indianpicturesphotography

CWG

2010-08-05T00:35:00.005+05:30

The Commonwealth Games around the corner and we still embroiled in a battle of politics and controversies. A showcase event that would highlight Delhi as a capital of an emerging economic power dogded by grafts that threatens to ruin this event.Stadiums not finished and political parties and news papers ready to denounce everyone. No one speaking about how we should all unite and try and make the games a sucess. Are we so selfish then that we just want to prove ourselves even at the cost of the country's pride. Do we then lack national pride.Let us for a moment forget our differences and our small petty thining and unite to make the games a sucess and showcase the on thing we have in abundance -our hospitality

HARAPPAN SITE SUFFERS FROM APATHY

2010-04-05T22:57:00.003+05:30

Touted as one of the largest burial sites of the Harappan civilisation yielding about 73 burials as also a settlement 1km away in Farmana Khas a village of the Meham region of Rohtak district in Haryana lies abandoned without any marker or protection from vandals or the elements of nature covered by plastic sheets and mud.

The excavation project being conducted by private institutions who have gone leaving it to the mercies of human greed. The villagers offering to sell the land where the site is situated for money shows how the total lack of governance and human apathy could well destroy a part of history forever.

Being one of the few sites of Harappan civilisation close to Delhi its importance in decipehering ancient Indian history cannot be discounted. Historical toursim as evident in Rome and many cities and towns in the world show how it can generate revenue and pay for future excavations and discovery.

H1N1 influenza

2009-08-10T19:05:00.002+05:30

India is facing an epidemic of sorts. A secondary explosion of H1N1 infection sweeping through the nation in people who haven’t traveled to any infected nations but may have caught it from infected travelers. Although health screening at airports are continuing but cases are increasing of infections and deaths due to H1NI.

Is it that the screening process is not good enough or is it that newer strains with different symptoms are developing threatening human life and travel? Even education is being held ransom by this spread of infection causing schools to close down.

WHO predicts 33% of all Indians will suffer from the H1N1 influenza by 2011. Fearful isn’t it but then so is living with terrorism, road rage, government apathy and high levels of corruption. Does this mean we all should lock ourselves up and stop shopping, driving, and living our daily lives? Shutting down schools and institutions is a knee jerk reaction bound to cause panic, instead the screening of passengers and other patients who complain of flu like symptoms should become more stringent and private hospitals and nursing homes become more accountable for their actions/inaction. Nursing homes and private hospitals are mushrooming like wild fungus. These nursing homes and expensive hospitals mere money making organization for their owners disregarding their social role in a developing country.

The government should have stringent measures in place to check these private medical care institutions. Proper rules and punishment a deterrent to their illegal functioning. The government should make the testing available to these private healthcare institutions so that we could diagnose these cases avoiding death. Only then can we hope to survive this new threat looming in the near horizon.

The role of government in aviation today

2009-08-04T01:45:00.001+05:30

The private sector owned by businessmen whose sole intentions to run an airline was to make profits and not for any social causes or welfare development. October 15th 2008 Naresh Goyal announces that Jet Airways would lay off 1900 employees as they were running at a loss. Kingfisher boss liquor baron Vijay Mallya had laid off 300 employees and indicated that more would lose their jobs. The laid off employees demonstrated outside the airports holding placards and raising slogans. The press and media felt their cause worth highlighting and sympathized with them. The result, Government of India pressurized oil companies to bail these airlines out by deferring their dues owed to them.
On July 3rd three hundred Air India employees strike work carrying red flags as they are not paid their due salary. The government takes a tough stance and the news and media and everyone lambast the Air India employees of being overfed white elephants (AIR INDIA is a public sector undertaking whose sole aim is to provide social equality under the five year plan and to provide services to routes not economically feasible and to help evacuate Indians from places and nations in war zones. The evacuation of Indians from Kuwait in 1990 was a world record.)Air India asks for a bailout package from the government. Everyone is ready to sack all employees of Air India and shut the airlines down.
The Federation of Indian airlines (private airlines) decide to stop operations of domestic flights from August 18th due to acute economical crisis. Air India employees assured the government of full cooperation when the private airlines would stop operations.
The Government assured FIA they would look into the grievances and work something out so that the private airlines could function. Wondering about the role of government and private sector and the media

The Passing Of A Legend -Michael jackson

2009-07-08T01:55:00.003+05:30

Today were the funeral services of a legend,Michael Jackson,at the Staples centre in Los Angeles where living greats spoke of this legend this 'King of Pop' and paid tribute to him.As a young teenager I was listening to his songs,aping his steps, sprinkling powder on the floor trying the moonwalk and now my teenagers are crying to see their favourite singer pass away.
Indeed a legend has lived and died and entertained all and is now moving to entertain that King of All Kings in the greatest theatre of all.May his soul rest in peace this greatest of all entertainers,dogged all his life with controversies.
Only in death which shatterred all even his critics silencing them all, making them all acknowledge his greatness.
What a pity that we selfish humans in life hurt everyone and only death and the loss of human life makes us peer into ourselves and praise the one we wronged.
If only when he was alive and we had it in our heart to understand him would he have been peaceful and lived more to entertain us for a little longer.So cursed are we because of this limitation of our thought process

Glamourising our poverty

2009-05-23T22:36:00.003+05:30

India , land of a resurgent economy, where the abject poor struggle to survive amongst the richest of the rich. Where we all are guilty of showcasing this vulgar display of poverty. The world outside is also salving their conscience by highlighting this display by awarding Oscars to SLUM DOG MILLIONNAIRE .

