Hi Folks
Stole time from our busy schedules and drove down to Hampi, the capital of the ancient Vijaynagar Empire.
Please find the attached photo documentary. Click here to download.
Would love to hear your comments.
Hampi Photo Documentary
My Last Photograph
Had been to Ramnagar with pals this weekend. Shot my last photograph there.Friends turned killers! 
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Photoshoot with Kiri
I was spending my weekend at Kencha’s place. There was no power, hence no TV and hence no internet. So i grabbed the camera, and Kiri grabbed his new outfits, and hence this photoshoot. He loved to pose, and i loved to shoot. A superb model.. he is sure to go a long way in this business! All the very best to him.
Bangalore Weekend Shootout - Gurudwara
Woke up early in the morning to get together with some of the most talented photographers from Bangalore, to shoot at a Gurdwara near Ulsoor lake. We loved the hospitality we received at the temple. We were allowed to cover the proceedings in the temple. We were also invited for a delicious breakfast (Langar).
If you have not previously visited a Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, below is a brief guidance for all first time visitors:
All visitors to a Sikh Gurdwara should be aware of the following guidelines when visiting:
- Please dress appropriately so that you can comfortably and with decency sit on the carpeted floor. It is recommended to wear loose fitting clothing which covers most of your legs.
- While entering the main Prayer Hall (Darbar Sahib or Darbar Hall), all visitors will have to remove their shoes and socks and place them in the shoe racks provided, for which a token will be issued.
- Visitors cannot enter the Gurdwara while under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs. You should not take cigarettes or tobacco or smoke while in the Gurdwara or soon before going into the Gurdwara.
- All visitors will need to cover their heads while in the Darbar Hall and Dining Hall (Langar Hall) inside the Gurdwara.
Some photographs i shot…
The shoot report can be viewed here.
The Face of a Rebel
(click on the picture to view the review)
Writing a post after a long long time…..
We were recently given Landmark Gift coupons for our participation in the recent Code Olympics event held at college.So Seema,Sudheer and I visited Landmark to buy books.
I happened to bump into a book about Ernesto “Che” Guevara called “Motorcycle Diaries”
Till that date, all that i knew about Guevara was that he was from Argentina and a popular icon on t shirts and other merchandise.Couldnt really make up my mind to buy the book so i settled on “The Letters of Swami Vivekananda”.
Came back home that night and managed to watch Motorcycle Diaries - the movie. The movie is about the remarkable journey Ernest and his pal Alberto set out to discover South America. Before he became the Marxist revolutionary icon known as “El Che,” Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was an Argentine medical student who had no interest in academics. So on January 4, 1952, the 23-year-old Guevara and Alberto Granada jumped on an old motorcycle and embarked on an eight-month journey across South America with an idea of celebrating Alberto’s 30th birthday at Venezueala.
I loved the cinematography in the picture and I would rate this as one of the movies that every photographer must watch.It is indeed thought provoking and one can see how a simple travel can change the idealogy of a person forever.Ernesto, accounts in his diary, his experiences with the people he met during his journey and their socio-economic conditions. During the course of his journey he also visits a Leprosy camp where in the lepers were made to stay on a separate island away from people and food was not served to them unless they attended the morning mass at the church.
The actor Gael García Bernal portrayed Ernesto in the movie.He also makes an argument as to the behaviour of the nuns towards the lepers.He refuses to wear the gloves and this signifies that he liked to have that human touch with the patients.These are some of the incidents that sparked random thoughts in Guevara’s mind.
His political and social awakening has very much to do with this face-to-face contact with poverty, exploitation, illness, and suffering.He went on to become one of the most charismatic leaders the world has ever seen.He realized that in order to sort things out, a revolution was needed and he joined Fiedel Castro,then a young Cuban leader.He joined the revolutionary 26th of July Movement, which was aimed to seize power in Cuba and overthrow the president.
Che, later accounted a moment in the diary.The moment when he transformed from a physician to a combatant.The was in the troop as a doctor only. When the ship in which they were travelling came under direct attack, Che threw down the bag of medical supplies and seized a bag of ammunition and a gun.
Looking at this moment of transformation, I feel that all of us certainly have had such a kind of moment when we all played and thought as young boys and the very next moment you speak or do something very matured enough which makes you a man! The metamorphosis is so instant and small that we harldy realize.
Che Guevara was listed as one of the heroes of the 21st century.More insight here.
