Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christmas at home...

A few pictures taken this Christmas...
The crib and the tree
The nativity scene...
The wise men following the star...
The tree...
My room, with a paper doily wreath...

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Intriguing deities...

Saw these deities on display and they are intriguing... especially the elephant god perusing a book. 

 A picture of rotund bliss....
 The Buddha reclining... 
 The elephant god again with numerous hands... 
The elephant god with many heads...

Friday, November 25, 2011

Colourful Lamps

So I saw these pretty pretty cotton lamps on display and I fell for them... the variety and the colours, they could brighten up any space.
These cream ones are my favourite...
Even these colourful ones are so nice... 
I like the middle green one here, I don't know why I never bought any.
Even these noodle like lamps will look great with a soft light shining in them...

Monday, November 14, 2011

Indian Handicrafts...

Saw these at Mahabalipuram, pretty neat... right? I like the shapes and patterns of these objects... 

A closer view... as usual please click on the picture to enlarge it.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Mahabalipuram: The Lion, the Temples and the Pallavas

So this is the monolithic lion sculpture, he does look prehistoric with those curved fangs. Check out the temples in the background and the lovely dancing figures engraved into them. The Pallavas must have been a really patient race... do click on the picture for a larger view. 

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Mahabalipuram: Bas Relief

To tell you the truth, these kinda creeped me out... I don't know why but it was sorta unnerving watching this bas relief work as the sun was setting in the horizon. I don't think I would be able to cross this place at night... 

But they do look nice, considering the work that has gone into sculpting them onto the side of a huge rock. Click on the pictures to enlarge them....

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Mahabalipuram: The Goddess & her cherubs

Here is the goddess inside the temple, surrounded by her Indian looking cherubs. I have no clue what the person crouching in the corner is doing, looks like a dance pose to me.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Mahabalipuram: Temple Entrance

This is the entrance to another small temple... the deity (in the center) is enveloped in shadows. You'll see her more clearly tomorrow, she has got a fantastic shape... click on the picture for a clearer view.

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series
First Glance
Graceful Sentries
Rock Elephant
Temple Carvings



Sunday, October 9, 2011

Mahabalipuram: Temple Carvings

The place is strewn with carved temples like this... you can see one in the background too. Notice the base is solid rock, these ancient people must have really worked hard to create these monuments. Please click on the picture to enlarge it.

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series
First Glance
Graceful Sentries
Rock Elephant
Temple Entrance

Friday, October 7, 2011

Mahabalipuram: Rock Elephant

Imagine carving this out of a solid chunk of rock... Aaron Ralston would appreciate the effort that has gone into this ancient sculpture. Check out the folds on its ears, do click on the picture for a better view.

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series..
First Glance
Graceful Sentries
Temple Carvings
Temple Entrance

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Mahabalipuram: Graceful Sentries

These sculpted figures adorn one side of the temple wall, one guy even has his hand resting on an animal that kinda looks like a lion. 

There's some sort of a pattern here, the guy with the beast must be a figure of authority. Flanking him are two couples and then a solitary figure. They are so slender and graceful... they seem like a calm and beautiful race. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series...

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Mahabalipuram: First Glance

The next few posts will feature pictures from my recent trip to Mahabalipuram, which is famous for its shore temples and other massive carvings by an ancient race called the Pallavas that ruled the region in the 7th century. These ancient monuments are mostly rock cut and monolithic, depicting various gods and the people of that era. It must have taken many men working patiently together to create these awe inducing relics of an ancient civilization. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Calvin and Hobbes Birthday Cake...

I celebrated my birthday over the weekend with this amazing calvin and hobbes cake. I love Calvin, he cracks me up, his parents are pretty funny too. This is a photo cake, you send the bakery a picture and they somehow print it onto the cake using a sugar and cornstarch mixture. I loved this chocolate truffle cake, every bite was sinfully good.

Pretty neat, huh...

Monday, September 19, 2011

Milky Way...

Milky Way is another nice hangout place, the ice creams here are wonderfully light and soft. It's not luxuriously thick or creamy, so if you're on a diet this is a good place to visit.

Ordered a waffle cone with crunchy choco ice cream and raspberry ice cream, both were pretty good. They have sandwiches and other starters too.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Flower Carpets...


Onam (the festival of Kerala) was celebrated a few days back, and these designs made of flowers are a defining feature of the festival. Houses, offices and other institutions are decorated with elaborate and colourful flower designs on Onam.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Here is your Mother...

Stopped by a church on the way home and saw this grotto of our Lady and St. Bernadette. The writing above Virgin Mary is in Tamil and it reads 'Here is your Mother.' Please click on the picture for a larger view.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

A Hindu Festival...

So it's the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and at every corner you see Ganesh idols like this. This festival goes on for ten days and there is a lot of dancing and drama on the streets. He is the elephant headed god, history has it that Lord Shiva (Ganesh's father) accidentally beheaded his son and then replaced his head with that of an elephant's. As usual click on the picture for a larger view.

Monday, August 29, 2011

This is home...

Was away for a few days, had gone home to see my folks. Took this picture from the train as it was creeping into my hometown Nagercoil. Those rolling hills and the green paddy fields are characteristic in my region... I can never tire of this sight. The air is also so clean and inviting, not like the city, clogged with vehicle fumes and dust. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Taking in the warm sunny wind...

Wrap around skirts drying in the sun... yeah, I know, such an inconsequential picture, but somehow I like it.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A lot can happen over coffee...

So the previous post shows where to hangout in villages, this one shows the coolest hangout place in a city like Madras, India.
Cafe Coffee Day outlets, like this are seen all over Madras... and they are so tastefully and peacefully set up. The seating is rather cosy with quaint wicker furniture and wooden chairs. The food is pretty good too, its the same stuff you usually get at great hangout places like sinfully good chocolate cakes, brownies, a variety of coffee concoctions and sandwiches.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The ultimate way to relax in villages...

Canals like this are quite common in my hometown, they make a great hangout place... and the running water gives a healthy massage to the body. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Water is the driver of Nature. Leonardo da Vinci

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A Hindu Goddess

So this temple festival is going on near my place, this four handed goddess made of serial lights marks the road that leads to the temple. This goddess called Mariamman (Mother Mari) is the goddess of disease and rain. At her festival, the devotees walk on burning hot coals to prove their undying devotion to her.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Candle light...

I saw this candle holder at a shop and knew I had to buy it...
Those intricate patterns are pretty neat...
Enchanting, right...

Monday, July 18, 2011

The smiling bug...

I found this yellow dot running around in my room, and picked it up. It was a yellow and black stripped bug and it looked like it was smiling... really. Click on the picture to enlarge it, then you can see an insect smiling...

Friday, July 15, 2011

Memories of December...

So while going through some old pictures, I came across this beautiful one... the soft lights of the Christmas tree seen through an embroidered curtain. I remember I had just finished preparing something for Antonio to eat and as I was walking back to my bedroom, the glowing lights stopped me in my tracks and for some reason the whole beauty of it made me inexplicably happy... the whole season of Christmas has this effect on me. Anyway, I wanted to capture the moment, and this is the result.