Everyone making a killing showcasing poverty like it was all that exists in our land -India. Whereas India,a land where the rich and the royals had design houses like Jean Paul Gaultier, Cartier, Louis Vuitton design shoes, bags, clothes for them. Where Maybach cars are sold in plenty, where Montblanc pens are used to sign blank cheques,.Where the Taj Mahal magnificient like a lotus blooming in the dirt of the industrial soot spewed around it , where the passengers spilling out from the crowded compartments of the Sabarmati Express and the quiet and opulent comfort of the Palace on Wheels chugging along for the Indian Railways coexist.The Indian spirit undaunting in the face of years of threat of terrorism

In this magnificient land of the plenty why do we then showcase only the have nots. Is it that we in these times of recession feel assuaged by this show of poverty lulling us into a false sense of prosperity.

Justice for the terrorist

2008-12-17T23:55:00.003+05:30

Now they want justice for the terrorists citing the law of democratic India. Wow these pompous lawyers in their comfortable airconditioned offices trying to gain publicity by such tricks.
The terrorist whose only purpose is to destroy human life and instill fear and disharmony should be tried in a court of law for humans seems strange.
Politicians trying to gain vote banks making comments allowing our country to be torn by religious sentiments and create disharmony in a secular state thereby completing the task set upon by the terrorists. And yet we allow this in the name of democracy and political voting.

Wedding Photography

2008-12-10T16:41:00.004+05:30

In India of all the genre of photography the one most likely not to be chosen as a career option is wedding photography. This despite the fact that many photographers have earned a living doing wedding photography. Unfortunately this section of photography which deals in capturing one of the most important and happy moment of a persons life enjoys a downmarket repute amongst the people.
This is largely due to the fact that wedding photographers by and large are untrained professionals trying to eke out a meagre earnings by largely amateurish methods. If these photographers took some pain and training and learnt their job skills as well as improving their frumpy appearance and took pride in their art they would definitely enjoy the status enjoyed by wedding photographers all over the world.
These wedding photographers should also learn to be more sensitive to the needs and the anxiety of the bride and bridegrom. They should be more aware of the customs and practices of the wedding they are covering thus capturing better images of the wonderful moments of the couples marriage for them to keep for their lifetime.

Political humdrum

2008-12-05T23:52:00.005+05:30

The politicians are having a heyday using the terror attacks as an excuse to settle political scores. Chief ministers and tickets up for grabs! Political horsetrading and selloffs just a hogwash the real issues sidelined. What a pity? Let us not despair for the common citizen is awake and understands the need of the hour. To carry on as usual not to let these awful terrorists succeed in their endeavour to create disruption and disharmony.
The chief weapon we ordinary mortals have is to show this complete disregard to actions and inactions by the various players and carry on as if the dastardly acts never took place. Three cheers to all of us. We haven't fallen prey to the disturbance caused by the terrorists and the politicians and the media trying to create a state of fear paralysis.
Let us rejoice life which is so precious and fragile. Here today shot down tomorrow. But the human race capable of much more carrying about their everyday tasks, where terrrorists' greater than the gun toting ones in the form of capitalist banks and mncs, threatening the economy and filling their coffers at the cost of poor folks.
The human race only creations of nature capable of thought, action and creativity. Let us not loose this capability to recreate and rejoice in the wonders of art.Keep clicking my friends keep clicking. Let those beautiful images help to remind us of the existence of the supreme creator.

Money and Greed a terrorists' weapon

2008-12-04T12:27:00.003+05:30

They say money makes the world go around how true. This same money and greed for it also helps in breeding terrorists and their allies. Banks in their greed for more money in the kitty do not bother about the source of money being transacted through their coffers, issuing credit cards and debits cards to terrorists with false ids and fake papers, spending their efforts and resources targeting poor citizens unable to repay small amounts of credit lent to them, chasing them with goons.
Telephony service providers trying to increase their consumer base selling connections and multiple sim cards to people with dubious character. No goons or attorneys employed by them to take action in case of non payment of bill or checking the falsehood of their ids.The terrorists responsible for the massacre in Mumbai last week all had multiple credit cards and numerous active sim cards.
All thanks to this greed of money by the various institutions fuelling the ease and impunity with which people with false credentials and terrorists with money can go about their illegal unlawful acts with such ease.
Let us not fall prey to this greed for money.Let us be greedy for the various humane acts performed by our heroes.Let us demand for and hunger for excellence in humanity. Let us strive to capture beauty and preserve nature in all its glories.

