being showcased from the ground. Its amazing how sometimes reflections appear so clear that it becomes difficult to distinguish them from the real.
As for the tag is concerned it was suggested to me by my friend, I liked it so much that I couldn't resist keeping it.

Infinity

Infinity is the first word that crossed my mind after I had clicked this one. Besides, Infinity and Immortality are two such words which go on to describe the nature of the sky. And personally, in relation to this I have a story to narrate:

As a kid I was rather very curious [but then, who isn't?] and I used to often ask questions which ranged from being utterly simple to some rather thwarting. One such question which followed for most part of my childhood was: Is there at all a starting point to the sky? Or, Is it really infinite? Or probably, If the world is really circular and if everything would form a complete circle then in such realms what happens to the sky?

So, this photograph I dedicate to all those naive questions which persistently shape my existence.

Illuminating...

Illuminating is the first word that came to mind after I had cliked this one. Actually it is a neon torch placed against the wall at such an angle so as to create this effect.
I wonder quite often about this symbiotic relationship between the shine and the darkness. Does anything that shines or is illuminating require darkness for it to look more illuminating, or does illuminating as a quality in itself is so striking that it automatically renders everything else to darkness....

Devout

Zarre Zarre mein uska noor hai,

Jhaank khudme, woh na tujh se door hai,

Ishq hai uss se, toh sab se ishq kar,

Is ibadat ka yeh hi dastoor hai.

I m sure that in Mumbai itself one would be able to witness this site on innumerable occasions let alone in the entire Country. Every road, by lane, a small alley would have at least one effigy of God decorated with its very basic and subtle intricacies. Personally, to me it epitomizes empyrean faith. A Faith that keeps us going and a faith that would live in us forever.

Now, the inelligentsia may argue against such manifestations in its existing form citing infrastructure as one of the causes. And while I don't entirely disagree with them, but I certainly would not desert the layman's pysche on this issue as well. Its not that I m against the concept of development, but from the layman's perspective one needs to keep in mind their perspectives as well and as such, their viewpoint should not entirely be discarded. As far as the photograph is concerned, I m in love with it.

Watchful

This picture was intended to be something else. Actually I had found three of them hanging about in a similiar fashion staring mysteriously somewhere, and just when I decide to click them the company disintegrated.
Anyway, I found him rather very engrossed with this gaze. He seemed to be oblivious to everything at that time and had fixed his attention to something that only he would know of. And I can say that because after I got my snap I did fiddle around with the nearest tree, and did all I could to break his spell, but was unsuccessful at it. Well, that's where I got my tag from.

Safety or Superstition???

For most part of my childhood and I guess even now I have witnessed this sight so many times. People tying a lemon and few red chillies to their transports as a mark of safety (supposed to be considered auspicious). I have never understood its significance...or rather, have never tried to understand its significance. It is out of my space of logic to understand how exactly is this combination so auspicious or for that matter how does it even denote safety. But then, I think deep down all of us are like that, we all have our own fears and inhibitions. And at such times, belief belies even the strongest of arguments.

After a hard day's work

I usually see such carts a lot throughout the day, usually going to and fro the same destination a numerous times carrying abundant load. So this was a good change to see the cart at ease completely by itself. As much as I respect the people who ride such carts and work all day to earn a meagre sum I also wished the government would do something to educate them in regards the treatment towards the animals.

This was clicked post midnight at somewhere around 1:30 AM. Hence that little disparity (noise) in the pic is visible.

Daybreak

The tag here is self-explanatory. It was just that I got up this morning to study and revise a few concepts barely feeling like it. And this was what I saw outside the windw. So, yeah my concentration was pretty much- vivid, to say the least. Besides, leap years could be a more recurring phenomenon given the number of times that I get up so early in the morning to study. [:P]

Valiant

This tree was standing tall defending himself against those roaring clouds ready to pour everything that they had on what seemed to them an insignificant existence; while the tree putting up a rather valiant effort to fend-off the obvious.

Personally, I just loved the combination of this tree and the thundering clouds at the backdrop. I had clicked this one at the b/w tone simply to create the desired effect.

Cluster

Here, there is not much of an intense thought process involved as far as the tag goes. The tag is almost self-explanatory, representing a cluster of marble pieces concentrated at one place. Its just an abstract and a visual portrayal of the word 'Cluster'. As far as particulars are concerned, this picture had been taken at this suburban restaurant that I had visited.

