.

Deora Haveli HDR

2012-01-25T17:56:00.001-08:00

Deora Haveli HDR, originally uploaded by Saumil U. Shah.

The Deora Haveli in Fatehpur is one of the larger havelis. We went inside and upstairs for a look. The caretakers live here now. This is one haveli that is slowly deteriorating. Parts of the inner artwork are still magnificent. I can only imagine what these villages and havelis must have been in their glory days!

The Shekhawati region played host to many wealthy merchants of India, who run some of the top business houses in the country today. The villages in this region are adorned by beautifully painted havelis. Sadly most of these magnificent havelis are in a dilapidated state because the owner families dont care about them anymore, but a few are still in good shape.

Fatehpur is one of the villages in the Shekhawati region in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan.

Home Alone

2012-01-25T17:50:00.001-08:00

Home Alone, originally uploaded by fotogimmick.

Their entire front portion of the house was destroyed by the Highways dept. Yet sitting on the veranda of the left over of what they now call as "home" these children still continue their studies...

The Fisherman

2012-01-20T08:55:00.001-08:00

The Fisherman, originally uploaded by Tapas Biswas.

Shot at Chandipur beach in Orissa, India. The Fisherman was returning from the sea at end of his day's work.

Suru Valley (India) - A shepherd girl

2012-01-20T08:52:00.001-08:00

Suru Valley (India) - A shepherd girl, originally uploaded by ๑۩๑ V ๑۩๑.

Our plan was to climb the nearby Lago La (3900m). It looked very close but the more we climbed the more impossible it seemed. I had had "Delhi belly" the previous day so I was extremely weak but decided not to give up and in the end I managed to reach the pass (Anita and Aron gave up midway). It was worth the effort as I saw two magnificent glaciers on the mountain on the other side.

Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai, India

2012-01-20T00:23:00.001-08:00

Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai, India, originally uploaded by marco_alt.

Dhobi Ghat is a well known open air laundromat in Mumbai, India. The washers, locally known as Dhobis, work in the open to wash the clothes from Mumbai's hotels and hospitals. There are rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone.

New Delhi, India - when i look into your eyes

2012-01-20T00:20:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, India #32 - when i look into your eyes, originally uploaded by Jazman1.

This happened at an intersection in Noida not far from New Delhi. The girl begs for money whenever there is a red light. And she picked our car and stuck to it for the entire duration of the red light. I'm guessing that her experience has taught her that foreigners are easier to compromise and the rewards are bigger.

Test of Courage , Jallikattu

2012-01-16T20:50:00.001-08:00

Test of Courage , Jallikattu, originally uploaded by Ranjith Shenoy.

Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations usually on Mattu Pongal day. This is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era. Although it sounds similar to the Spanish running of the bulls, it is quite different. In Jallikattu, the bull is not killed and the 'matadors' are not supposed to use any weapon. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival. There is specific breed of cattle bred for this purpose which are called by two common name, Jellicut and from the place of a big breeder Pulikulam

Bye India, I'll miss you.

2012-01-15T22:18:00.001-08:00

Bye India, I'll miss you., originally uploaded by Brock Whittaker Photography.

I'm going to miss India. The culture of India runs through my veins. The experiences; unforgettable. A kid running up to me, just to get their photo taken; priceless. Even though I have lived here for shorter than any other place ever, I have had better experiences than ever. They always say "hindsight 20/20" when people end up missing somewhere they hated to live, but I have some foresight 20/20, and I know I am going to miss everything about India. In these exact six months that I have lived here, I have made better friends than ever, taken better photos than ever, learned about Hinduism and a culture that seemed so different to ours. All of these experiences, I would never trade for anything. I have no regrets about India, except for not staying longer.

Everyone should look past the trash in the streets, and the spitting, and see that India is home to the nicest group of people on the planet, that will do anything and everything just to make you happy. Indians who we had just met a few weeks prior, would invite us to weddings, dinners, grill-outs, and gatherings. Their religion may seem ridiculous from a western point of view, but by befriending some Indians who were Hindus, and talking to them about their religion, I find it to be incredibly amazing. From proverb to proverb, they live in a better way because their religion is built on the sayings of what is right and wrong, and hospitality. They then share these with you, and rarely ever mistreat you.

Everyone should be able to experience this at least once. Unfortunately, going to see the Taj Mahal, and walking around the posh streets of Delhi doesn't get you to see the real India, but if, and when you do, you will fall in love with it just like I have.

Marigold, Kolkata

2012-01-15T22:11:00.001-08:00

Marigold, Kolkata, originally uploaded by Marji Lang.

A widow surrounded by marigold flower garlands at Calcutta's flower market.
West Bengal, India.

The Kolkata Flower Market is the eastern India's largest flower market, marigold garlands are used in Hindu festivals, to decorate the gods, and placed around visitors' necks.

Just another evening...

2012-01-12T05:54:00.001-08:00

Just another evening..., originally uploaded by Shrey Chauhan.

I should make it a habit to carry my camera to the office... Best way to utilize free office time and to produce picture like this...

Was getting ready to capture the sunset from the amphitheater of the campus, but then saw this and my 'HDR hungry soul' forced me to click it...
A shot from Infosys chennai

Haji Ali Dargah

2012-01-12T04:45:00.001-08:00

Haji Ali Dargah, originally uploaded by Ranjith Shenoy.

The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the Southern part of Mumbai. Near the heart of the city proper, the dargah is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Mumbai
An exquisite example of Indian Islamic architecture, associated with legends about doomed lovers, the dargah contains the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.

Kirkee War Cemetery, Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001-08:00

Kirkee War Cemetery, Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA, originally uploaded by Shailesh_Mak.

It commemorates nearly 2000 soldiers who died during wars fought in the period of 1914-1918. Their graves are currently located in various locations in India and Pakistan. Located nearby is another memorial dedicated to about 193 soldiers of East and West African origin. These soldiers had lost their lives during the period of 1939-1945 in various non-operational zones around the country.

people on a ghat

2012-01-09T06:43:00.001-08:00

people on a ghat, originally uploaded by bilwander.

In the heavily silted and polluted waters of Hooghly river, Ganges' biggest distributary, Calcutta.

World I see from here... (2000 years old Sree/Siri Sharada Preet Devi Temple, Sharada, Kashmir, Pakistan)

2012-01-03T12:13:00.001-08:00

World I see from here... (2000 years old Sree/Siri Sharada Preet Devi Temple, Sharada, Kashmir, Pakistan), originally uploaded by Black-Z-ro.

