A child - Snapshot

Innocence of this child caught my attention driving on a Delhi road... don't know what more to say...

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Spring In Delhi - Snap shots

Its lovely to see the beautiful flowers around in Delhi at this time of the year! I went to IGNCA, New Delhi to visit an exhibition, but it was a Monday, which happens to be their weekly off.  So I captured these pics of the little garden maintained by them in their vicinity.

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Anugunj - The Lohar And Agaria Origin Myth

The iron frame and little figures within look like some antique look show piece of a modern Living room, but these metal figures represent some well preserved myths by the people of Chhhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in India.  Here goes the stories:-

The Agaria Origin Myth

Region - Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India

When God wished to create living beings, he found the earth submerged under the sea and Keechakmal, the earthworm feeding on it.  With the help of Kakamal (crab), the row and the earthworm itself, he manged to establish the earth on waters.  To ensure its stability, he commanded Agaris, Tamasu, Kansasur to secure it with iron, copper and (erazed text) respectively, thus stabilizing the earth for habitation.

The Lohar Origin Myth

Region - Bastar, Chhattisgarh, India

Sabarsi, the King of Loharipur had twelve sons, of whom Logundi was the eldest.  Angarmati was the only daughter.  All road in Loahripur were made of iron and all citizens subsisted on molten iron.  They were so self sufficient that even during the twelve year long famine, only the people of Loharipur did not seek divine intervention.  This roused the wrath of the sun God who trapped these unsuspecting people into touching water, an act, which robbed them of the gift to digest molten iron.  It was Angarmati, whose Jwalamukhi, later avenged his family by imprisoning Sun and Moon in an iron cage.

 

You may visit 'Anugunj' - a travelling exhibition based on myths and folk beliefs of India has been organised in theNational Museum, Janpath, New Delhi 

from 15 Sep 2011 to 11 Oct 2011. 

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The Saora Origin of life Myth - Anugunj

'Anugunj' - a travelling exhibition based on myths and folk beliefs of India has been organised in the National Museum, Janpath, New Delhi 

from 15 Sep 2011 to 11 Oct 2011. 

To know more about the 'Anugunj' click here and on the pic below

Saora Origin Myth - See from top extreme left

The Saora Origin Myth originates from Shrikakulam, Andhra Pradesh (India).  According to this,  in the beginning, there existed on earth just two creatures- an eagle and an insect inhabiting a dried gourd.  The eagle gave birth to the whole animal kingdom and the insect to the first man and woman who in turn bore two sons and two daughters.  Out of the various tools fashioned by their father, the elder sons choose only the hoe and preferred the rock and his descendants came to be called the Saoras.  The younger son on the other hand inherited the fertile soil along with all the implements, thus becoming ancestors to all other castes.

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Charm of Old Buildings

On my recent visit to Jaipur, while waiting for others to finish their breakfast, I was waiting near by where I noticed this metal plate with some numbers,  fixed on a huge door.

 

I was tempted to click the picture of the building.  Old and traditional looking, but an AC fitted there.

 

I don't know why should I be so excited about spotting an old building, when there are plenty of them in Delhi itself.  But clicked it because I felt like!

 

Such buildings remind me of Daryagunj in Old Delhi where I would go to stay with my cousin's family when I was a little kid.  I think that's why I feel connected to such old kind of buildings.

Seen near Nainital

A small temple - characteristic of any place in Northern India - you'll find them at a place least expected. This was on a road side.

An old hut at a place called Mangoli

 

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The Beggar Girl - Portrait

This little girl was begging with her mother on the streets of Jaipur, the place I visited recently.  She managed to grab some leftover glass of lassi.  My kids didn't like it one bit when I clicked a beggar's photograph.

It's really painful to see small children drowned in the drudgery of a life(style) inherited by parents and sometimes by the streets they are born on.  Seeing small children into begging is much more painful because it's not a thing of choice for them, it's just the way of life.

As a mother ad as a person, I feel sad because, it's ultimately destiny which decides on which side of the line (above or below the poverty line) any person will be born into.  It could be me too.

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Chameleon - Snapshot

I waited for it to change its colors.... but in vain!

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The Flight - A snap

I was keeping extremely busy all these days.  Blogging requires such dedicated continous effort, that for some time I felt I'll never be able to get back to my little space in the cyber space.

Sharing a picture I clicked on a holiday.  Observe the various stages of flight of the birds.

They are so free unlike us, humans.  Or are they even free? Is there something like freedom, absolute freedom? freedom from everything? I doubt that.

Take care

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Rowing My Boat At Nainital!

I spent my last weekend at Nainital, the 'Lake District' of India.  Nainital is headquarter of Nainital District. It is also divisional Headquarter of Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand State of India.  The most prominent of all the lakes of the 'Naini' Lake which is in the shape of a human eye.  The lake is surrounded by hills and makes a beautiful, picture perfect view.

