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This is a perspective of the Tsokar lake, dry and brown with just a few patches of salty water

Patches of salty crust fleck the little mounds in the background.

The changathangi goats were grazing while the sun shone fiercely over the even more distant peaks, the meltdown of which would fill the lake bed.

This is a perspective of the Tsokar lake, dry and brown with just a few patches of salty water

Patches of salty crust fleck the little mounds in the background.

The changathangi goats were grazing while the sun shone fiercely over the even more distant peaks, the meltdown of which would fill the lake bed.


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At the Bull Races in Kerala, ever so often, the bulls would do their own thing. The jockeys and the bull racers with their leashes and their sticks would be quite unable to control their racing bulls.

Here another pair of bulls has just taken off from the starting line

The excitement or the agonised expectation and apprehension is writ large on the faces of the runners and jockeys naked from the waist up is there to see

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Belur is a sleepy little township in the heart of Karnataka. It is perhaps the biggest receptacle of the finest temple sculpture that you can feast your eyes on. The leit motif of the art is the 42 or so bracket figurines called Apsaras or Madanikas that are on the exterior of the temple. Carved out of soapstone that is great to use your chisel and file on, the figurines have perhaps the most intricate carvings on them with exemplary details and story telling that the sculptors manage to convey to the world. The Apsaras depict the fine art of ancient Indian yogic traditions and the nine sentiments or 9 rasas.

Belur is about 220 kms away from Bangalore and the presiding deity or Godhood is that of Vishnu, a part of the triumvirate of Hinduism and is the one who creates, protects, and transforms the universe.

The temple was built in the 12th century AD by the Hoysala rulers to commemorate their victory over the Chola dynasty. The figurines are about 2.5 feet each and are finely carved and situated at an angle just below the eaves.

The most famous Apsara purely on sculpting merit is the Darpana Sundari ( The Mirror Beauty ) appearing in the comments herein. The lenses tend to distort and foreshorten the figure but then there is no way to shoot it “front on” to showcase the proportions and the dynamic nature of the sculpture.
In Hindu temple carvings “shringar” or getting the makeup on or getting ready is the first of the nine navarasas and is a forbearer of love and erotic ponderings. The figurines generally remain in dance mudras with sinuous legs or hip thrusts and more than ample display of breasts.
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The tri junction of knees hips/waist and neck form the most of the theory of dancing for all the sculpture of the apsaras on display at the temple.

it would appear that the sculpture has gone through some depradations and the right hand stands truncated while the left hand is intact with the parrot sitting on the back of the palm.


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Nestled on the water's edge, the Shetihally Church stands as a haunting reminder of a forgotten era. This desolate and abandoned structure holds a mysterious allure, captivating the imaginations of those who stumble upon its weathered facade.

Shettihalli Church is located in Hassan, in Karnataka. It was a grand piece of Gothic Architecture built by French Missionaries around 1860 and was subsumed in 1960 by the backwaters of a dammed Hemavathy river.

This was shot in March and the low water level reveals a major part of the edifice. During the monsoon season only the spires and the Cross on the Church and some top portion of the walls is visible.


The Shetihally Church, with its crumbling walls and faded murals, tells a story of a bygone time. Once a place of worship and community, it now stands as a solitary figure against the backdrop of nature's relentless embrace.

The isolation and desolation that surround this church only add to its intrigue. It serves as a testament to the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of human existence. As one gazes upon its dilapidated form, it is impossible not to wonder about the lives that once filled its pews and echoed through its halls.

Yet amidst this abandonment lies an undeniable beauty. The Shetihally Church possesses an ethereal quality that draws in photographers, artists, and wanderers alike. Its decaying charm captures their attention and inspires them to capture its essence through their lenses or creative endeavors.

While time may have taken its toll on this forgotten place of worship, it continues to hold significance in our collective consciousness. The Shtihally Church serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life, urging us to reflect on our own mortality and appreciate the fleeting moments we have.

Though desolate and abandoned, the Shetihally Church remains an enigmatic symbol that stirs emotions within those who encounter it. Its presence on water adds an extra layer of mystique that further fuels our curiosity about its history and purpose.


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Ahoy there! Let's set sail on a journey to the Pristine Islands of Kerala, where boating takes on a whole new level of creativity. Forget about those fancy motorboats and high-tech gadgets, because we're going old-school with the classic pole push method.

Pristine Island is about 20 kms by road from Cochin, the capital of Kerala. From the road head you need to engage a boatman to take you across the limpid blue backwaters, a little flustered with water hyacinth.