The ancient temple of Sree Sharada. The temple is so ancient that Kashmir was earlier known as 'Sharada Peeth'. The temple is at a height of 11000 fom the sea level and is about 70 miles from Shreenagar. The length of the temple is 142 feet and width is 94.6 feet. The outer walls of the temple are 6 ft. wide and 11 ft long. And there are arches with 8 ft. height. It is a very good example of architecture. Historical proof of old Sharada Devi temple.

In a poetic work composed by Mahakavi Kalhan in the year 1148, there is a mention of Sree Sharadad Devi temple and its geographic location. Matang Sage Shandilya used to meditate in Sharada-van. Near the temple of Sree Sharada Devi, there is 'Amarkund' lake. It is believed that Sage Shandilya got the 'darshan' of Sree Sharada Devi there. In the first verse of 'Prapanchsar' composed by Adya Shankaracharya is devoted to the praise of Sree Sharada Devi.

In the year 1030, the famous Muslim historian Al-Baruni visited Kashmir. According to him, there was a wooden idol of Sree Sharada Devi in Sree Sharada Devi temple. He had compared the temple of Sree Sharada Devi with the Sun temple of Multan (that time in India, presently in Pakistan), Vishnu Chakraswamin temple at Thaneshwar and Somnath temple. Near Sree Sharada Devi temple, there used to be famous Sanskrit university.

During 16th century, Delhi was ruled by King Akbar. Abul Fazal, one of the famous 'Nava-Ratnas' in his Court, has written about Sree Sharada Devi temple that Sree Sharada Devi temple is near the banks of river Madhumati (currently Neelum river) which is full of gold particles. One can experience miracles on every eighth day of the bright fortnight of the month.

In the 14th century, the temple was attacked for the first time. After this attack, India started losing its contact with Krushnaganga and Sharada Peeth. In the 19th century, Dogra king of Kashmir restored this temple.

Many ancient holy books of Hindus were written in Kashmir. From the time of Sage Shandilya, Kashmir was renowned for Sanskrit language, literature, astronomy, astrology and jurisprudence so also as a well-known centre of arts and architecture. In the 8th century, King Lalitaditya ruled over Kashmir. During his time, Kashmir was known as the centre for studies of Hindu religion. There is a mention in the 'Sankhyayan' written by Vinayak Bhatt that in those days, Hindu students use to go to Kashmir for higher studies. In the writings of famous Chinese traveler Yuan Shuang in 7th century, it is mentioned that many saints and scholars lived in Kashmir.

Kashmir was known as Sharada Peeth due to the temple of Sree Sharada Devi. Even today, the Kashmiri script is known as 'Sharada' script. Adya Shankarachrya founded Sharada Peeth at Sharada gram in Kashmir. Sharada Peeth was as famous as the four Peethas at Shrungeri, Dwaraka, Jagannathpuri and Badrikashram founded by Shankaracharya.

Vyas Chhatri, cenotaph, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

2011-12-30T22:14:00.001-08:00

Vyas Chhatri, cenotaph, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, originally uploaded by HaRsH- beyond the lens.

Just north of the fort lies the cenotaph of Sage Vyas, the man who compiled the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the longest scripture in the world with almost 300,000 verses. He dictated the Mahabharata to Ganesh, the god with an elephant-head and son of Shiva the Destroyer.

Vyas Chhatri is also referred to in the city as Sunset Point as it gives you a wonderful view of picturesque Jaisalmer at sundown. The Sunset point over Sooli Dongri is a big hit with tourists and is definitely worth making a trip to if you want a bird’s eye view of Jaisalmer and its adjoining areas.

Iam Anna

2011-12-30T21:58:00.001-08:00

IMG_6196, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

Anna Hazare started three day fast at Mumbai on Tuesday morning to press his demand for strong Lokpal bill. At Delhi key members of Team Anna including Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan simultaneously sat on fast at Ramlila ground in Capital to express solidarity with Anna Hazare. The crowd was only few thousand which was much less than expected by the organizers.The reason for low turn out was perhaps cold weather Delhi is experiencing these days.Many people could be seen with white caps stating “ I am Anna”

Paddy fields, Orissa countryside

2011-12-28T12:58:00.001-08:00

Paddy fields, Orissa countryside, originally uploaded by Marji Lang.

A rural scene during harvest season near Dumuriput village in the Koraput district, Orissa, India.

Holy Rats

2011-12-27T22:45:00.001-08:00

Holy Rats, originally uploaded by Atul Tater.

This isn’t Disney World and Mickey Mouse. In India, there is a temple filled with rats on purpose! It’s called Karni Mata Temple or the Rat Temple in Deshnoke, near Bikaner in Rajasthan. At this temple, the rats are considered sacred and are protected. If you kill one by accident, you must replace it with a rat made out of solid gold.

It is said that it is good luck to see a white rat at Karni Mata. It is also good luck when a rat runs over your foot. This is easy to accomplish; there are some heavy rat-traffic areas along walls between rooms, and if a foot is placed in the path, it will get some rat prints on it.

Say Cheese!

2011-12-27T14:43:00.001-08:00

Say Cheese!, originally uploaded by Chot Touch.

Location: Bangalore, India

Hindu priest

2011-12-27T14:21:00.001-08:00

Hindu priest, originally uploaded by rob of rochdale.

Bhuvaneswari Temple in Udaipur, Tripura.
Tripura is not a popular place with Western tourists so I was one hell of a novelty for the locals.

Bhuvaneswari temple is located on the bank of river Gomati at Udaipur in Tripura. Udaipur is known as the “Temple town of Tripura”. It is situated 55 km from the capital city Agartala. The temple was constructed in the 17th century by Maharaja Govinda Manikya. The Royal palace of the Maharaja can also be visited when you pay a visit to this temple as it is located near the temple.

The Bhuvaneswari temple finds mention in two of the plays of Rabindranath Tagore( won the first noble prize in literature in India) – titled Rajarshi and Bisharjan.

Rhythm of Kerala

2011-12-03T12:14:00.001-08:00

Rhythm of Kerala, originally uploaded by Ranjith Shenoy.

