Symphysis
Kinnari Thakker's Personal BlogArchive for travel
Non-cities and other things
For city people it is so difficult to imagine a life outside of it. Ok no, let me rephrase that – Although people may imagine their lives outside of a city, they can only do so for a couple of weeks of holidaying, after which your hand reaches out for the phone and you call all the people you did not and get a quick update on other peoples city lives, or lots of random surfing on the internet which takes you far away from your surroundings… its so difficult to imagine a life devoid of cities!
A recent stay at a beautiful house in the Hills, South of where I am currently, brought all these thoughts into my mind. Coonoor is a biggish town nestled in the Nilgiri Hills – actually, I can’t say much about Coonoor because I was very fortunate to stay a little outside of it, where the hills are greener and the people live in large spacious houses, many of them antic homes from the times of the British. Coonoor I hear, is very crowded and polluted now. But just a little outside of it, are lush slopes of tea estates and occasional wooded areas where the Bison roam free and the smell of fresh air is almost intoxicating.
The beautiful house we stayed at belonging to Rakesh and Madhu Sharma (parents of a very dear friend, Krittika Sharma) was atop a hill, overlooking one of the lush valleys and town areas of Coonoor. Below are some of the sights from around me.
The view from the balcony at day time
The view from the balcony at night
This is an old house halfway up the hill which dates back to the times of the British, the interior walls still adorned with animal skin is slightly unnerving at first, but the layout and the design is so beautifully “anglo”,with dust ruffles, and fireplaces, and anterooms… makes you feel very warm inside.
Its so beautiful to settle anywhere to talk or to just sit and look around you. This is a little path we found leading into the tea estates, which was perfect for some conversation and photography.
Quick shot taken from inside of the Qualis we were in, of the box like houses on the slope of a hill filled with clouds.
(for more pictures of the people I went with – http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=197024&id=501271026)
Daily Adventures
Its one kind of an adventure, venturing out into the market (farmers market) to buy your fresh vegetables. Of course, the bhaajiwalas (who occupy an entire street) a couple of minutes from my house, are NOT farmers themselves, but are middlemen with access to sufficient transport, with which they bring in produce from the surroundings.
Its Monsoon time here in Mumbai and the streets are full of water and mud and other unimaginable things, so its very important to wear closed shoes and skirts – sarees and pants are often full of kicked up mud and road-dirt.
Reminded me of the time we visited the farmers market in Torino – its an adventure not only to buy your daily supply of vegetables, but an adventure to understand cultures, people, society, fashion – there is just so much you can do. Grrrreat place for photography lovers, because there’s always something happening!
Morning walk down the narrow lanes of old Kolkata
The following pictures are taken on a walk down the streets of old Kolkata – we were very privileged to be shown this (courtesy: Satyajit sir – thank you!)
It reminded me of old movies, european aesthetics, and times of simplicity when the local and the immediate were so important.
carved doors, shuttered windows, cobble stones, rooftops which look out far onto other rooftops – reminding one of Cambodian temple ruins – can this really be a place in one of the biggest cities of India?
Parrots and Kites in Ahmedabad
The beautiful city of Ahmedabad, located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, is so alive during Sankranti! Inspite of the hot sun, families are out on the terraces of their buildings with fruit and cold drinks and lots and lots of kites. While they all take their turns in flying the kites; mostly women chit chat and make sure everyone is well fed and hydrated. A jumble of Popular Bollywood music is heard blaring off large speakers perched on rooftops along with shouts of joy when one manages to cut the thread of another ones kite. Everyone takes a few days off. Its a great time to be there!
