Ganjifa Playing Cards – Art of Sawantwadi
I remember spending all my summers playing various games all day long! We were about 12-15 boys and girls of various ages living in a neighbourhood of 5 buildings and … Continue reading
The Sawantwadi Palace
A walk around the charming old Palace building of Sawantwadi, in South Maharashtra just a few km from Goa. The overall building layout and the minor accents are native to … Continue reading
A Culture Celebrates Identity! Happy New Year!
I have grown up in Mumbai …. in a neighborhood that was made of up mainly Maharashtrian and Gujarati residents (us). I learnt both language even before I knew what … Continue reading
A Seat for the Gods
Furniture is so hard to photograph!! And this piece was not even meant to be furniture! It was the seat on a bullock cart. Not an ordinary seat for you … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – Warli Paintings on Dung
The original idea was to use the cow dung walls of homes as the medium to paint on using white pigment made of rice & gum. Then at some point … Continue reading
Who Knew! Forts of Maharashtra
Who knew that Maharashtra had over 75 forts!! Seventy Five!!! And who knew that there are nearly 200 groups that organise trekking & hiking day / overnight tours to … Continue reading
Small Town Magic – In Mega Mumbai
A few charming scenes from Mumbai that are also charming and contain the warmth of small town life. The difference between awe and disgust is simply our own attitude. jm … Continue reading
The Ladies Compartment in Mumbai Local Trains
VENUE : The Ladies Compartment LOCATION : The local trains of Mumbai EVENT : 1. Shopping Gala 2. Bonding Gala COST : INR 40 / all day travel TIME : … Continue reading
Invitation to a Lambani Gypsy Tribal Wedding
A Lambani Gypsy family. A Village in Karnataka, India. May 8th 2011. An arranged marriage. This is an account of a gypsy tribal wedding in a tiny village that had … Continue reading
A journey on a state transport bus in Satara district, Maharashtra
That India is a land of diversity is an often repeated cliche. The spectrum found on any parameter – wealth, lifestyle, mentality, cultural beliefs to name a few – covers … Continue reading
Panaji to Sindhudurg Sea Fort and back
If you are considering going to Sindhudurg Sea Fort, you’d look at the map, find Sindhudurg on it and then head for it….but that would be a mistake! If you … Continue reading
Travelling Godmen – the Spiritual Healers of India
Travelling Godmen are wanderers that travel from village to village, restricting themselves to a particular geographical area (usually dictated by the language). They sell spirituality and its benefits in different … Continue reading