Panchari Melam is a percussion ensemble, canonically lasting more than four hours, performed during temple festivals in Kerala, India. Panchari Melam (or, simply, panchari), is one of the major forms of chenda melam (ethnic drum ensemble), and is the best-known and most popular kshetram vadyam (temple percussion) genre. Panchari melam, comprising instruments like chenda, ilathalam, kombu and kuzhal, is performed during virtually every temple festival in central Kerala, where it is arguably presented in the most classical manner. Panchari, however, is also traditionally performed, with a touch of subtle regional difference, in north (Malabar) and south-central Kerala (Kochi). Of late, its charm has led to its performance even in deep-south Kerala temples. Panchari is a six-beat thaalam (taal) with equivalents like Roopakam in south Indian Carnatic music and Ek taal in the northern Hindustani classical. Another chenda melam which comes close to panchari in prominence and grammatical soundness, is Pandi Melam, performed outside temple precincts in general. Other chenda melams, though less popular, are chempata, adanta, anchatanta, dhruvam, chempha, dhruvam, navam, kalpam and ekadasam. Though there are expressional differences between the panchari and the above-mentioned melams

The Golden City " Jaisalmer" ||Explored||

2011-11-29T08:26:00.001-08:00

The Golden City " Jaisalmer" ||Explored||, originally uploaded by HaRsH- beyond the lens.

Jaisalmer Fort:
in Jaisalmer , you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage. Though you can find historical monuments scattered all over the city, the Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands.
The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja choose Trikuta hill as the new site for his fort as his earlier adobe at Luderwa(16 k.m from present Jaisalmer) was too vulnerable to his comfort. But it should always be kept in mind that these legends are most of the time product of conscious minds that are very vulnerable to the oriental exaggeration.

Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide a regular source of water. Even today, you will find that nearly one fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort. If you are a student of cross-cultural merging, the subtle fusion of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles, visible in this fort, will catch your fancy. Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol are a must see.

Gully

2011-11-29T08:10:00.001-08:00

Gully, originally uploaded by saish746.

Gully cricket is what you see all over India.

Backyard cricket, street cricket, beach cricket, gully cricket, corridor cricket, deef or garden cricket is an informal ad hoc variant of the game of cricket.Whilst loosely based upon the game of cricket, many aspects are improvised: the playing ground, the rules, the teams, and the equipment. Quite often there are no teams at all; the players take turns at batting and there is often no emphasis on actually scoring runs. The bat can be anything, as long as it can hit the ball and can be suitably held in the hands. However, usage of a bat is necessary. A ball is the other essential item. Tennis balls are often used due to the fact that they are less likely to inflict injuries than a cricket ball. They are also much cheaper and more readily available than a leather cricket ball and are easier to hit due to their slower air-speed and relative lightness. Tennis balls also bounce more than normal cricket balls, especially at low speeds. The pitch can be any stretch of ground that is reasonably flat. The wicket may be any convenient object - a chair, a cardboard box, a set of long twigs or sticks, a rubbish bin, tree or a drawing on the wall. Often, the wicket is by no means close to the official size, but it is used anyway. A wicket at the non-striker's end is generally a single stump if proper stumps are available and in the absence of larger objects may be just a hat or a shoe. Its main purpose is to mark the bowler's crease, but can be instrumental when there are two batters and one may be run out.

LIFE IN INDIA

2011-06-18T21:16:00.001-07:00

LIFE IN INDIA, a group on Flickr.

LIFE IN INDIA is a platform for the photographers,researchers and photography enthusiastic passionate to observe the inner walks of life in India from a cultural perspective. We believe that this is a collective effort to know, explore and collate the valuable Indian shots from dispersed platforms meaningfully

India Wins World Cup-12

2011-04-04T00:29:00.001-07:00

India Wins World Cup-12, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

After 28 years Indian Cricket Team won ICC World Cup defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets.Winning shot a sixer was hit by captain M.S.Dhoni at about 22.49 Earlier in the day streets of Delhi were deserted and people were watching match in theirs homes. After sunset one could see people assembling outside for community viewing of match on projected screens.Clubs cinema halls and restaurants had made special arrangements. Soon after one could hear busting of fire crackers or beating of drum to announce victory.People were seen dancing in streets.Roads leading to India Gate were suddenly full of cars and motor cycles carrying people with Indian tricolor.Delhi Police intially restricted movement of traffic to India Gate hexagon but later relented..It is reported that Ms Sonia Gandhi chairperson National Democratic Alliance was also seen congratulating citizens of Delhi

The Musician's Apprentice

2011-03-30T22:00:00.001-07:00

The Musician's Apprentice, originally uploaded by Shutterfeet.

This scene on the shore of Udaipur's Lake Pichola touched me on two levels. First, the traditionally dressed musician and his failing attempt to gather an audience for a dying regional art form. Secondly, but perhaps most encouragingly, the young boy's fascination and absolute focus with the same instrument. Perhaps there is hope......

Gangaur, Udaipur

2011-02-01T05:44:00.001-08:00

Gangaur, Udaipur, originally uploaded by s i a m.

Gangaur is a festival of women celebrated especially in Rajasthan. It is a time for them to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival dedicated to the divine couple of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri. A vow is observed by married women for marital bliss and young girls for ideal husband. Women make clay idols of Lord Isar (Shiva) and Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and worship for 18 days. They sing bhajans or devotional songs as part of Gangaur Puja. During Gangaur festival many fairs or Jatra are celebrated in Jaipur, Udaipur, and many other towns in Rajasthan.

Mewar festival is a fair organized in Udaipur during Gangaur festival. The festival marks the beginning of spring season in the state. Gauri and Isar idols are taken out for a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. Women carry the idols on their heads and place them on the boats of Pichola lake at Gangaur Ghat at the end. Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where the rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other festivities.

society hot

2011-01-01T22:09:00.001-08:00

society hot, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

society, the infamous calcutta theater satiating the city's thirst for pornography before the internet stepped in... once they would run a c-grade film for weeks to packed houses. its only now that dadas and babus are spoilt for choice, thanks to the 'daily change programme.' long live khajuraho ki rani and hot mashooka!

Paternal Grandmother - Kaberi

2011-01-01T22:07:00.001-08:00

Paternal Grandmother - Kaberi, originally uploaded by goddessofxanadu (back very soon!!).

Deepak sits on the lap of his paternal grandmother in the Rajasthani evening. I spoke with his mum, Pooja, for quite a while, she spoke slowly using 'easy' Hindi and some english so I could understand her quite well.

Pooja said she had been relived in the extreme to have produced a son. She had been to the temple every day of her pregnancy to ask that it be so, and still gives thanks each day now.
She appeared a little afraid of Kaberi, and would not talk at all when she was around, just bowing her head.
Deepak was treated like a little prince she said, he would never be allowed to cry or want for attention, and although the family were poor, his needs were first and foremost. Pooja said she feared things would have been 'different' if she had a daughter. "different how?" I asked. But then she seemed to regret having said that and back pedalled.

