The Use of A Chandarvo Textile
I’ve collected Gujarat Textiles for decades. And have come across many ‘canopy’ textiles for sale – that are used as a cover over the goddess deity during ceremonies. Further my … Continue reading
Navratri Garba Dances
A little culture from my own life! Navratri is a festival of 9 nights in honor of Durga or Amba that is celebrated with dances in Gujarat. Gujjus love this … Continue reading
Museum Walk – What is this Garment?
On a recent walk in a very small museum, I came across this: I don’t know how to view stone art. But this one appealed to me aesthetically. More importantly, … Continue reading
The Meeta Project – The Story
In 2021, inspired by Michael Asher & Wilfred Thesiger’s writings, I made a plan to spend time with camel herders, for a few days. This could only be realised through … Continue reading
Festival Time – Mumbai Style
This week it’s Janmashtami that the city celebrates – the birth of Lord Krishna. Baby Krishna loved home-made butter and he’d help himself to all the butter pots in the … Continue reading
The Thanjavur Maratha Palace
Every now and then, I come across interesting people I yearn to meet. No – not Brad Pitt or George Clooney. But people like Dostoevsky. And Lee Kuan Yew. Chanakya. … Continue reading
The Saraswati Mahal Library at Tanjore
As a collector, I take pride in the things I collect. Through my sources – ebay & shops all over the world, I am proud to note that I have … Continue reading
Wall Paintings & Murals – Tanjore
The number of visuals vying for the attention of my eyes is mind-boggling. What should I see – what should I stop and stare at, what should I stop and … Continue reading
Heritage Homes of Tanjore
Life is lived every minute of every day. And so, long ago, we decided to surround ourselves with beautiful things. In the choice between return on investment in financial terms … Continue reading
Ganga Snaan & Cleansing the Soul
In my opinion, the philosophy held within religions offer very useful supports to manage one’s own mind. Mind control of one’s own mind. And when one is on a downward … Continue reading
Pollution in the Ganga
They say the Ganga is polluted. Yes. After days of sitting on her banks with my feet in the water I can confirm that. Here are pictures of the pollution: … Continue reading
Ganga Arti, Haridwar
The city wakes up to attend this pre-dawn arti, in which the Ganga is worshipped with lamps and flowers. The devout take a bath in the chilled waters of the … Continue reading
Chance Encounters / Haridwar
Just walking around absorbing the culture of Haridwar and I get to witness some important ceremony by Radha worshippers: p.s. the music is original – a little live band led … Continue reading
Heritage – Genealogical Records in Haridwar
I’d heard about the family-historians or Pandits in Haridwar many years ago. Their sole work in life is to maintain records of families and they have been doing this as … Continue reading
Ganga Relationships – The Coconut Man gives back
The devoted offer coconuts, fruits & flowers to the Ganga. This man, in doing service to himself & his family, works all day in the sun using his skill to … Continue reading
The Flow of Ganga – A lesson learnt
When one thinks of the Ganga, one thinks of serenity and calmness and peace. But the form that the river takes in Haridwar is anything but that. She is more … Continue reading
Life by the Ganga – Street Scenes
“Those who believe there are only 7 wonders in the world need to explore more ….” And I see too many daily-life scenes in Haridwar by the river Ganga that … Continue reading
Map of Srinagar in Embroidery!!
Should I bid on it? I WOULD if I COULD but I CAN’T so I WON’T My bank balance won’t allow it 🙂 So for those who can – this … Continue reading
Rajasthan Village Diaries – 2021
I used to think that there is not enough time in one’s life to visit any place a second time. But there is. Some places are just not made for … Continue reading
Quality Time with Came Herders
Just a whole lot of beautiful moments with beautiful people
A Day in the Life of a Camel Herder
The diet of camel herders is heavily dependent on camel milk. Several times during the day, boiled camel milk was consumed. And at least 3 times I was offered tea … Continue reading
