Clicked on 21 May 2005 / Pottery town (*album) / Team - Rakesh, Karthik

In many parts of India people place or hang demon (rakshas) heads made out of clay on the exterior of their house. It is done to ward off any evil or misfortune from befalling the house.

Even my parent’s in Bangalore including many of their neighbors display one on their house, though, not all of them are as colorful as these.

*Purchase this photograph on Prints via Redbubble.com[or] on Mouse Pads, Post Cards and Coffee Mugs via Zazzle.com

Clicked on monochrome film | 12 September 2004 | Nandi Hills (*album)

My friend and fellow photographer, Zeeshan sat and tinkered with his camera, while I took the liberty to frame this shot with him in it.

I am so happy that the negatives from this trip lasted until now and I was able to make a high resolution scan of it.

Nandi Hills, also known as Nandidurg has a rich history dating back to the time of the King Tipu Sultan of Mysore, and stands tall at a height of 4851 ft. (1478 meters) above sea level.  The stone statue of Nandi, the bull (Lord Shiva’s ride) is seen in the background housed under a stone ceiling supported by stone pillars with intricate carvings engraved on them.

Nandi Hills, has become a popular tourist destination and considering it proximity to the Bangalore International Airport, its popularity is growing.

*Purchase this photograph on Prints via Redbubble.com[or] on Mouse Pads and Post Cards via Zazzle.com

Clicked on monochrome film / 01 May 2006 / Achalu Betta (*album)

The hike up Achalu Betta (Betta means hill) remains fresh in my mind to this day. I did not even know such a place existed until the day prior. It was brought up as a possible location by the ever enthusiastic and shutter crazy Sudarshan. He knew a friend from Nayakanahalli, a village neighboring the hill, and that mixed with its close proximity to Bangalore the choice was made. At sunrise we (Jayanth, Venky, Nish, Satz, Sudu and I ) headed to Achalu Betta armed to the teeth with our gear .

A small hike, sprinkled with photography, a dip and coracle ride in the lake at Nayakanahalli, hot lunch at a local’s (Sudu’s friend) house, and then some beer made this an unforgettable outing.

Among the many photographs I clicked this had been one I had look forwarded to. When the scans from the lab came in I was disappointed, for it looked like I had completely screwed up the metering. Here I am now a couple of years later scanning some of my old negatives myself, and what do you know??  It came out the way I had originally wanted it. Woohoo!

*Purchase this photograph on Prints via RedBubble.com [or] on Mouse Pads, Cards and Bags via Zazzle.com

Clicked on monochrome film / 1 May 2006 / Achalu Betta (*album)

The uneven ground made it seem as though the statue was sinking and the rock with the kid on it rising…

*Purchase this photograph on Prints via Redbubble.com[or] on Mouse Pads and Post Cards via Zazzle.com

Clicked on 30 July 2005 / Belur & Halebeid (*album)

‘Divine’ is one of my all time favorite pictures. It manages to instill a sense of serenity within me every time I look at it.

I remeber the seconds of hurry prior to this click. The temple was crowded and photography inside was quite difficult due to lack of light. People were seated here and there praying / pondering while many others were walking in and out.

I stood staring at the door, visualizing the clicky possibilities. I was still using a film SLR camera at the time and hence would not know if I got what I clicked the way I visualized it until later.

As I stood there muttering to myself, I saw a man seated in contemplation and the beautiful light coming from the door way and my fingers went jittery with excitement. And just as I was wishing for the other people around him to step out of the door it happened. It lasted only a couple of seconds before the dude who was seated got up and left… but it was enough.

*Purchase this photograph on Prints via Redbubble.com [or] Mouse Pads, Posters, Tote Bags and T-Shirts via Zazzle.com

Clicked on 25 September 2005 / Maddur (*album) / the team – Satz, Sudu, Venky

Striving to get ahead, to be in the limelight, curious and competetive in an ever growing population.

Clicked on 28 June 2005 | Garden

Surrounded by Nature’s brilliance with the wind flowing through my hair and across my face. The smell of wet earth as rain drops collide with the harsh ground… as time slows down. I close my eyes and feel the peaceful bliss cruising through my veins, pulsing with every beat of my heart… trying to dissolve into the surroundings to become a part of it.

Such was my craving / desire to be on a trek roughing it out. But where was I??

I was at my parent’s house in Basaveshwarnagar (India) having tea. I decided to go out into the garden with my camera hoping / wishing that somehow I could satisfy this hunger. I looked around for a while and didn’t find anything… frustrated I laid down on the grass cussing away at the sky.

Few minutes passed and I rolled over to watch the blades of grass dance to a non-existent breeze. I picked up my camera, put the viewfinder to my eyes and looked through it hoping to capture this imaginary breeze.

As I tried hard to focus on the blades of grass, the realization hit me and I stopped. The greeny haze I saw through the out of focus lens represented in essence what I was craving… and … I was at peace.
Why am I writing about it now?? I feel the same craving today and so I decided to relive this picture, hoping to placate my heart. And I have to say, its worked… I feel much better.

Clicked on 21 June 2006

Myself and Jessica at our wedding… Sigh!

It was a day of joy and celebration at Ganjam, a 150 year old house on Bull Temple road (Bangalore) which has been converted into a wedding hall (Kalyan Mantap). Emotions flied high and everything worked out as planned with some minor hiccups here and there. Jessica looked stunning draped up in a red silk saree with gold thread and swarovski crystals… she wore a different one for the reception, a magenta colored silk saree with gold thread and she looked all the more beautiful.

It was a Vedic style Hindu wedding conducted by Arya Samaj wherein every step of the wedding process, every mantra is translated and explained. We had Mrs. Sharma, a very well known and respected person who manages the Arya Samaj (Indiranagar) preside over the wedding and do the translating. My relatives were impressed and happy that someone finally demystified all the chanting and symbolic processes. The wedding was on a live webcast. We did this so many of her relatives and friends (and some of mine) could watch as it happened and be a part of it from thousands of miles away.

I thank everyone for their good wishes. We are truly blessed.

Clicked on 21 May 2005 / Pottery town (*album) / Team – Rakesh, Karthik

Though the pots are empty, each attempts to fill the other but never fully… I feel that Life is similar in some ways… empty and yet filled at the same time.

Clicked on monochrome film / March 2006

The present boy friend of the feline beauty that wanders the terrace top (at home). Uncle feeds these strays twice a day and they seem to be having a blissful time. This fellow had a wicked smile (I will post that pic another day) and would not even let me get a few feet from him. I had tried many times previously and failed but not on this occasion. I went prostrate and crawled on my belly holding my 300mm, moving inch by inch slowly until I got close enough. He had his paw around a metal rod that rested on the railing… it used to house an antenna and he appeared as though he was wielding it with intent

Considering my awkward position I tried my best not to get a camera shake and landed a few clicks.