Pooja seemed to live with a great deal of stress. Her brow was often creased with anxiety and strain. It appeared she was the family drudge. I think I was only tolerated because of the small gifts I bought. I'd met her in the market place, selling mouli, which I am very fond of. We had gotten talking, and she had invited me back to her house.

Tungnath

2011-01-01T22:01:00.001-08:00

DSC_0920, originally uploaded by Vivek Sheel.

Tungnath is the highest temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in the Chamoli district of Tehri Garhwal, in Uttarakhand, India. The Tunganath (literal meaning is lord of the peaks) mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Located at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073.5 ft), the Tungnath temple is the highest Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. It has a rich legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of the Mahabharata epic.

A blind encounter

2010-12-24T22:16:00.001-08:00

A blind encounter, originally uploaded by Night Sky Glow.

Then came the Blind girl's school..Went in not knowing what to expect..Came out with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions..

Taken at the Blind Women's School in Pune, India.

If you ever feel that God doesn't like you or you're unlucky or whatever, you HAVE to visit a school like this. It's the power of the human spirit exemplified.

At Nabhya's level

2010-12-24T22:03:00.001-08:00

At Nabhya's level, originally uploaded by goddessofxanadu (back very soon!!).

This little girl is Nabhya, looking over the shoulder of mum, Sunita, who was camera shy.They both have leprosy and need to beg for their living. Although Sunita's leprosy was advanced and no longer curable (i never saw her face,she never showed it. 'bad' she said.) Nabyha's case is still at a curable stage and I was relieved to hear that Nabhya is being treated at a free facility in Jaipur where they live. Sunita bought out her treatment card to show me, as if to emphasise that she was taking care of her daughter properly, and is a good mum. I had no doubts about that, she seemed a lovely woman.
Nabhya was gorgeous, full of curiosity and mischief, often running around mum and getting herself in to trouble. One day I saw her exploring someone's scooter, and oops- pulling it over.She was fast enough to dodge the falling bike, thankfully.

2010-12-24T21:56:00.001-08:00

., originally uploaded by oochappan.

The Christmas mood was already present on this small festival to inaugurate the young girl as a woman ... from now on she can be married when the right partner comes along.

Merry Christmas to you all !

Tolu Bommalata

2010-12-18T18:38:00.001-08:00

Tolu Bommalata, originally uploaded by Bindaas Madhavi.

Leather puppets are a popular means of rural entertainment through the ages. Leather puppet making is a craft that has carved out a niche for itself in the state. The puppets of mythological figures are used to enact shadow plays, popularly called 'Tolubommalata'.

Tolu Bommalata, the shadow puppet theatre, has been popular not only in Andhra Pradesh, but also in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Orissa as well. While the puppets of Kerala, Maharashta, and Orissa are traditionally black and white, the Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Andhra puppets are multi-coloured. The Andhra puppets are larger in size, with separate parts of the various limbs stitched loosely for better articulation. The earliest mass medium using coloured images, the shadow-puppet theatre has always been popular among rural folk, combining entertainment with moral instruction.

The leather puppets of Andhra Pradesh trace their origins back to around 200 B.C. They were used for shadow plays that travelled the countryside. These puppets are made of buffalo or sheep hide, they are later bleached with local paints. Gods, Horses, elephants, warriors, fruits, cows, birds, deers are the popular figures made. Dharmarao Cheruvupalli in Nellore district, Nammalakunta in Anantapur district and Narasaraopet in Guntur district are the main centres for the production of leather puppets.

A general belief is that the art of puppetry was prevalent in this part of the country even by the beginning of the Christian era. It is also believed that this art was carried from here to the South-East Asian countries where Indians had colonised.
The puppet is coloured on both sides, it can be used both ways depending upon the direction of the head required to suit a scene, especially when the character is engaged in conversation.

The Andhra puppets are the largest multi-coloured puppets in India. The usual size of a puppet ranges between 5X3 to 6X3-1/2 feet. There are even larger figures. Stories usually are depicted from Ramayana or Mahabharata.

Two heads...better than one..

2010-12-16T06:30:00.001-08:00

Two heads...better than one.., originally uploaded by Lopamudra9.

A night shot during a Pushkar show where locals gathered for some late evening song and dance. These two guys with their colourful turbans stood out from the crowd.

Peepli Live

2010-12-16T06:25:00.001-08:00

Peepli Live, originally uploaded by Rahul N.

This pic is taken very close to where the movie Peepli live was shot. Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India. a very typical setup of any Indian village shop, which apart from selling stuff, also serve as local hotspot of gossip and Information exchange about the whereabouts of everyone in the village. It also acts as local GPS, you can stop by any of these shops if you are lost and help is just a word away. If it is raining, these shops also provide temporary roof with refreshing tea. so in many way, these shops are more useful than wallmart

Jama Masjid and Tomb of Salim Chishti

2010-12-16T06:14:00.001-08:00

Jama Masjid and Tomb of Salim Chishti, originally uploaded by saish746.

Jama Masjid or Jami Mosque meaning the Friday Mosque (A.D. 1571-72) as the date of its completion, with a massive entrance to the courtyard, the Buland-Darwaza

A distinguishing feature is the row of chhatri (Seen) over the sanctuary. There are three mihrabs in each of the seven bays, while the large central mihrab is covered by a dome, it is decorated with white marble inlay.

The right corner is shown with White marble building which is Tomb of Salim Chishti: A white marble encased tomb of the Sufi saint, Salim Chisti (1478–1572), within the Jama Masjid's , courtyard. It is encrusted with mother-of-pearl mosaic. Surrounding it is covered passageway for circumambulation, with carved Jalis, stone pierced screens all around with intricate geometric design.

Empower

2010-12-15T18:10:00.001-08:00

Empower, originally uploaded by Vivek Badoni.

This photo was taken in my recent to visit to Barmer in Western Rajasthan which is about 150 km from Pakistan Border. Assignment was to make a documentary on Women and child welfare. Barmer is considered as a very backward area of the state.

I had a preconceived notion about the place and its people specially women. We had to ask and shoot some uncomfortable things..like different stages in pregnancy and benefits and help they receive from hospitals and primary health center during the process.But to my surprise they were quite receptive and open to the topic.Though they were not very comfortable talking before camera but there was certainly a general awareness about their rights and keenness to know new developments in area.

Essence of Pushkar

2010-12-15T10:40:00.001-08:00

Essence of Pushkar, originally uploaded by goddessofxanadu (back very soon!!).

