Voyager

Till recently I was working with a travel channel called 'Voyages' in Mumbai. It was a good gig while it lasted. I got to travel to a lot of Indian and Thai destinations. I was the Thailand expert! More on that later. However I didn't have a digital camera then and I was too involved in work and having fun that I didn't care about taking pictures then. A mistake I realised few months ago. I am still chasing some of my friends for some of the photos we took together from their cameras. (In case you are reading this, mail me the pictures you bastard/bitch!)

In the recent past after me leaving work and heading home I have been travelling a bit again. I kind of like it now. Otherwise the life is too monotonous. Here are some random pics I took in the last two months.

My beautiful looking graciously ageing mother. She is not very comfortable with posing for pictures. I had to coax her to stand in front of the FRI building in Dehra.

The magnificent looking Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. It is also ageing somewhat like my mother. I stayed inside the institute very close to the building so got to photograph it a couple of times.

The Monastry at Mussoorie. My sister above is amused by being at the monastry. Why shouldn't she. After all she is studying to be a lawyer! And her friend in the background too is pursuing law. Both the girls in the trip tried to unsuccessfully terrorize the rest of us and were a pain in the ass with their arguements. There really is a very thin line between terrorists and lawyers.

Bulla ki jana main kaun

Our next major halt - Dargah, Ajmer. I was asked to wrap around a 'lungi' since I was wearing shorts. Reason - Katrina Kaif entered the Dargah in her short skirt during the fiming of 'Namastey London', raised the eyebrows of many and sparked a fight amongst two groups. I knew she had strong legs! But comparing my legs to Katrina's is not fair. On her.

One great contribution by Dargah is Sufi Music.I am huge fan of it. It is probably one thing that has truly shattered boundaries of religion and nation. Here are my two favourite sufi rockstars. Rabbi with his amazing lyrics and Strings with a voice to die for. Rabbi's video 'Bulla ki Jana' has lyrics translated in english and Strings' 'Na Jane Kyon' is part of the Spiderman-2 OST.

Do check them out. They truly rock!

Road to predition

I had always wanted to drive between Mumbai and Delhi. Like everybody else's, my excuse was the same - lack of time. When I needed my car in Mumbai, it was put in a truck and sent to me by my folks. There was no time for me to go Delhi and get the car.

This time I had finished my work in Mumbai. And there was no hurry to rush back home. So my father flew down (he had not been in Mumbai for a long time and not seen how I was living here) and we drove to Gurgaon.

My friends thought that I am embarking on my toughest voyage and some even tried talking me out of it. I was even more determined now. I could do it. I could be with my old man for three days!

Our first halt was Gandhi Ashram Sabarmati. A quiet place on the banks of Sabarmati river, this place epitomises the man who knew it how to keep it simple. At least when we talk about material comforts.

What interests me most about Gandhi is that he was a late bloomer. He showed no signs of brilliance and greatness till very late in his life unlike some other prodigies who have formulated their theories by the age of 25. Gandhi got better with years fighting his character's shortcomings. It gives us a reason to look forward to. At least to me.

On the left is Gandhi's famous bad handwriting. I think it reads,'If you can read this you are most probably a doctor.' Heh.

Leaving Mumbai

What better way to bid farewell to a city that hosted me for the last two years than being at an Indian Ocean concert. Their rendition of Bandeh for Black Friday is excellent. Do check out a shorter version of it.

For those who don't know, Black Friday is based on Mumbai Blasts that rocked the city in 1993.

Two of my close friends who make the most amazing couple in real life also have worked on this film. Aparnaa and Pavan. Pavan brilliantly played Tiger Memon in the film. Watch out for him. He is going to go places. Industry seems to have discovered him.

So it is goodbye to the city whose public transportation system and commuting made a man out of me. And the people with their helping attitude restored my faith in love and humanity.

'Betaab' Valley

Named after the Sunny Deol starrer Betaab which was shot here, this beautiful valley is still untouched. Almost as it was when the film was shot. Great place for trout fishing as well.

Below, me messing with my Travelogue Host, Sunaina as she tries to cross River Lidder over an old wobbly bridge.

Also, our driver in Kashmir 'Prince'. For some weird reason, he would always look away whenever I would take his picture. At the same time he was quite fond of him being clicked. Wouldn't lose a Photo-op. He became a character of interest for me because of his laziness to get up early in the morning for shoots yet he would brag to me all day about his hard work with other guests. I would have to give him a wake-up call. Poor guy was struggling to keep up to his image. He was very chatty and would find a friend almost anywhere in the state. Also has an interesting history. Some of which is not safe to discuss here.

Hand Work

Kashmiris make some amazing handicrafts. Its a cottage industry. I was invited by a local family in downtown Srinagar. The elders of the house worked on embroidery and papier mache while the kids frolicked around. The womenfolk work on making the famous Pashmina shawls which unfortunately, they would not allow me to shoot.

Dal at Magic Hour

Shikara Ride at The Dal.

One of the most romantic experiences available. I spotted many Shikaras rocking on calm waters. The boats are designed for privacy and people let you be. Plus its a huge lake (5 sq. km) with a Venice-like city to explore.

Staircase to cloud number nine

Above is Nishat Bagh, one of the numerous well laid out gardens in Srinagar. The Mughals started this practice. This garden overlooks the beautiful Dal Lake.

A Paradise called Kashmir

I was in Kashmir Valley last month shooting a travelogue. Too much has been written already about the beautiful valley. It has also inspired a lot of poets. I too fell in love with its people, its language, and its natural splendour.

Above is Rinku pleating her hair on a sunny Sunday in Patnitop. She is accompanied in her sun-bathing by Bhedu the lamb and Chutki.

I am back

I am back in my village called 'GurGAON' (gaon litreally means village). I say it because it took me ten days, two fights, numerous phone calls and an equal number of visits to get broadband in my house.

My first culture shock after moving from Mumbai. Things happened in Mumbai on phone. They(service providers) took money and they delivered. Here they take money and then they get pregnant. They get labour pain! Without any labour.

Anyway, since I am back on Blogosphere, do check and comment on the pics that I took on my recent travels.