untitled

What this city has gone through needs no mention, no recap. There was a candlelight vigil organized at Carter Rd by Sejal (our friend from the Bombay Photo Club) and her friends Ajesh and Sapna. This shot was taken by Sapna, as about a hundred or more people gathered to remember what the city experienced. It is really kind of us to think of all those people who lived those moments - a few who escaped, a few who were rescued, a few who aren't anymore with us now...but when I think of it, would we really understand what they went through?

As Maithili and I were seeing the visuals on the news channels of people coming out of the Hotels after being rescued, we saw how frightened a look they owned. There was a small six month old baby who had absolutely no clue about what and why the crowd was gathering around him and his mother who came out of the Trident Hotel. But yes, just imagine...if the small baby wanted to cry in his room, what would've happened? All who are living this moment are thankful, I'm sure, but also know and realize that it could've been them!

An Indian television actor's sister was in one of the restaurants. He was told that his sister has been sent to the hospital, once the NSG operation was over, and was injured but alive. He surely sighed in relief. But, when he reached the hospital, he realized that the girl about whom he was told was not his sister...and his sister and her husband's bodies were claimed in the list of those who lost their lives.

These are just a few stories. There are hundreds more. There are hundreds of people out there who experienced the moments of terror...hundreds out there who experienced the moments of waiting for their loved ones...there are hundreds out there who experienced the realization that it could have been them!

...and all this is thanks to? A few people who claim to have a reason for this terror...a few people who claim to have a reason for their tasks...a few people who claim to have a reason for this existence of their's? I kept asking myself since the night this terror broke out...is it really so difficult to understand and realize love and peace?

For all the untitled moments that will remain with us forever...

heights

This shot was taken at Worli, where the sun looks more beautiful than ever, as it ends its day to this city! As I look at this shot, I can only remember these lines that one of my favorite Urdu Poets, Javed Akhtar, had written in his first book - Tarkash (Quiver) -

oonchi imaaraton se makaan mera ghir gaya,
kuch log mere hisse ka suraj bhi kha gaye...
(my house has been surrounded by high buildings;
I have been robbed of my share of the sun today)

Are we really in the quest to reach to high that we forget giving the light to the people who simply look at us travel till there?

For the heights and its complexities...

wait

I took this shot near he Vile Parle signal on the Western Express Highway.
The flyovers near this area on the Western Express Highway have been going through an endless makeover. The initial idea was to make a mall below this flyover, which as the rumors (if they are) say that has been called off. Next I heard that there was a huge parking area being constructed below the flyover...which after a few months again I heard fizzled out. Some work being done is surely being seen...what it is, I don't know and I'm sure many of us would be wondering about the same.

I wonder what the workers working for such construction areas must be going through. I tried capturing one such worker during his free time perhaps! He was aimlessly (as he seemed, but surely not as aimless as he looked) staring at the vehicles coming and stopping at the traffic signal next to which he was seated. I am curious, now, to think what he must be thinking...what he must be waiting for...

For the wait...

politics

This shot was taken at Dadar to capture the Sena Bhavan, that you can see here. The Sena Bhavan is the building that houses the central office of the Shiv Sena Political Party in the city.

The Shiv Sena was the brainchild of Balasaheb Thackeray. It is a Hindu nationalist, Marathi ethnocentric and populist party active mainly in this state of Mahrashtra. Recently, there were similar ideologies, although much more violent, adapted by the now-very famous Raj Thackeray.

I wonder when there would be a time, when political parties would not really be required...when people would have a constitution written and updated by themselves...when people would become more responsible and consider this space to be their's...when politics would not be considered the only way one can make a difference...

For the politics, whose meaning will change someday...

glass

I took this shot at a store, whose name I have forgotten now, which is located at Colaba!
I love to stand in front of such glass walls that are the barrier between such rich clothes and admirers!

What really amazed me here, apart from the clothes, were the number of people who used to stop by to have a glimpse at the clothes and quickly before they get thoughts, would continue walking their way. Its amazing how desires and dreams are often, unfortunately, not given much importance!