Man, this place is so beautiful, you can't imagine. I walk these ghats in my dreams and always have done. Its the place I like best on Earth. My little guesthouse room overlooks this beautiful view, and in the mornings I am awakened to beautiful kirtans (Hindu mantra chants) , very early. It seems like Pushkar is on another plane, part of the astral. Alas, People suffer on the astral too. The tourists come in busloads now, and just stay for a few hours to shop in the little lanes, and holy men sell heroin on the ghats, but even those things don't den't its magic, for me anyhow.

You aren't supposed to take photo's here - that pool is the bathing ghat (communal bathroom) but everything looked so right here I had to click. The girl in the foreground holding out her washing kind of makes it for me,somehow. And the single bird flying over the buildings.

Ready!

2010-12-15T08:32:00.001-08:00

Ready!, originally uploaded by Vinod Kumar TG.

THIRA
Poothan and Thira is a ritualistic art form found in South Malabar region of Kerala, usually during the festival season of Valluvanad temples from December to May. It is usually performed once or twice a year to cleanse the entire village off evil spirits

Colors

2010-12-13T20:45:00.001-08:00

Colors, originally uploaded by Maulindu Chatterjee.

When green meets dry and barren mountains - at Losar, Spiti Valley, Himachal,India

Where life blooms

2010-12-13T20:38:00.001-08:00

Where life blooms, originally uploaded by oochappan.

Paraipatti - countryside
Made me think a bit at Christmas time,
the stable, the lady pregnant,
who knows, she will have her baby that time ?

crossing the Bridge

2010-12-13T20:26:00.001-08:00

crossing the Bridge, originally uploaded by Samir D.

On the bank of River Brahmaputra... a man is crossing a small canal that leads to Brahmaputra.. Guwahati, Assam..

Bharat Natyam by Prasidha Dance Repertory

2010-12-13T20:18:00.001-08:00

Bharat Natyam by Prasidha Dance Repertory, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

As a part Delhi International Arts Festival an International performance was arranged in Kamani on 12th Dec.

Where are you?

2010-12-11T08:39:00.001-08:00

Where are you?, originally uploaded by profoundmonkey.

At the Delhi Queer Pride Parade 2010. From the look on this girl's face, she's probably trying to spot her friends in the crowd. "You're behind the what? I can't see you!"

Food for life

2010-12-11T08:30:00.001-08:00

Food for life, originally uploaded by sanil photography/myfocuz.com.

These are people who were working in a lake for constructing a resort. in the middle of lake. However there are no facilities of motor boat or anything to take this things there. These guys move the floating pipes slowly by pulling the wooden polls piled inside the lake, it takes an hr to reach the piling ship anchored on the lake

Homage to Gandhi

2010-12-09T07:28:00.001-08:00

Homage to Gandhi, originally uploaded by pallab seth.

An old local farmer grazing his goats rekindled the memories of Gandhi's simplicity and the Sabarmati Ashram.

Technology is a Democrat

2010-12-07T02:24:00.001-08:00

Technology is a Democrat, originally uploaded by emmydavid.

I was at a traffic light and I noticed this young girl on the pavement of Mumbai. She had vessels to clean but was just sitting still.. I wondered why till I saw the headphones.
Technology a few years was a privilege but today it is a great leveller..

Exquisite sculpture ...

2010-12-05T21:11:00.001-08:00

exquisite sculpture ..., originally uploaded by "TVK" SpIrIt LiEs WiThIn.

At Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram.

- Inside garba gudi, there is a passage which goes around the huge siva linga, and its story goes like this - "There is a small passage entrance to the right of the shivalingam through which all devotees are asked to go around the lingam. Exit is small like the entrance...Entire going around can be done by walking. Crawl to get in, walk around and then crawl to get out by the left side of the lingam. This signifies that we crawl our initial days and then walk and grow and then crawl back again. This way Shiva ensures that there is no punarjanma or rebirth for the souls who completes this round."

- Temple also contains numerous panels showing lord Siva as Nataraja in various postures. This sculpture is one of them.

Volunteer =pride parade

2010-12-05T21:09:00.001-08:00

Volunteer, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

The third edition of Pride Parade Delhi took place in central Delhi on 28th November. Over 2000 gays and supporters participated in the parade which started from Barakhama Road and terminated at Jantar Mantar. A stage had been set up from where members of community addressed the gathering. Delhi Police had barricaded the area around the venue. Participants in the rally were wearing colorful masks. Some of them were seen without masks and hugging and kissing their partners. This parade was first after the Delhi High Court judgment revoking the controversial Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalized same sex relationship.
More pictures can be seen here
www.demotix.com/news/521739/pride-parade-2010-delhi

Mud collection

2010-12-05T21:06:00.001-08:00

Mud collection, originally uploaded by Samir D.

These people collect the fresh settled-mud from Ganges and transfer them in Kumortuli, the potter's quarter of Kolkata...
Bag Bazar area, kolkata

Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

2010-12-05T21:00:00.001-08:00

Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, originally uploaded by Himanshu Khagta.

Hidimba Devi Temple of Manali, covered in snow.

Accroding to Mahabharata, a powerful "rākshas" (demon), Hidimb, attacked them, and in the ensuing fight, Bhima, the strongest Pandav, killed him. Bhima and Hidimb's sister, Hidimba, then got married and had a son, Ghatotkacha, (who later proved to be a great warrior in the war against Kauravas). When Bhima and his brothers returned from exile, Hidimba did not accompany him, but stayed back and did tapasyā (a combination of meditation, prayer, and penance) so as to eventually attain the status of a goddess.

It is said that this is the place where she meditated. Inside this temple their is a large stone, under which lies a mural of Hidimba Devi.

Grandma : When a child is born, so are grandmothers.

2010-12-05T03:54:00.001-08:00

Grandma : When a child is born, so are grandmothers., originally uploaded by AgniMax.

A woman carrying her grandchild : A view from Nelliampaty.
We were going back to our room after the long trek. On the way nearby my resort, I head a baby crying and when I went there, I saw an old woman carrying a crying kid. Seeing them I went near to them and showed the cam. The kid stopped crying and started looking at me. Then after playing with baby for a minute, I asked for a shot. Grandma was very happy to pose and all excited when I showed the photo. She said she is ready to pay for it, is it possible to give them a print? I said, why not, no need for any cash n all, ll give the print when I come back next time.. I am so sure that I will visit Nelliyampathy again in a few months time. I will sure visit them too and give them a print

Mysore Dusshera

2010-12-04T10:54:00.001-08:00

Mysore Dusshera, originally uploaded by Mr.Jaywalker.