Dimensions

Often we view our lives in varied dimensions. We all have diverse perspectives, individualistic ideas and more often than not, conflicting opinions about well, everything. And all these varied and wide-ranging dimensions circumscribe a life.

Actually, to be quite honest I didn't at all intend to take this picture, it's just that I was walking on the road altering a few camera settings to click something else, but there I found this, I guess was just lucky enough to click this one!!!

Hierarchy

Four elevated water pipes neatly synchronized in a well-defined style, as if to lend firmness and solidity to the edifice. That's all that I was thinking while taking this picture. It was just a casual walk alongside the station road when I noticed this strucutre and was quite amused by its design. Not that, there was any novelty element in it but i quite liked this false impression of 'seemingly' following a chain of command that was created by these water pipes. As for particulars this place is the Railway Colony at Bandra.

Porous

Here, the layout of the structure speaks for its title. I just loved the way how the entire wall has been engraved into a partly slabbed, partly holed arrangement giving it a very porous look for anything to pass through and back again. Generally such walls are found at several places, forming a part of what one may call the retro architecture. But at times, the most simplest of architecture can look most stunning.

Intermittent Light

This was completely a chance click. I was in the car going somehwere, when i had clicked this picture.... Barely expecting the photo to come out the way it has!!!

However when I saw the end result, it completely took me by surprise. I really liked the way how sunrays fall over the trees creating a black-out sort of an effect. Moreover I loved the arrangement of the trees here, One lagging behind the other.... Initially I was to title it as "Dance" owing to such an arrangement. However later, thought more for this title.

Relationship

I have dedicated this picture to my sister.

'Relationship' is the first word that came to my mind immediately after I clicked this picture. I think all the relationships are special by virtue of them being relationships. And all relationships have a certain essence which binds it beatifully.... and that's what I attempt to show here. The different petals indicate different phases in a relationship; sometimes very extraordinary and at times very basic, but what really binds a relationship is its essence, which lies in its truthfullness, honesty and respect. One may say that I might be generalising here, but it is just that this is the way how I see a relationship...

Celebrity

In a way this was a chance click. I was just walking by this small lane when somewhere from nowhere these leaves fell on to the ground right in front of me. So yeah, one may not be wrong in saying that i clicked this photograph only because the leaf fell.But personally, I just loved the play of colours here....

A pleasantly green leaf falling on earth while being bestowed by intense sunlight only to make it look so empyrean. And as I speak about the leaf falling and breathing its last, I only get reminded of this beatiful poem by Rumi:-

I died as a mineral and became a plant,

I died as a plant and rose to animal,

I died as animal and i was a man.

Why should I fear? When was I less by dying?

- Jalal ad-din Muhammad Balkhi Rumi

Ignorance...

There is a fine line of difference between silence and ignorance....

At times we choose to remain silent & then there are times when we just "sleep over" things. And that’s what I attempt to show here. The sealed lips indicates silence where as closed eyes show the signs of being uninformed, and the whole frame in its entirity indicates Ignorance. Not that I m being preachy or anything but since I am talking about silence, ignorance and all such things I'd just like to urge all those who visit my blog [if any] to go ahead and please vote. And as I speak of it a beautiful verse which has been written by a friend strikes me:

But parasthi se hame aakhir kya fayda,

Gar Khuda insaan hota, toh aaina hi kafi tha.

- Amit julka

Network

Here there is not much of an intense thought involved so far as the description goes. To put it simply, I just loved the way how each water pipe is conneected to another one and that in turn is connected to the other one as if forming a network of water pipes.....

This is also a form of architecture and personally, i think its simply outstanding!!!

Reminiscences

Reminiscences implies everything. Reminiscences of all the best and the worst times I've ever had, reminiscences of all the good and the bad things....and also of those which fall somewhere in between, reminiscences of all such memories which form an inherent part of my existence, a few reminiscences of me- somewhere lost and then found again!!!

As for particulars I was just passing by one of those very silent alleys when i noticed this abandoned lawn- the sight quite fascinated me!!!

Solitude

Quite honestly, I had taken this picture very casually. I was on my way to this coffee shop just a few yards away from where I stay. So I just decide to walk when I see him asleep. Not that I was witnessing this sight for the first time, but for some reason I thought of taking a picture of it. I have always seen him randomizing across the streets and chasing behind cars and eating fodder. But this moment was his solitude. Solitude often has a negative connotation, but at this moment it seemed that he was proving the theory wrong. This moment was all about his comfort, his repose, his luxury and yeah, definitely his Solitude.