If you ask me, stand in front of such glass walls and spend enough time till you are convinced that those clothes are made for you! Stand in front of such glass walls till your dreams are convinced and knock the doors of your desires and quietly whisper saying - "...someday we will". If you ask me, stand in front of such glass walls and keep your dreams alive...keep your desires awake...as if you believe in it, someday it surely will happen...

For the glass walls (ultimately built by some human like us)...

sky

I was speechless when I saw this ceiling. Well, honestly, I don't even know if I can call it a ceiling! This is what you can see at the Oberoi Towers (now Trident) when you enter the lobby and look up!

I wonder how the architects of such places come up with such brilliant pieces of creativity! When I look at such roofs/ceilings, I really wonder...if the ceilings which are our inner skies are so beautiful, why can't we make the real sky that pretty all throughout too? Our skies are what we choose them to be...

Hats off to such architects and creativity...

For the sky...

shivaji

This is a shot that I took of Shivaji Maharaj, as he is called by all, outside the International Airport of the city which is called the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport!

Shivaji, to this state of Maharashtra, is and will always be a complete hero in all ways. His heroic deeds and events were, at his time, and even now discussed and exampled by all. Shivaji Bhosle was born in 1630 and lived till 1680 and was the founder of the Maratha Empire in Western India way back in 1664!

There is a very famous story of Shivaji's intellect and how he used it always during his wars and escapes. In 1666, Aurangzeb summond Shivaji to agra, along with his six year old son Sambhaji, on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday, after he was arrested by the Mughals. Aurangzeb's plan was to send Shivaji to Khandahar, modern day Afghanistan to consolidate the Mughal empire's north-western frontier. However in the court, Aurangzeb made Shivaji stand behind mansabdars (military commanders) of his court. Shivaji took offense to this seeming insult and stormed out of court and was promptly placed under house arrest, under the watch of Fulad Khan, Kotwal of Agra.

From his spies, Shivaji learned that Aurangzeb planned to shift him to Raja Vitthaldas's Haveli and then to possibly kill him or send him to fight in the Afghan frontier. As a result Shivaji planned his escape. The entire plan of escape is by far the best example of excellent analysis, planning and execution in Indian history. He feigned almost fatal sickness and requested to send most of his contingent back to Deccan. Thereafter, on his request, he was allowed to send daily shipments of sweets and gifts to saints, fakirs, and temples in Agra as offerings for getting well.

After several days and weeks of sending out boxes containing sweets, Shivaji hid himself in one of the boxes and managed to escape. Sambhaji, his six year old son, had been smuggled out a couple of days earlier. Shivaji and his son fled to the Deccan disguised as sadhus (holy men). Some accounts claim that after the escape, rumours of Sambhaji's death were intentionally spread by Shivaji himself in order to deceive the Mughals and to protect Sambhaji!!

Shivaji was formally crowned Chhatrapati (the chief or king of Kshatriyas). It is because of this heroic deeds of his that this state and its people totally admire him and have named many places, including the main Airports, Railway Stations and other important locations after him.

Heroes always live...they can never die...

For Shivaji...

wish

Ok, this might not be directly linked to our city...but maybe it could be too...
I LOVE Starbucks!! When I was in Europe, I used to live on Starbucks! And, post me coming back, everybody knows how much I have publicized it here...

Recently, Madhu & Meghna, my favorites, were in London as Madhu was awarded as the runner-up at the "Young Media Social Entrepreneur Awards" by the British Council. The outcome was that he and Meghna were invited to London so that they could meet up with various media houses in UK so that the two countries could work together for a better tomorrow. Knowing how much I love this coffee-house, the two of them very kindly got this lovely souvenir for me from there, which I'm surely going to treasure throughout...

India doesn't have a proper Starbucks space anywhere. There is one small little counter at Fame/Fun Cinemas at Andheri where they sell 4-5 of the items, but surely the taste isn't the same! I do wish, someday soon, this brand will come to India too!! I'm sure like me, many are waiting...