Picture this: you're gliding through crystal-clear waters, surrounded by a breathtaking skyline and huts perched on stilts. And who's powering your boat? None other than a skilled rower, flexing their muscles as they push the boat forward with nothing but a sturdy pole.

It's like stepping into a time machine and experiencing boating the way our ancestors did. No noisy engines or complicated controls - just you, nature, and the rhythmic sound of water splashing against your boat.

And let's not forget the view! From your unique vantage point in that humble little boat, you'll have an uninterrupted panorama of Kerala's stunning landscapes. It's like having front-row seats to nature's greatest show.

So next time you find yourself yearning for an adventure that combines simplicity and beauty, hop aboard one of these pole-pushed boats in Kerala. It's an experience that will leave you feeling connected to both tradition and nature - all while giving your rower some well-deserved props for their impressive strength!

Now, who needs fancy yachts when you can have an unforgettable boating experience with just a humble pole push?

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In the hot and arid plains and hillocks of the Aravali lie several forts and palaces of the erstwhile Rajput rulers of Rajasthan.
They have been in much disuse with the sad demise of the Rajput nobility given to a way of life of profligate consumption and a limbo mind set of tradition and respect that did not change with times. First the Mughals and then the British took over everything that the Rajahs and the warlords had with them.

This is Tijara, a fort about 90 kms from Delhi which was in ruins but has been now converted in to a hotel property. This is one of the palaces where guests stay and photo shoots happen.


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Some people work to build and look after homes of people.
Precarious existence.

Changpas are the nomads who move with their goats and sheep and the yaks ( in high altitude areas ) from one pastureland to another in the desolate desert valleys of Ladakh. The valleys are at roughly around 14000-16000 feet and it is windy, intensely cold and unforgiving weather with scarce water and even more scarce grass for the animals of the Changpas.

The pastureland is almost a rough brown as the harsh sun, the cold wind and the slushy snow play havoc with the chlorophyll of the grass. So one may be forgiven to think that there is no pasture. The sheep eat it. The yaks too and all other herbivores that inhabit the high altitude plateau of Tibet.

This is the bed of the Tsokar lake which had very little water this year as there was not much snow in the winter of 2013 and not enough sunshine in the summer of 2014 to melt the snow and ice on the mountain tops.

The sheep seem to be heading to the mountain peaks high up in the background that straddles the Tsokar lake.

What about you ? Don't you want to ?


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Belur is a sleepy little township in the heart of Karnataka. It is perhaps the biggest receptacle of the finest temple sculpture that you can feast your eyes on. The leit motif of the art is the 42 or so bracket figurines called Apsaras or Madanikas that are on the exterior of the temple. Carved out of soapstone that is great to use your chisel and file on, the figurines have perhaps the most intricate carvings on them with exemplary details and story telling that the sculptors manage to convey to the world. The Apsaras depict the fine art of ancient Indian yogic traditions and the nine sentiments or 9 rasas.

Belur is about 220 kms away from Bangalore and the presiding deity or Godhood is that of Vishnu, a part of the triumvirate of Hinduism and is the one who creates, protects, and transforms the universe.

The temple was built in the 12th century AD by the Hoysala rulers to commemorate their victory over the Chola dynasty. The figurines are about 2.5 feet each and are finely carved and situated at an angle just below the eaves.

The most famous Apsara purely on sculpting merit is the Darpana Sundari ( The Mirror Beauty ) photographed here from way below. The lenses tend to distort and foreshorten the figure but then there is no way to shoot it “front on” to showcase the proportions and the dynamic nature of the sculpture.
IN Hindu temple carvings “shringar” or getting the makeup on or getting ready is the first of the nine navasaras and is a forbearer of love and erotic ponderings. The figurines generally remain in dance mudras with sinuous legs or hip thrusts and more than ample display of breasts.

In the present photograph the breast catches the light and amplifies the proportions from the angle that it has been shot from. The lady holds a mirror in her left hand and there are cohorts further down on either side helping her to pass on bric a brac or ornaments to her. The jewelry covers her feminine form .

it would appear that the sculpture has gone through some depradations and the knee joints show and the pillar which should be standing on its own has masonry work alongside to bolster the old artifact.


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As you descend into the the Changathang from the Thanglangla pass, you barely meet anyone on the road. At the foot of the mountain pass lies the valley broad, dry and dusty and again not a soul to be seen.
While trying to locate a suitable nomad encampment called a "Reebo" in Ladakhi language, one could see a trail of goats and sheep walking the dry and dusty valley in the far distance. After trailing this herd for some time, we managed to find the nomad up ahead looking sinister and imposing even in that wide wide expanse. He wanted only a cigarette.
He holds in his left hand the skin of a changathangi goat the hair from which goes into making cashmere/pashmina.