Abode

Home....an expression so quintessential and so complete in itself!!!Home implies safety, madness, fun, attachment and so much more.
And as I clicked this photo I only marvelled at its very essence. I totally adored the very sight of this deserted house with hues of trees all around and an open door, which speaks volumes by its stillness. As for the particulars, this house is a part of the Western Railway Colony in Bandra which is home to around 100 to 120 families. I was just loitering with a few friends here when I saw this house. Needless to say, I stood fascinated by the sight.

Mirror Reflections

I totally love these pictures!!! This was again clicked on my way to Udaipur, when this bus that I was commuting in halted at a particular juncture.

That's when I saw this incredible sight of the rays of the evening Sun falling on this abandoned tree. Without wasting a second I had clicked what I really wanted to click; but then for some really peculiar reason i started fiddling with it and ended up making the actual picture 3 shades lighter; At first I failed to realise the beauty or the significance of this revised photo. But then when I looked at both of them in a quick succession I stood completely awestruck by the unrealistic aura that it created.

For particulars, the first picture from the top is the one that i had clicked and the second picture is the one derived at after making it 3 shades lighther.

Demure

Charisma, Magnificence, Elegance, Splendor are few to the endless list of adjectives which would go into describing this picture. Who knows what actually lies behind this covered face? Who knows what expressions does this covered countenance behold? Who knows what emotion is living inside this beautiful portrait? Who knows.....

Longing...

I was completely awestruck by the glaring contrast of sunshine and shade in the same frame. And also speaking of it, the contrast also lies in the objects of the photograph.

The extremely static and lifeless nature of the leaf and its frantic efforts to reach the shade or; the petal which quitely rests in shade and its desire to taste the sunshine.

And as I go on to describe this picture a briliant verse struck me:

Kabhi kisi ko mukkammal Jahaan nahi milta

Kahin zameen toh kahin Aasman nahi milta....

- Mirza Ghalib

Hale

This view is supposed to be the view outside Hotel Avion at Lonavala.....For some very odd reason on this particular day a friend of mine decides to wake me up at 6:30 AM for a 'morning walk', wonder what he was thinking......

Anyway, much to my own chagrin i decided to accompany him only to find myself looking at these plants which looked as fresh as ever and the very next moment I decided to take a picture of it....Needless to say, my friend regretted waking me up, as far as i am concerned....what a walk!!!

Radiance

Well, this is one picture that i am immensely proud of.

It was a single bud amidst countless leaves, and the whole sight in itself was striking.....Everything about it was so exquisite, be it the subtlety of- well, the entire frame or the distinctive shine on the tip of this bud or simply call it the grandeur of nature.....

As for the particulars this picture was again clicked at Udaipur.

Experience

Well, there comes a sequel- not literally, but of sorts....

This is suppossed to be my neighbours scooter, which he has been riding it since his younger days....obviously, since then both of them have matured, grown old and have had their own experiences, but still they share the same fondness....how else would one describe its existence of it??? (referring to the vehicle)

As for the scooter..... there it stands- tattered, broken and thoroughly unkempt....but, it stands!!!

Seasoned

Well, this tree is situated right outside my house, and I have been seeing it since forever now.....
Everything about it fascinates me, its shrunken branches which were once so full of life, or the very fact that he has seen his share of sunshine but still refuses to stoop- standing taller than ever. I realise that this personification may sound a little over the top, but then I also didn't want to take away its honesty from it. Moreover this is quite my idea of 'down, but not out'
Initially, I was to name this picture as Experience however, then I settled for Seasoned. As for "Experience", I have clicked another picture using that title.

Corruption

This picture is a satire for what i m trying to denote. If we make a venn diagram of irresponsiblity, irrationality, thoughtlessness, illiteracy and other such evils the outer most circle would be that of Corruption. Probably used as generic term for all the evils. And that's where lies the satire!!!

Particulars: This picture was clicked during this competition that my college was holding.....the Intra Crime Scene Investigation

Aspiration

I just loved the way how each and every storey of this builiding faints away to nothingness.....Aspirations of a human can be traced to a similiar pattern. It starts at a very elementary level and goes on to become something completely unknown- at times it fades away somewhere or, at times becomes glaringly intense, but whatever its nature may be, these aspirations may also have to undergo journey of their own........and in that sense, one may see the storeys of this building as the journey or, the obstacles or just aspirations.....