For our wishes...

PS - Thank you M&M!!:)

rules

Maithili took this shot today as she was traveling to her college! This was taken at Sion.
Imagine this board was kept on the divider for people to read it, but it is hardly visible all thanks to the condition and the plants around it!

This isn't the only board...you will find a lot of these on the Sion patch but they're all in this condition, if not worse. The only thing I feel people need today is discipline, when it comes to maintaining your city. We fail to understand that the city is our's and not just the government's! We make the city by staying there, just as we make our house a home by staying there! I really like what the Police has done near the famous junction at Haji Ali - any person who is found crossing the road instead of using the subway to go his way, is fined on the spot! This way, that junction has become so disciplined! I just wish someday we wont have this system of fines and we ourselves would realize what we should do and what we shouldn't!

For the rules...

ik onkar

We're leaving for Delhi on the 25th, next week. I had initially planned up a one-day trip to Amritsar, to visit the Golden Temple, a place I've been dying to go ever since I was a child, which increased once I saw Rang De Basanti! But, UNFORTUNATELY, I can't make a trip this time either!

As I was heading to office today, I saw this gurudwara that falls on the way, and I stopped and simply smiled! It's interesting to think why people want to go to "holy" places? When we say that the creator is everywhere, do we go to special places because we appreciate it for its uniqueness or do we simply go with the flow? I guess, as I understand it now, it is just the energy of these few places...or maybe, it just takes time to truly accept that the creator IS everywhere!

I'd like to share this prayer - Ik Onkar - which means one God, and it also forms the central tenet of Sikh religious philosophy...

ik onkar
there is only one God
sat naam
his name is truth
karta purakh
he is the creator
nirbhau
sans fear
nirvair
sans enmity
akal murat
eternal
ajuni
unborn
saibham
self effulgent
guruparsad
realized by his divine grace

japu
sloka
aad sach
true before creation
jugad sach
true through all ages
hai bhi sach
true also today
nanak hosi bhi sach
says Nanak, true he shall eternally be

soche soch na hovai je sochi lakh var
thinking does not reach belief if one thinks a million times
chipe chup na hovai je lai rahan(n) live tar
prolonged silence and meditation does not silence the mind
bhukhia(n) bhukh na utari je banna(n) puria(n) bhar
hunger (greed) cannot be satisfied even with loads of food (wealth)
sahas sianpa lakh hohi ta ik na chale nal
at the time of death, intellectual smartness also stays behind
liv sachiara hoiai kiv kurai tute pal
how can then we realize the truth and destroy fibs
hukam rajai chalna nanak likhiya nal
says Nanak, live with his divine will

For the creator...

PS - I'm SURELY going to Amritsar next year...

neighbor

I have always observed this...whenever an auto driver stops his rickshaw in front of another, he always stares at his neighbor! If he knows his neighboring driver, then they would smile and keep talking about things that you would wonder about...but if he doesn't know the driver, he would just constantly keep staring at his neighbor! I wonder if he does this comparing the two vehicles or...ok, I can't find another reason justifying my wondering...

I took this shot today at the Vile Parle signal. Please don't wonder as to what I do thinking about all of this...I just simply like observing people at the traffic signal!

For our neighbors...

art

I took this shot at Santacruz, today. I have always passed through this signal and I've also seen these handicraft goods being displayed here, although I never really thought deeply into it.

Today, as I was curious to know, I asked a local about this display - these handicrafts are made by low-income household artistes who design this and tailor this according to their creativity and vision. Majority of their goods are sold to the whole-sale dealer, who buys these and sells it off to the bigger stores and many a times also exports it to other countries! The result of this is - these handicrafts, for which the original creators/artistes get paid a really low amount, actually get sold, at a bigger store, for a price as high as at least 10-20times the cost, at which it was bought!

