An engineer turned journalist's story
The Bombay Stock Exchange is no doubt a brilliant building, architecturally speaking. But that attracts me most towards this part of South Mumbai, is the charming old world buildings like the one in the picture above. The cast iron railings on each floor have a character and a charm that cannot be matched by the multi-story behemoth behind it.
Take Care,
Ciao
The architecture around South Mumbai always fascinates me and I love to get lost among these old buildings. When I am not busy getting lost, i try to interpret them in as many ways as i can. Now if only i got a chance to shoot within these beautiful monuments, i would get to learn so much. There is something inherently attractive about the history behind these old structures. Abandoned places are the only other spaces that attract me as much, specially the defunct Mills around my locality. Hope to be able to shoot them someday. Till then, South Mumbai old architecture is where i will quench my thirst.
I’m a huge fan of reflection. Have explored it on the blog in Walking Tall , You Are Not Alone, Victoria Memorial Reflections 1 and 2 and so on. This time thought of attempting self portraiture. The place, ah well, I’ll let that remain a secret for some time now.
I always keep coming back to Kolkata whenever i am confused as to what to put up on this blog. And 9 out of 10 times, i come across an image that i want to share. Seen here is the Vidyasagar Setu which was also featured on the blog entry Peek-A-Boo where i used two pillars of the Prinsep Memorial for framing.
“Earth, Wind and Rain and Fire,
Relax! That translates into ‘To Be Rather Than To Seem’ and that is the motto my alma mater studiorum ie. my school – St. Peter’s School🙂 This is the photograph of the chapel within my school. The only history i will reveal about my school is that it was founded by Cowley Fathers way back in 1874. (You can get a detailed one from the website)
I am fortunate to be living very close to my school, I pass by it atleast once a week, but rarely drop in. It is not easy. It’s like stepping into a time – machine. Afterall, I had spent 12 of my most cherished years here. Mind is still searching for those long lost friends when i step in. Many of them are probably married by now and who knows, their kids will be studying in St. Peter’s now:)
These photographs were made around four years back when i was still using Canon A400. It was for my personal collection, as i was moving to another city, thanks to my job back then. I wanted to keep some special photographs with me. I also uploaded them on Flickr and distributed the link in my school’s Orkut group (yeah back then there was no Facebook on my intellectual map:P) and forgot about it.
Today when i opened my school’s Facebook page, i was pleasantly surprised to see one of my photographs being used as the display pic of the group. I went through the photo album, and one of my seniors had uploaded photographs from the Flickr stream onto Facebook. Most of the photographs had large number of comments, some from seniors who were from batches even before i was born. And what’s more, these are the only school-related photographs found on any of my school’s groups across the web.
My happiness knew no bounds!! I mean it was just my personal collection of photographs, but i did not realise that many ex-students, who aren’t in the same city, state or have probably left the country or haven’t been to school in decades, got a chance to relive the golden days. I don’t know many of the commentators personally, but it feels wonderful to know that i touched them emotionally at some level.
I think i need to fix a photography date with my school again soon. Probably plan to cover the senior section as well this time around:)
Take Care
Ciao
PS : This is the complete Flickr stream for those interested : St. Peter’s School
“Sixty years ago, on such a shiny day, a little boy, holding the hand of his father, walked this street. And as the years passed by, father was replaced by friends and eventually by a woman.
But through the twists and turns of this straight road, everyone seemed to vanish, one by one.
Rain poured, floods rushed in, sun burst, still, the windows remain silent and kept the secrets, till it hurts.
And for the days to come, the tired old man, will walk the same old street, with mind full of unsettling thoughts about lost world, lost hope and death.”
Saurabh, 21, Mumbai.
This was the interpretation given by a cousin when he saw this photograph which was completely different from what was going through my mind while making the composition. This is my maiden attempt at just clicking the photograph and letting someone fill in the words. On the occassion of World Photography Day, would like to add this new dimension to the blog:)
Happy World Photography Day to all the shutterbugs:)
Take Care
Ciao
PS: Please do visit Saurabh’s blog here : Scattered Pieces
Gothic architecture in South Mumbai is quite abundant. David Sasson Library, one of the oldest functioning Reading room and Library in Mumbai, is one structure that i have photographed countless times. My association with the library grew due to the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, which organises its Literature talks in the garden within the library compound.
Anyways, as i said i have photographed the library many times before so whenever i come to this part of town, i am always on the look out for new ways to photograph this magnificent structure. Couple of weeks back i got a chance to test one DSLR – Canon 1000D – for official purposes. I decided to take it for a spin to the part of Mumbai which i feel is quite photogenic.
The initial idea was to capture the moving vehicles against the backdrop of the Library. So i went in search for a surface to keep the camera steady. While looking for it, i came across these two cars, which were parked in a way that it gave a clear view of the library. So the first plan was canned and thought of composing the photograph using the two cars. Result is as above.
Had a wonderful time shooting with 1000D. That week was one of the most thrilling week at work in terms of the cameras i got to use. I clicked more photographs in three days than i have in the entire year so far. Felt really good to re-connect with my passion which had taken a back seat for quite a while.
Take Care,
Ciao
Kolkata conversations make me quite nostalgic. Having spent the maximum time away from home there, the place has a special spot in my heart. This is another one of those photographs of the monument which is synonymous with Kolkata after ofcourse, Howrah Bridge:) The entire garden surrounding Victoria Memorial gives one so many different angles and styles to shoot the monument. Luckily this particular strech of flowers was quite close to the lake wherein i could catch the reflection.
Take Care
Ciao
The Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue is over 125 years old, located in the hearth of Mumbai at Fort. Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue was built in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon and his brother Albert in memory of their father Eliyahoo Sassoon.
It was a Friday, which is the Holy Sabbath day for the Jews. The security guard wouldnt let me enter the Synagogue. Its a beautiful structure in Blue and white. One of the few remaining Synagogues in Mumbai.
take care
Ciao
Shutterbugged 