Mysore Dusshera (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು ದಸರ) is the Nadahabba (state-festival) of the state of Karnataka. It is also called as Navaratri (Nava-ratri = nine-nights) and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October. According to a legend, Vijayadashami denotes the victory of truth over evil and was the day when the Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura is the demon from whose name; the name Mysore has been derived. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival and the festivities here are an elaborate affair and attract a large audience including foreigners.

Karthikai Deepam

2010-11-23T18:14:00.001-08:00

Karthikai Deepam, originally uploaded by Jay Rajamanickam.

This temple is near to my house where people are celebrating Karthikai Deepam, a festival of lights celebrated in Tamilnadu. For this festival, people decorates their houses, stairs and streets with oil lamps.

Don't Tell

2010-11-23T10:38:00.001-08:00

Don't Tell, originally uploaded by Meanest Indian.

This wee boy said I could take his photo but begged me not to tell his play mates where he was hiding.

Security Ranakpur Temple

2010-11-09T19:59:00.001-08:00

security Ranakpur Temple, originally uploaded by Phil Marion.

The renowned Jain temple at Ranakpur is dedicated to Adinatha. Light colored marble has been used for the construction of this grand temple which occupies an area of approximately 60 x 62 meters.

De light - Kumbh mela

2010-11-09T19:54:00.001-08:00

De light, originally uploaded by harimenon4u.

The normal Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 4 years, the Ardh (half) Kumbh Mella is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Prayag,[1] the Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place every twelve years,[2] at four places (Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik). The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela which comes after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas', or 144 years, is held at Allahabad.

The last Maha Kumbh Mela, held in 2001, was attended by around 60 million people, making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world in recorded history

Read more on Wikipedia.

In the news

2010-11-09T19:42:00.001-08:00

in the news, originally uploaded by Handheld-Films.

.sitting outside a temple, catching up on the day's news in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Diwali Wishes

2010-11-08T06:24:00.001-08:00

Diwali Wishes, originally uploaded by Ajit Pal Singh.

A sikh devotee pays his respect by lighting candles at a Gurdwara in Delhi on the eve of Diwali.

Deepavali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Diwali,[1] popularly known as the festival of lights, is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is the most important festival of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Deepavali is an official holiday in India,[2] Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

The name Diwali is itself a contraction of the word "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into row of lamps.Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas, or dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.
During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. Most Indian business
communities begin the financial year on the first day of Diwali.

Read more on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

Painter from the blue city

2010-11-08T00:29:00.001-08:00

end of another working day - painter from the Blue City (Jodphur, India), originally uploaded by Phil Marion.

End of another working day - painter from the Blue City (Jodphur, India)

Ujjain Chapatti

2010-10-29T07:57:00.001-07:00

Ujjain Chapatti, originally uploaded by Allan Rickmann.

Mass production of chapattis in an Ashram which rescues destitute, sick and disabled adults and children in Ujjain, India

Family. Khavda

2010-10-29T07:51:00.001-07:00

Family. Khavda, originally uploaded by Claire Pismont.

The whole family as come to Khavda, in order to buy what is necessary to live rice, water, clothes....
How far we are from our occidental way of life !
A shot from Gujarat.

At leisure

2010-10-26T22:11:00.001-07:00

At leisure, originally uploaded by Bindaas Madhavi.

A calm stressless village life. While the grannies are playing the ludo the mother is swinging the baby in makeshit cradle. Quiet a way of spending siesta time in a village in Anegondi. A shot from Hampi, Karnataka.

Sattriya Dance by Students of Ghana Kanta Bora Borbayan

2010-10-26T22:02:00.001-07:00

Sattriya Dance by Students of Ghana Kanta Bora Borbayan-3, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

The Sattriya dance has evolved out of performances that took shape in the vast network of sattras or monasteries that were established in Assam since the sixteenth century, when the Vaishnava movement led by Shankaradeva (1449-1568) swept the land. Dramatist and composer as much as social and religious reformer, Shankaradeva was the fountainhead of this great array of performance forms, and created a corpus of songs and dance-dramas that constitute the core of the edifice. It has subsequently been built up by the service of generations of artists at the sattras, whence a theatre art of the present day has emerged in recent times. The non-monastic Sattriya dance today is mainly the preserve of the laity.
The principal dances within the gamut of Sattriya are the Sutradhari Nach, the dance of the sutradhara or conductor; Krishna or Rama Nach, the dance of Lord Krishna or Rama; and Gopi Nach, the dance of the gopis or milkmaids of Vrindavana. Some of the other dances within the fold are Rasar Nach, based on the Rasa Lila of Krishna; Yuddhar Nach, a dance of combat using bows (dhanu) and arrows, or clubs (gada); Jhumara, a group dance performed with song but without abhinaya; and Chali Nach, a dance with stress on footwork. An artificial literary idiom, which has been called the Assamese Brajabuli, being a queer mixture of Assamese, Maithili, Hindi, and other elements, is used in Sattriya with intervening Sanskrit verses. The Sattriya dance possesses a number of hastas or hand movements (called hat), choreographic patterns, distinctive costumes, and a variety of masks. The music mostly depends on the khol, a drum associated with Vaishnava devotion in eastern India, and cymbals – pati tal, bhor tal – supporting ragas and other songs. There being no order of nuns in the sattras, there were no female dancers in Sattriya. Even in village performances, female roles were taken by boys. This has changed now, with professional female dancers dominating the stage.
Characters in the dances comprising Sattriya have their own special costumes. The sutradhara is generally dressed all in white: a turban (ready-made, of cloth, sometimes of paper today, and fitted often with silvery ribbon stripes), a long-sleeved jama or shirt, and a fluffy skirt (ghuri) tied on the waist with a waist-band with flower designs on it (tangali). For ornaments he puts on silver bangles (gamkharu) studded with stones, a lace with a drum-like golden bead in the middle (matamani), dangling ear-ornaments of gold (unti), and brass anklets (nepur). The gayan-bayan singers and accompanists are similarly, but more modestly, attired. Krishna, Rama and other male characters drape the legs with dhotis and combine this with colourful embroidered jackets. The gopis and other female characters use bright skirts and shawls. For make-up, colours prepared from vegetable dyes are used, and in most cases characters can be identified by the colours they wear.
Sattriya dance is being presented by the Sattriya Kendra, Guwahati, established as part of Sangeet Natak Akademi’s programme of support to Sattriya dance and associated with the sattras. Naren Chandra Baruah, and Ghana Kanta Bora Borbayan’s group will be performing Sattriya dance. Naren Chandra Baruah, who received his training in Sattriya dance and khol-playing under Paramananda Barbayan, has performed in various prestigious festivals. He is currently teaching Sattriya dance at Mitali Kala Kendra, Guwahati, and in a school for teaching Sattriya called Nrityabhumi which was founded by him. Ghana Kanta Bora Borbayan has been trained in the Sattriya dance and music traditions of Assam by several eminent gurus. He has also received training at the Kamalabari sattra of Majuli, Assam. A teacher of eminence, Ghana Kanta Bora Borbayan has been training students in Sattriya dance and allied disciplines for many years. He has been performing and attending seminars and symposia, introducing the Sattriya art in prestigious festivals in various parts of the country. Ghana Kanta Bora Borbayan has also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 2001 for his contribution to Sattriya dance.(Source Sangeet Natak Academy)