An important mythological reference to Nainital is as one of 64 ‘Shakti Peeths’.These centres were created wherever parts of charred body of Sati fell ,when Lord Shiva was carrying around her corpse in grief .It is said that the left eye (Nain) of Sati fell here and this gave rise to patron deity of town Nainital . It is said that the lake is formed in the emerald eye shape . Naina Devi temple is located at the northern end of the lake . Thus name of Nainital derivated from Naina and the tal (Lake).

The Naini Tal

The view from my hotel window

The small boats in the lake sailing around in leisure

The sail boat.

The view at night

clicked while in the boat

See the clouds above

The quacking duck.  The filth that surrounded was appalling.

Clicked this pic at a place called 'Mangoli' while returning from Nainital.  This huge tree seems to have fallen on the nearby hut due to strong winds.  I was amazed to see how this humble hut to withstand the heavy weight of the tree.

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National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

If you want to spend some quiet time admiring the paintings of some greatest artists of our country, right from pre-independence time, then you must head to the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.

If you thought art was all about deciphering those strange lines and splash of colors, then think again.  You'll love the calmness and the greenery of the place.

Since photography was not allowed inside the gallery, I can't get any images for you here.  Although, I equally loved the sculptures strewn all around the premises of the gallery.  I really liked this one.

I have something to share too. My poem "Ma, I wish I was beaten black and blue" is at Asiamag with the title "Black and Blue".  Do have a look.


Take care


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Mahabharata Exhibition At IGNCA New Delhi

A huge idol of Duyodhana was there on the open ground of IGNCA.  Since, I reached there one day late, so all the decorative paints, embellishments were gone from the idol.  I searched the net and found the decorated picture of the same.  See the link and you will how HUGE it was!!

The exhibition began with an introduction on Mahabharata.  

One whole section showed the various military strategies used by the two teams in the war of Mahabharata - Kauravas and Pandavas.  As we know, they would arrange their armies in certain patterns to counter their enemies.  Depending on the shape that arrangement took, they were named like the one above is called "Vajra Vyuha". Understandably, the above Vyuha was designed by Pandavas.

I have missed out on the name of this Vyuha, but it is of Kauravas

The look from inside.

Handicraft work depicting a horse rider or is that a camel?!

Analyze this one!!!!!! This was life size idol..... so tall... I could hardly reach up to his chest level.  And the eyes were so real.... OMG... I looked at him and jumped with fear thinking he was real!!!!! Hats off!! such real art!!

To be contd...

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Jay Utsav - A Treat For Eyes

Delhi is truly a hub of culture.  And being a restless soul, I look for such events like art exhibitions or something to do with history, because all these lift me.  I feel very rejuvenated after visiting such a place.  Recently, an acquaintance asked me as to how to deal with loneliness or depression?  I told her to connect with art, history, science, or nature.  You don't have to be a real arty person to appreciate a painting or an idol, you just have to try to see what the creator might have felt creating this piece.  Any form of art connects us with the artist, the creator.

I got an opportunity to visit Jay Utsav, Celebrating Living Traditions of Mahabharata, at IGNCA New Delhi a few months back.  Actually, I missed the food court (Bheem Ki Rasoi), the Art and Craft bazaar, as I reached there one day late! But still the exhibition was on.

Have you ever seen a tree, decorated this way? I had never seen it! The sacred thread (Mouli) tied so symmetrically around the trunk and branches of a huge tree make it look so pious, isn't?!

And while, I was clicking the tree, I spotted the nest of weaver bird (I think so)

This is the place where the food court and  craft bazaar was there. I loved this sculpture!

It was spring time, so lovely flowers welcomed us!

A little glimpse of the exhibition. An exhibition on the theme of Mahabharata. In the pic, you can see Bheema tearing Jarasandh into two parts, during the war. (Thanks Bookworm for correcting me)

The exhibition was a RIOT of colours!!!!

To be contd....

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Ancient Monuments Of India - Snaps

In the series of posts, covering the various facets of the photography of the legendary photographer of the British times, Raja Deen Dayal, I am posting a few pictures of monuments.  All the credit of the pics is to IGNCA, the organisation which showcased the exhibition of these old pictures.Also see this and this too.

"With in-born love for his country Raja Deen Dayal travelled extensively. He toured the country by rail and bullock-cart, taking along mounds of photographic paraphernalia from stacks of heavy glass-plates to bulky cameras. Academic training in draughtsmanship and his own painterly vision enabled him to bring out amazing depths, details and breath-taking widths with large uniform areas of sharpness and highly accentuated perspectives.

He photographed ancient monuments, archaeological sites, places of worship, forts, palaces and their interiors, townscapes, forests and rivers, leaving behind vital historical and cultural documentation."  IGNCA

I wish, I had captured the write up about these wonder photographs, then I would have been in a position to tell something about the places.... It seems I was so mesmerised that I didn't think about it at that time! Only the last pic shows "Street view of Hyderabad".

Enjoy!

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