This Economics is common in all fields. But, what really upsets me is that we, common men, the buyers, despite walking pass this road exhibition hardly buy anything from the creators, hardly ask them about their creativity, hardly applaud or at least appreciate their passion and potential! As they rightly say - when you make noise, you tend to gather the crowd...but when you are silent, despite being honest, you need to be patient and wait for attention!

For the original artistes and their art...

dasvidaniya

I took this shot today, as the sun was setting behind my building.
As I was getting back home today, I was wondering a simple question - why are we living? Are we all happy? Whenever we are to say goodbye, would we smile and say the best goodbye ever?...all this came from a brilliant film that I saw today - Dasvidaniya. For all of you guys who love good cinema - I would totally recommend this film to you guys!

It is one of those films that simply make you smile and remind you - life is not about being long or short...life is about reminding yourself that you are here to enjoy...you are here to smile...you are here to do all the things that you want to do...life is about living! So what is stopping you?

As Alexa's brother rightly says - What am I waiting for? So, guys...LIVE your LIFE!

For Dasvidaniya...

oneness

This is pretty different from the other posts that we put up. I recently got a DVD from this brilliant initiative called Global Oneness Project.
I first got to know about them when I saw this film made by them on Seva Cafe. The internet freak that I am, I immediately googled them up and read about them in detail. The outcome - I was completely speechless.

Their concept was simple - in a world so complex, so busy, so crowded, we are ultimately one...we can live as one! Regular readers would know how much I believe in this. I immediately wrote to them asking them for a DVD of their works and within a few days, I received this copy! What I loved about these people is that they keep traveling and filming interesting people who truly believe that this space that we are living on is shared by all, and we're all equally responsible for its growth!

Oneness is not being alone...but actually completing the circle. I know, for sure, that with initiatives like these...oneness will be realized! Kudos to these guys...

For oneness...

PS - If anybody would like to screen these films in our city, please let us know as we'd love to showcase these films at your space. Trust me, it'll be a great experience...

kids

It is the 14th of November and we celebrate Children's Day in India today.
This date marks the birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was extremely fond of children. Children's Day, in India, is celebrated on this day for that very reason and also in recognition of the immense work that he has done for children.

This shot was taken at Carter Rd, where these kids assemble every day in the morning and attend their school here, on the streets! Two old ladies have taken up the task of teaching these kids not just the text books but also other creative subjects like art, craft, music etc.
Childhood is all about innocence, fun, exploration. Have you ever looked back and thought how your childhood was. Doesn't it very often get a smile on your face, once you think about all the questions that you have tried finding the answers for. Imagine the kids you see around you - they are in the same phase! Be with them! Help them explore...help them find their answers...help them create their questions...help them enjoy their childhood!

I don't think I am anybody to give ways in which we can help these kids keep smiling...we have our answers...let's just think ourselves and do it...

For all the kids, their childhood and the child in all of us...

PS - Since I'm closely associated with the works of RangDe.Org and am in complete awe of the work that they are doing, please do visit their latest initiative - Rang De Education. What better way to start giving children a lovely future...

élan

...and here you go with my all time favorite place that I feel is filled with élan- Taj!

Built by Jamshedji Tata in his own lifetime, the Taj overlooks the city's Harbor. Legend has it that J.N.Tata was taking a foreigner to a dinner in a Hotel, but was stopped at the entrance by the doorman; the reason - only Europeans were allowed in, not Indians! That rebuff was enough to make Jamshedji decide to build a grand Hotel in India. In 1903, facing Bombay Harbor, the Taj Mahal Hotel rose in solitary grandeur. Ships from Europe were to witness the grand frontage of the Taj as a signal of their entry into the Bombay Harbor. Soaked in Luxury, it was the first building in the city to use electricity. It was also the first Hotel in the country to use American fans, German elevators, English Butlers, and a whole lot of other innovative delights.

With such history, the Taj, to me, looks even more royal! I keep telling everybody that keeping all the other 5-star Hotels aside, I feel like I enter one only when I enter the Taj!