Ooty Railway Man

2010-09-26T00:58:00.001-07:00

Ooty Railway Man, originally uploaded by Allan Rickmann.

Engine Driver filling the tanks of the rack and pinion steam train. The Blue Train takes passangers up to the Hill Station of Ooty in India

Only after a long day's work....

2010-09-24T06:13:00.001-07:00

Only after a long day's work...., originally uploaded by .Praneeta..

can one sleep peacefully!

This is man stays opposite my building and he collects all the garbage around.
It amuses me as to how he manages to sleep even in scorching heat at times!
Hardwork really pays off and gives each person satisfaction in its own way!

Pung Cholam 2

2010-09-23T03:56:00.001-07:00

Pung Cholam 2, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

The Pung cholom is a Manipuri dance. It is the soul of Manipuri Sankirtana music and Classical Manipuri dance. The Pung Cholom is a unique classical dance of Manipur. This dance may be performed by men or women and is usually a prelude to the Ras Lila. In this style, the dancers play the pung (a form of hand beaten drum) while they dance at the same time. Dancers need to be graceful and acrobatic at the same time. They use these acrobatic effects without breaking the rhythm or flow of music. The dance is marked by a gentle rhythm, which gradually builds up to a thunderous climax.

Uttsaha Utsavacha....

2010-09-23T03:51:00.001-07:00

Uttsaha Utsavacha...., originally uploaded by Harshad Pawale.

The traditional way of celebrating the first day of Ganesh Festival...taken Jilbya Maruti Pathak, Pune...

Commonwealth Games 2010

2010-09-23T03:43:00.001-07:00

commonwealth, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

Cannaught place's face lift ahead of Commonwealth games 2010. Delhi. This image is turned upside down.

where the colors are

2010-09-23T03:28:00.001-07:00

where the colors are, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

The devout, moments before breaking the ramadan fast. iftar at jama masjid, old delhi

from last year 2009

A stick at the doorway

2010-09-23T03:27:00.001-07:00

A stick at the doorway, originally uploaded by oochappan.

A stick to chase away monkeys and cows from her salesware in front of her house, seen
on the way down from the Siva Temple back to town.

A well-ordered life is like climbing a tree.

2010-09-23T03:16:00.001-07:00

A well-ordered life is like climbing a tree., originally uploaded by sanil photography/myfocuz.com.

Climbing is unadulterated hard labor. The only real pleasure is the satisfaction of going where no man has been before and where few can follow.
A shot from South India

prawn collection

2010-08-19T06:24:00.001-07:00

prawn collection, originally uploaded by Samir D.

i forget her name... she belongs to a fishing family.. her son collects small fishes from nearby seashore and finally she acquires the juvenile tiger-prawns from those fishes...

music in train

2010-08-19T06:22:00.001-07:00

music in train, originally uploaded by Samir D.

he is "Paresh Das", a folk-singer, sing in trains and earn his daily livelihood..

Bolpur, West Bengal

Three Men

2010-08-19T06:19:00.001-07:00

Three Men, originally uploaded by SatyarthMishra.

In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you. The people and circumstances around you do not make you what you are, they reveal who you are.

(Three best friends, they sit at the same spot everyday and stare, all around, all they do is just stare. Malad Western Express Highway, near Pathanwadi. 17th August, 2010.)

Children Participating in Independence Day Celebration

2010-08-19T06:18:00.001-07:00

Children Participating in Independence Day Celebration, originally uploaded by ramesh_lalwani.

Happy Independence Day

Let's Sail

2010-08-19T06:17:00.001-07:00

Let's Sail, originally uploaded by Maulindu Chatterjee.

Fishermen preparing to dive deep into the sea with their trusted boat late afternoon. Shankarpur beach, West Bengal, India

Life is Part Joy, Part Sorrow

2010-08-19T00:18:00.001-07:00

Life is Part Joy, Part Sorrow, originally uploaded by Midhun Menon.

An indian family definitely below poverty line. They are content with their own lives. The children are not going to any school, and the world is their playground. They have only logs and leaves as toys.

It is sometimes hard to imagine that such life also exists in the very same world where we are staying.

Walking their way to freedom and success..

2010-07-23T22:04:00.001-07:00

Walking their way to freedom and success.., originally uploaded by Mad Angled.

Indian women have come a long way in claiming their rightful positions as leaders from just being the lady behind the success of Man..but parts of the country and society could still use a lot education on empowering women..
Shot during the visit to Coorg..

India, Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho

2010-07-17T23:58:00.001-07:00

India, Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho, originally uploaded by mountaintrekker2001.

A family I befriended on a stroll through the countryside near Khajuraho. The children are standing with their grandmother.

Decriminalize homosexuality!!

2010-07-17T21:12:00.001-07:00

Lighting a candle to commemorate decriminalizing of homosexuality in India, New Delhi, originally uploaded by sanjayausta.

Lighting a candle to commemorate decriminalizing of homosexuality in India, a shot from Gay celebration , New Delhi.

Chain of support for indian gays.

2010-07-17T20:58:00.001-07:00

Chain of support for indian gays, New Delhi, originally uploaded by sanjayausta.

A shot from Indian gay celebration, New Delhi

another brick in the wall, near dwarka

2010-07-17T20:46:00.001-07:00

another brick in the wall, near dwarka, originally uploaded by nevil zaveri.

Portrait of a quarry worker's family, against wall made piling stones without any cement.

Hard labour

2010-07-14T14:13:00.001-07:00

hard labour, originally uploaded by Handheld-Films.