Long live revolution….
Glimpses from UAE
(Click on the pics to view my complete portfolio on flickr)
A beach at Sharjah
Now isnt he a supermodel??
Moral of the Story: - Always pose as if its ur car!! Its all in the body language!
I simply love it! The SUN,SAND and SEPIA!!
Jump Series
I love jumping at every place i visit. Dont know why.. sounds crazy isnt it?
(click on the pictures to view my portfolio on flickr)
Jump At Burj
Jump at Ras Al Khaimah Creek
Jump at Kodachadri
Jump at Goa (one of my most favorited picture)
Jump at Hebbal Lake
Jump at Kollur
Bribed my cousin to jump over a muddy puddle at Melukote
Scenes from Dubai
Click on the pictures to view my portfolio on flickr.
The Royal Bur Al Arab Hotel
Manar Mall - Ras Al Khaimah
Manar Mall - Ras Al Khaimah
A photographer’s family
Need i say anything more??
click on the picture to view my portfolio on flickr.
Scenes from Sharjah
Click on the pictures to view them on my flickr site.
Me and my dream car - Hummer!
Karthik’s Arrival
The wait seemed endless at Sharjah Airport. Finnaly he arrived.. apparently he was held up at the immigration queue.
Good times begins!
Panorama at RAK Outskirts
Shot this panorama at the creek side outside RAK.
Best viewed large.Click on the image.
Journey to Home…
Finally the exams got over (dont ask me how i fared! thats the wrong question!!). I packed up my luggage and headed to my aunts place. Visited my granny and other relatives before going. Had to do some last minute shopping and visited Priya’s dad at the hospital.He was mentally preparing for the operation the next day.He is recovering even as i type.
Went out with Priya the enxt day for some more shopping of pudis,pickles etc for mom and dad.We left to the aiport 3 hours in advance (usual family trait) and realized tht the flight was further delayed by 3 more hours! Checked the weight of my baggage.. Overweight by 15kgs! Sent back a few stuff thru Priya.She hated the way i packed my luggage. Yes its true, My better half is more systematic and organised in life.I would rather call her my Better “Full”~!
I finally bid good bye to her and urged her to shed tears! hahhha! (family trait inhertited from dad!!).She just gave me a wider smile! 
Waited for nearly 2 hours before boarding the flight.Slept in the waiting lounge just like i sleep in the class.
The flight finally departed from Bangalore and reached Hyderabad within an hour.
Sis was waiting for me with 3 varitey of dishes prepared.She took great pains in cooking for me. Ate well and went to bed early.Not to forget.. answering a million “Did u reach home?” calls from parents.
The next morning, myself and sis went out for some veggie shopping and PullaReddy sweets.
My flight departed from Hyderbad at 8:10PM and reached Dubai at 12.Journey was tiresome.Couldnt sleep well. Spent another 2 hours at the Visa queue at Dubai and finally walked out and my parents greeted me wil stretched hands!
This is Raghuram Ashok, typing from RAK, being baby “sitted” by mom and dad.
Over and out…..
Lost in Music….
Peak time of studies….
Table Lamp continues to Burn
Books remain open..
Time is running out..
I took time out to listen to a beautiful song - Alaipayudhe. Originally composed by Sri.UthukkAdu venkata subbaiyer. Raga : Kanada Taala : Adi
This song was used in the movie Alaypaudhe too.Starring Madhavan and Shalini. A very romantic movie.. has made many girls shed tears too.I have been listening to this over and over again. Hope i can learn to sing it soon. Off Late, I have been trying to play this on my flute too.
Did a bit of research on the net…
What does the song mean ?
The composer begins to imagine himself as Lord.Krishna’s lover whose mind has been disturbed by the melodious notes from the Lord’s Flute.
She begins to complain that she has been motionless like a statue unaware of the time pass by, ever since The Lord touched the flute.
She sings out appreciation to the Lord, thanking him for the unique , heavenly feeling she is undergoing right now..
Unable to find his presence except for the melody,( for Krsna has neither a beginning or an end.The Lord is eternal) she calls out to the Lord, to come and play in front of her eyes so that she surrenders herself to his lotus feet.She questions him..”Is it right?Is it Dharma?I have been pleading for your presence….How can you leave your lover to perish? Come.. lets sing and dance like the waves of the milky ocean”
Alai-paayudheee…
I am in love again…
with music……..