For the Taj and its élan...

the road

Yup, so the city has finally decided to put up silencer walls on the sides of the fly-overs which are near residential buildings.
I'm sure our "nightingale", Lata Mangeshkar, would be happy with it now and would stop threatening that she would be leaving the city!
The city is improving, no doubt, but I wish the citizens could improve too...

For the roads and the city...

mixture

I love to see colours. They simply get a smile on my face.
I took this shot outside my neighbor's door, today. She had made this rangoli all by herself. I wouldn't say that this is the best rangoli ever seen, but had you seen the dedication with which she was making this, you would've agreed that that was surely the best!

It is such a common question to ask which colour is one's favorite...when I look at such a mixture of colours, I really find it difficult to answer! When all the colours mix up and are presented together, the canvas does look really pretty...doesn't it?

For all the colours and their mixtures...

rajdhani

Good food and my love for it are inseparable! Although, I do envy Maithili for having eaten this and experienced the delight!

She took this shot at Rajdhani, the city's best place for Gujarati Thalis! During all the major Indian festivals, this chain of restaurants is always packed by families! People simply love the taste, quality and quantity of this restaurant! If you ask me, in a personal note, I'm not too fond of Thalis, but when someone asks me to come to Rajdhani, I somehow can never disagree. There is something about this place that attracts a Thali non-lover to it! Ok, I can't write more now...I have to rush and have this food...

For Rajdhani...

vision

When I look at such people aimlessly staring somewhere, I wonder if they are really aimless...I wonder if they really don't dream...I wonder if they really don't vision something...

And then I think back and wonder if it is really possible for anybody to not think, not dream, not visualize...

I took this shot at Andheri today as these two workers were sitting on top of a truck and staring at the traffic of the city. What they were thinking, I might not tell, but I can surely tell that every brain in that traffic from all the four sides dreams! Every single soul desires. Every person has a vision. And, I salute them all...

For the visions...

chetak

I took this shot at the Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai, which has not become the Trident.
This horse was placed on one of the side-tables at the lobby. It immediately reminded me of the famous horse from Indian History - Chetak.

Chetak was the horse of Rana Pratap, whom Pratap rode during the gruesome Battle of Haldighat. Chetak died in this battle and since then has been immortalized in the ballads of Rajasthan. Folklore has it that Chetak's coat had a blue tinge. That is why Rana Pratap is sometime referred as the "Rider of the Blue Horse" in ballads.

While mounted on Chetak, Pratap made a daring attempt on the life of Imperial Mughal Commander Man Singh. When Pratap saw that the battle's tide was turning against him, he decided to settle the issue one way or the other in a spectacular and quintessentially Rajput manner. Imperial commander Man Singh was directing the battle seated on an elephant. Pratap charged frontally at the Imperial army, hacked his way through the massed ranks of enemy combatants and reached in front of Man Singh's elephant. Once there, Chetak reared high in the air and planted his hooves on the forehead of Man Singh's elephant. Pratap threw his lance at Man Singh, who had the necessary quick reflexes to duck in time. The blow fell on the mahout (elephant driver) instead, who was killed instantly. In the general melee that followed, Chetak received a fatal wound on one of his legs. This was the turning point of the battle. Mewar's bold gamble to siege the battle in its favor had failed. As Man Singh was whisked away to safety, Pratap found himself surrounded by enemy soldiers.
This was the moment of decision for Pratap, whether to seek personal glory by embracing martyrdom on the battlefield, or to live and keep the flame of resistance burning. If he lived, Mewar stood another chance. In fact every rebel anywhere in India against the Mughal empire would have a rallying figure. But with him gone, the sun would set on Indian aspirations forever. Mewar's own fate would be sealed.

Chetak was exhausted and seriously wounded, but laboured on carrying his master. About 2 miles from the site of the battle he came across a small stream. It was here, while trying to leap across the stream that Chetak collapsed. Maharana erected a small and beautiful monument for his beloved companion at the place where Chetak fell. This cenotaph still exists near the village of Jharol in in Rajsamand District. Chetak lives on in poetic traditions as the epitome of loyalty.