The only thing that is unpredictable in a scenario like this is the nomad dog. The dogs still had the winter coat and looked huge and calm and not aggressive. At least not the one that was next to the nomad.

As we drove off after the brief exchange of cigarettes, photographs and a demo of how the blade works, one of the dogs guarding the other flank of the herd charged the vehicle at full throttle. Mercifully passengers were inside the moving vehicle. It was an awesome sight to see the canine at full tilt and I was wondering if he will hurt himself if he smashes into the bodywork of the Indian SUV. He did not. He snarled a mean good bye.

Amen!


_DSC7124 NEF 2023 color sh

As you descend into the the Changathang from the Thanglangla pass, you barely meet anyone on the road. At the foot of the mountain pass lies the valley broad, dry and dusty and again not a soul to be seen.
While trying to locate a suitable nomad encampment called a "Reebo" in Ladakhi language, one could see a trail of goats and sheep walking the dry and dusty valley in the far distance. After trailing this herd for some time, we managed to find the nomad up ahead looking sinister and imposing even in that wide wide expanse. He wanted only a cigarette.
He holds in his left hand the skin of a changathangi goat the hair from which goes into making cashmere/pashmina.

The only thing that is unpredictable in a scenario like this is the nomad dog. The dogs still had the winter coat and looked huge and calm and not aggressive. At least not the one that was next to the nomad.

As we drove off after the brief exchange of cigarettes, photographs and a demo of how the blade works, one of the dogs guarding the other flank of the herd charged the vehicle at full throttle. Mercifully passengers were inside the moving vehicle. It was an awesome sight to see the canine at full tilt and I was wondering if he will hurt himself if he smashes into the bodywork of the Indian SUV. He did not. He snarled a mean good bye.

Amen!


_DSC7124 NEF 2023 color

As you descend into the the Changathang from the Thanglangla pass, you barely meet anyone on the road. At the foot of the mountain pass lies the valley broad, dry and dusty and again not a soul to be seen.
While trying to locate a suitable nomad encampment called a "Reebo" in Ladakhi language, one could see a trail of goats and sheep walking the dry and dusty valley in the far distance. After trailing this herd for some time, we managed to find the nomad up ahead looking sinister and imposing even in that wide wide expanse. He wanted only a cigarette.
He holds in his left hand the skin of a changathangi goat the hair from which goes into making cashmere/pashmina.

The only thing that is unpredictable in a scenario like this is the nomad dog. The dogs still had the winter coat and looked huge and calm and not aggressive. At least not the one that was next to the nomad.

As we drove off after the brief exchange of cigarettes, photographs and a demo of how the blade works, one of the dogs guarding the other flank of the herd charged the vehicle at full throttle. Mercifully passengers were inside the moving vehicle. It was an awesome sight to see the canine at full tilt and I was wondering if he will hurt himself if he smashes into the bodywork of the Indian SUV. He did not. He snarled a mean good bye.

Amen!


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Peace is an ephemeral concept. The race of the Races always leads to a fractal state of war and disharmony. You can see that happening in Ukraine as the Russians try to wipe off the Ukrainians who upped their noses at the Russians.

This is the Thiksay Monastery on a clear day in May where Peace prevails.

Ladakh is a fascinating land where not only the terrain and topography changes suddenly to a cold barren and rarefied desert but also the people, their lifestyle, the religious beliefs and the attitude are so starkly different. You do not realize this great truth immediately but it takes time to sink in. It must be the lack of oxygen that does it. The brain works sluggishly to arrive at great insights.

The Thiksey Monastery is visible to most tourists traversing from Leh to the high mountain pass of Chang La and it houses the statue of the Maitreyi Buddha inside.


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ภาพจาก แอมเนสตี้ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล ประเทศไทย

ภาพจาก แอมเนสตี้ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล ประเทศไทย

ภาพจาก แอมเนสตี้ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล ประเทศไทย

ภาพจาก แอมเนสตี้ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล ประเทศไทย

This is a perspective of the Tsokar lake, dry and brown with just a few patches of salty water shimmering blue.

Patches of salty crust fleck the little mounds in the foreground.

In the far distance the changathangi goats were grazing while the sun shone fiercely over the even more distant peaks, the meltdown of which would fill the lake bed.


_DSC7130 nef 2023