Women farm labourers, working in the open under the intense heat of the morning sun, in a dried-up lake (usually one of the main sources of water for this rural area, in northern Rajasthan)

e waste

2010-07-14T14:02:00.001-07:00

e waste, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

With the government regulations set to target informal units for their risky and polluting ways, thousands await an uncertain future. Informal scrap dealers unit, Shastri Park, Delhi.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

2010-07-12T01:12:00.001-07:00

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad, originally uploaded by sanjayausta.

Like most forts in India this fort was built on a hill too. Its quite a walk up to the fort and once you reach on the top you get a splendid view of Hyderabad. Much of Golconda fort was destroyed by the rampaging armies of Aurengzeb.

A Village Girl

2010-07-12T01:06:00.001-07:00

A Village Girl, originally uploaded by Habeeb...second innings....

Village girls do enormous work at home and at the fields. They carry water fetch by fetch, collect fuel wood, cook, clean, wash, take care of siblings and act like little mothers.

forget about the dead they will not follow you

2010-06-26T03:03:00.001-07:00

forget about the dead they will not follow you, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

Azgari bi was helpless. I spotted her a stooped knot roaming around the jawaharlal nehru hospital in old bhopal, trying to locate the saline room. She could barely walk. A victim of the 1984 bhopal gas leak she had suffered from recurrent nausea and failing eyesight. When asked how old she is she would say seventy or eighty. her husband passed away in the years following the disaster, now her only son refuses to take care of her. Here she was 25 years after, roaming the corridors to find a paramedic who will push some saline through her veins. There were tears in her eyes: she could not garner the strength to get up to use the bathroom. The needle pushed through her veins, the hospital staff had disappeared.

Revisiting the victims of the 1984 bhopal gas disaster and the continuing travesty of justice. november 2009.

from Indo Tibeten border

2010-06-04T17:49:00.001-07:00

, originally uploaded by C.Stramba.

young boy from the beautiful village of Chitkul. Chitkul is the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border; the Indian road ends here..

HI!

2010-06-04T17:48:00.001-07:00

HI!, originally uploaded by bag_lady.

Living in a mostly corrugated tin house at the edge of the lake, this little girl came running out to wave. Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir.

Hot, Very Hot

2010-06-04T12:48:00.001-07:00

Hot, Very Hot, originally uploaded by Richard Buttrey.

This is what happens when you spot meter off someone's face in Rajasthan, India, in the summer when it's 45 degrees centigrade and you're using transparency film.

I'm choosing to call this 'high key', because actually I quite like the effect.

This chap was the absolutely gentlemanly custodian of the Samode Palace's magnificent 250 year old banqueting hall - owned by the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Yashica TLR of unknown vintage.

Nothing matters.... But the Hukka....

2010-06-04T12:46:00.001-07:00

Nothing matters.... But the Hukka...., originally uploaded by shrek25.

Life in Kashmir... Not at all easy...Constant fear of terrorism....
But still people live... Live happily... Live strongly... And most importantly... They all are good human beings... Very polite... Helpful...
I just feel that they deserve a better life... Life free from terror...
And in general.. all people should live life free from tobacco... :)
Amen!

"tasher desh"

2010-06-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

"tasher desh", originally uploaded by Samir D.

Tasher Desh is one of Rabindranath Tagore's most famous dance operas, a unique genre he developed that was influenced by Western opera.

A Prince, tired of suffocating in his palace, goes in search of adventure. Accompanied by a far more conventional travelling companion, a Merchant, the mismatched pair get shipwrecked in the Land of Cards . Here the inhabitants are playing cards, well regulated and devoid of emotions. With the wild force of his personality, the Prince starts to effect change in the Cards and gradually their human qualities begin to emerge…

this photo was clicked in "Hindol 2010", Saltlake, Kolkata

Gentlemen, lay your cards on the table

2010-06-04T12:41:00.001-07:00

Gentlemen, lay your cards on the table, originally uploaded by oochappan.

Besides that most games are a typical man thing,
the way of playing cards reflects a socio-cultural environment :
Men meeting on the village square,
knowing each other very well, challiging each other's luck in cards ...
upto
the pokergames nowadays,
men trying to cheat each other by bluffing,
hiding their personality from each other in a mysterious aloofness.

Item numbers

2010-06-02T06:46:00.001-07:00

item numbers, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

Men dressed as women dance to raunchy bollywood numbers at a weekly market in Bichiya, Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh. For a half an hour show one pays no more than five rupees- while the show is on the gatekeeper lifts the curtain at times for the passerby's to a peek-a-boo. The interesting bit is that women come to watch such shows along with children, though they sit separately from men. While in northern India such shows would be exclusively for men, women are more privileged in these areas populated by the gondh and baiga tribes.

At the pump

2010-06-02T06:33:00.001-07:00

At the pump, originally uploaded by goddessofxanadu( busy, please excuse!! ).

Many homes in India do not have running water - something we take for granted in the west - it is considered a luxury in some parts of India. This is in Udaipur. I like the orange against the grey stone - and her nosering.

hand fans

2010-04-18T09:08:00.001-07:00

hand fans, originally uploaded by Samir D.

these "hand fans" are made of Palmyra leaf and are very popular during power-cut situations. this old man has come from "diamond harbour" in "charak mela" to sell these fans....

but summer is here

2010-04-18T09:01:00.001-07:00

but summer is here, originally uploaded by Sayantan Bera.

govindpuri slum colony, south delhi

navjivan (or new life) camp in govindpuri, south delhi. 500 families without any regular supply of water or sanitation facilities. the delhi jal board sends one or two water tankers of 15,000 litres each every day. on sundays and national holidays the water tanker doesn't come. residents use the water for drinking, bathing, washing clothes and utensils. life in this small colony revolves around water, or the paucity of it: in the 10 by 12 feet rooms that an average family stays, buckets occupy a quarter of the space; morning onwards people prepare themselves for the tanker which empties in no more than 6 minutes... kids barely 7 or 8 years old move around draped in colorful containers and winding pipes ready for the water express; water spilling out of the tanker makes for a quick bath with clothes on, peace descends once the tanker leaves all and sundry soaked ... a near surreal experience.

the photo was taken in september 2009. on my recent visit i found that things haven't changed since then.

Contemplation

2010-04-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

Contemplation, originally uploaded by Sacred Pixels.

This was shot in a random little shop on the corner of a very small village in the South of India. He mainly sells tobacco leaves and candy. I took this shot because I was really amazed at how the light was falling in him.