With all the stories of our history,

For Chetak...

plus!

I love this concept! Now I don't need to fight with my Sister over watching the TV, nor do I have to bear the horrible soap operas that Mom watches while at dinner!

I saw this lovely TV ad starring Aamir Khan and Gul Panag, which has been being marketed brilliantly and loved by all, which launches TATA Sky Plus! I love the entire concept! I guess it has been in the US for a while now, it's finally coming here. One can simply record the programs on the TV while he/she is not at home or while watching something else on the TV.
Its amazing to see how far technology stretches itself all the time!

For the technology plus...

education

It was really nice to see these kids learning under the trees outside their houses, as I was going to office today. I like seeing this thought entering everybody that we must study. We must learn.

Imagine...if each and every individual...of this country...right from the apathetic souls sleeping amidst the daily hours to the ones who always have just one thought that 24hrs in a day is NOT enough....IMAGINE...if all of us...just be selfish...and work towards our goals...work towards our achievements...work towards our dreams...work towards our ends...IMAGINE...if we just work for us to become the most successful person for ourselves to see us and be proud...this country which comprises US...would automatically have NOTHING to stop it from become THE BIGGEST LEADER!

For education..

locals

This is a regular sight at the Dadar Station at 9:00pm, everyday. But yes, maybe, the number of people is more on other days.

It was weird to travel by train after three full years! I used to avoid the trains due to the huge number of crowds that used to pack themselves in the compartments of the locals! However, yesterday, since I did not drive it to work, I was compelled to take the trains. It isn't bad...it can't be bad as more than half the population of the city travels by it...but I surely feel they can improve the frequencies and the crowd management of the train.

The red flashes that you can see are very common in the stations here. They, as you can see, give the timings of the trains' arrivals. Earlier, they were hardly accurate and trustworthy but now, they say that they surely have improved! At least, the travelers have no issues with the trains' timings now...well, almost...

For the local trains...

keep clicking

This completely amazed me today morning. As I was driving to office, I saw this man standing in the middle of the traffic signal, clicking shots of all possible surroundings. Not that this man is anyhow related to Bombay Clicks, but I really love to see a camera in people's hands, when they want to capture moments!

What's amazes me even more is the power of the camera - be it a still or a video camera, when seen in the hands of people, it simply attracts thousand's attention! Imagine if through these clicks, we can imbibe some tips to improve the space where people are standing, it would simply be great!

For the clicks...

birthday

I'll keep it very short today -

Happy Birthday, Maithili!!:)

PS - This is no work on photoshop. Vashi actually has a very famous building named after her, seeing which she gets really excited all the time! Keep smiling...

For your birthday...

sunset

...and this one is from Meghna, my favorite lens' eye!

Meghna took this shot at Worli as the sun was settling down for a while. I like sunsets. People feel it symbolizes the end of a day. I somehow see it as a reason to look forward to the beginning, thus in a way - it helps us lead to the beginning.

I'll keep it short today. I'm sorry for not being very regular. I've been terribly tied up. But, from now on, we're back on track!!

For the sunset...

allah

...and there we go with our first black|white photograph, till date!
I simply love this shot. This was taken at one of my favorite spots in the city, which for some reason, many living in the city have still not visited - the Haji Ali Dargah.

The Dargah was built in 1431 by a wealthy Muslim merchant and saint named Haji Ali who renounced all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. It is said that Haji Ali died on his way to Mecca and his body in its casket floated back to Mumbai. However, some believe that Haji Ali drowned at the place where the Dargah stands today.

The shrine is visited by as many as 40,000 pilgrims on Thursdays and Fridays.

For me, whenever I take the first step to the Dargah, something seems to call me towards itself...something that is pure, honest, and holy. Its hard to describe a few emotions and moments...just like I find it hard to describe the Allah whom I experience...

For Allah...