One of those things in life that I love to do – Photography and Travel. I think it keeps me grounded, capturing glimpses of the world around, experiencing different cultures and meet interesting people. And of course, all that good food which comes with the package.
It is a journey of insatiable bliss, and I might not be able to describe the true essence of this feeling in words.
Perhaps, the best way is to let my photographs do the talking. In a way, it defines my passion and curiosity.
Sometimes, you just have to go through the motions to stay afloat. Stay hopeful despite odds, despite not feeling very well, with all the noise inside, you just have to remain quiet for a while.
The last couple of weeks were tough but I was surrounded by positivity and good vibes, people who genuinely cared for me and prayed for my well being. People who wanted me back as my usual self, the usual me with all the flawed elements that makes the few wonderful people around me pray for my good health and smiles.
Thank you is a small word but thank you is the only way to redeem myself of the burden imposed by those magical, impeccable individuals who surround my life with hope and dreams.
Sometimes, such a perfect shot explains sanity over insanity. The essence of it is quite subjective, so I would rather leave it to you to derive a meaning out of it.
I am sure, whatever comes out of it will define your perspective.
The landscape of airports in the country has transformed spectacularly in the last 10 years or so. Chennai Airport is no exception to this transition period.
Airports are not merely to board and land these days, they have become much more than just a place from flights take off from one destination to another. Airports have become a hub to connect, lounge your way to luxury and spend quality time before boarding an aircraft.
Meetings while travelling, need to speak to someone special while you are in transit, missed your breakfast or lunch – no problem at all! Airports have conveniently become our reliable in-transit partners, providing your needs at ultra available mode, Yes, all this comes for a price but then that’s how life works. But, in my experience, these are some brownie points to consider when you are travelling with your family and loved ones. After all, doesn’t matter if it’s work or pleasure, comfort and convenience is something that you look forward to.
For travellers flying high and far, it is truly ‘Bon Voyage’!
Liverpool was my first brush with UK, way back in 2014. And in a lot of ways, remains very close to my heart.
We got down at Manchester Airport and then took a train to Liverpool Lime Street station. Organically positioned between the City Centre and Merseyside, it exudes charm and a certain amount of sanity. Especially for someone stepping on to British soil for the first time, it was gorgeously encouraging.
A year long stay was laced with business at work and some cherished moments to nearby places (in and around Liverpool). Anfield (Home to Liverpool Football Club) were our neighbours and we could hear the roar from our bedroom balcony when a goal was scored. Everton Football Club was 10 minutes away.
We got acclimatised to ‘British Breakfast’ pretty quickly as we realised it was the safe haven for vegetarians (the only option for a full meal 😃). It never disappointed us though, easily available across the vicinity, whether it was Liverpool, Chester or New Brighton.
After spending so many years in the UK, Liverpool still stands out for a sublime experience. Perhaps, another visit is due again, someday.
Visiting Kashmir in July last year was a unique experience. We have visited many hill stations in the last 20 years, but this was different. Kashmir is a bundle of beauty, magnificence and anxiety. A place where you can feel love and hatred in the same frame, a place where fear and bliss live together, a place where guns and serenity flourish amidst darkness and glory.
I never wanted to leave Kashmir, but at the same time, I quickly wanted to get rid of this place and leave at the earliest after 6 days of mixed emotions.
Our visit to the holy place was nothing short of a dream that finally came true. In the bucket list for eternity, this is now truly ‘Done’.
Truly, a divine experience! Merely just setting our foot in the largest Gurudwara was indeed a cherished moment, something which cannot be described in simple words. After a long queue and witnessing the aura that surrounds this place, we placed our prayers in the ‘Akaal Takht’ before proceeding to the ‘Langar Seva’.
And that is where, everything fell apart. One of the most disappointing aspects of this otherwise totally, serene and magical place was unfortunately, this. And to mention, this is not my first visit to a Gurudwara and its ‘Langar Seva’. Over the years, I have visited Gurudwaras in Calcutta, London, Peterborough and more recently, in Edinburgh and Glasgow. We were blown away by their hospitality, their attitude of service mindedness and the sweetness of their food, people and culture. So obviously, our expectations were sky high.
Thud and Begging! That was precisely how I felt when we sat for Langar. Throwing the plates with disdain, rice hardly cooked, the dal was, not sure what it was, and supposedly ‘kheer’ was just hot water with pinches of sugar. Forget divine, beggars might get better food anywhere these days. I was shocked beyond words. Not that we went all the way to ‘The Golden Temple’ for the food but over the years, our expectations were built on what we have heard from other, dependable sources (who visited the temple earlier). But this was not what I had signed up for.
So whatever we heard was obviously in the past, done and dusted. Commercialisation at its worst, at the expense of rich culture and legacy. Money and arrogance have taken over compassion and kindness. Indeed, fall from glory!
Nevertheless, I do have fond takeaways from Amritsar and Punjab, in general. But, this feeling of anguish and disappointment will linger for a long time to come. And in a way, took the sheen off an otherwise wonderful, week long hip-hop where we managed to capture some iconic landmarks of our country.
On his birthday in 2021, it was raining snow in Peterborough. It felt divine, we felt the gods were blessing him with all they had, and we were buried under supreme whiteness of sheer joy and a sense of goodness that was to follow.
Such days of bliss are rare, and remain unforgettable.
I particularly like the view – shot from St James Quarters while returning from office, this was an unexpected encounter with the landscape of Edinburgh City Centre. Busy, bustling with usual evening chores, people thriving through traffic though pleasing enough to walk through the local stores and watch the sun settling down nicely enough to enjoy the evening stroll back home.
One of the most visited castles in the Western Highlands of Scotland, Eilean Donnan Castle invokes stunning beauty and nostalgia for the James Bond aficionados. Surrounded by 3 lochs – Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, the castle is a paradise for photographers like me. I could spend all day here and would be still gasping for more of those ethereal shots from every corner of the island. Your eyes and lenses with both remain famished forever.
Not just the aura, but for the intense emotions that this place exudes along with the stigma of sadness and incomprehensible loss that we have witnessed over the years remains unparalleled, this stage will let you scream from the inside for the lives we have lost.
For the first time in my life, I saw a Pakistani flag flying high near our most revered Indian Tricolours. Technically, I witnessed the Pakistani soil from close quarters, and for many reasons, known and unknown, I despised their presence. Mind you, I have never considered myself to be a patriot but this was something else. Spontaneous, straight from the heart.
Two nations – so near, yet so far. Truly, miles away, in every sense of human indulgence.
Ashok Chakra (in front of JCP Attari Stadium)JCP Attari StadiumJCP Attari StadiumAttari-Wagah Border
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