The Politician and the Press

2008-12-03T13:19:00.008+05:30

Four days since the silence following the sorrow and horror unleashed by the villians of humanity and the press, public and politicians procrastinating, trying to play the blame game, increase trps and fooling the public by some false sense of action.

The various intelligence agencies and defence forces too not to be left out have also been having a heyday playing the blame game. How it goes to show our naivety and how we are fooled by the press and politicians to believe all the lies they feed us.The images of horror glorified by these custodians of truth heightens the terror unleashed by these terrorists. Instead I wonder if images of humane acts of kindness or the feelings of humanity pouring out from the masses.
Let us then strive to showcase our strenghts not our failures, let us then show the world our wondrous beauties so that they feel compelled to visit our lands. Let us showcase our wonderful country and the undying spirit of the masses and make mockery of these so called employees of the masses.

Terrorist attacks

2008-12-02T21:27:00.004+05:30

Novemeber 26th a sad day for all of us. The world was rudely kept awake all night and through the coming 59 hrs dreading the impunity with which the terrorists attacked and tried to destroy the peace of our democracy. They attacked civilian targets delibebrately to create more impact and gather worldwide publicity. That they did not succeed says a lot for the valour of our men who fought day and night to put an end to this terror. We should not thus fall back and let our guards down or succumb to this terror by retaliation as the terrorists will then have won because their very tenements or intentions are to cause damage, inflict casualty and create lawlessness causing strife and warfare. It is time for us to appreciate the greatness of our nation and the support the other nations have shown us in these times of troubles. That we shall succeed and they loose can be seen by the spirit of every mumbaikar going about his daily chores again with renewed vigour.
They say India is not a safe nation but terrorists have no nation and attack any nation. The tourists are scared but fear is a terrorists' weapon and the tourist has fallen prey to it. Let us not let these few fanatics with their warped sense of idealism succeed. Let us roam the world seeking out the beauties and wonders that lie everywhere to be enjoyed and seen and captured. Let us wonder at the marvel of nature and frame it for eternity.

Photography a Calming Balm

2008-11-29T13:02:00.002+05:30

During this period I was suffering from slight high blood pressure thanks to the pressures from job and my colleagues giving me headaches and their back stabbing which disheartened me. It was then that i discovered the therapautic values of photography.Whenever I felt disturbed I would grab my camera and just wonder around looking for images to capture. Immediately I would feel calmed, satisfied and those petty humans with their selfishness ceased to exist. I would peer through the viewfinder of my camera and feel the world throw up new colours ,the world took on a new meaning full of rainbows and beautiful people. God's creation at its best. Mother nature blossoming in all her glories. I would capture these images and return calmed, relaxed and happy.

MY PHOTOGRAPHY

2008-10-03T02:17:00.004+05:30

As I was getting more and more involved in the Institute my photgraphy kept improving. I started sending my pictures to various National and International Salons and got various acceptances and awards. Mr.Tirtha Dasgupta then insisted I apply for an Associateship with the Federation Of Indian Photographers. For this purpose I selected a series of travel pictures and with his help sent a set of 10 pictures for the honours.
My set was accepted and I was awarded the Honours.The credit for this Associateship goes to my teacher Mr.T.Dasgupta

Darpan

2008-09-13T09:19:00.002+05:30

The students of School of Fototechnik held an exhibiton of 300 pictures of their work in Lalit Kala Academy called Darpan in 2004. It was one of the largest exhibition of photography ever held in Delhi and had a wide variety and genre of photographs.
Seeing the response of the viewers and hearing their criticism encouraged all of us to improve on our work even more.

World Photography Day

2008-06-24T22:35:00.004+05:30

19 August a day when the photographic process was bought by the French government and given free to the world. The idea of celebrating 19th august as the World Photography day was moted by O.P. Sharma and he rightly deserves the credit for giving photography the importance it deserves. The world photography was first celebrated in India by IIPC in Delhi. The School of Fototechnik decided to hold a seminar to celebrate the World Photography Day. The speakers included Mr. Subrata Ray a noted pictoralist, Mr. Debatosh Sengupta director ministry of information and broadcasting, and Mr. Madan Mehta of Mahatta and they spoke on Appreciation of art and pictoral photography. It was a three days seminar . I got to learn and see how understanding the dictonary of picture making helped in making my phogoraphs more interesting.

Photographers Evenings

2008-06-18T18:31:00.003+05:30

In the Institute they used to arrange evenings with eminent photographers who would show their photographs and we could discuss techniques or the reason why they took the photographs,etc.

Learning at the School Of Fototechnik

2008-06-16T13:32:00.006+05:30

While at the school I was impressed by the teacher Mr Tirtha Dasgupta.His knowledge about the history and techniques of photography was astounding. His way of teaching scientific and easy to follow.I am grateful to him for increasing my love for this art of picture making.He also introduced me to the world of salons and participating in them.Under his encouragement and guidance I alongwith other students soon began to get wide acceptances and awards in National and International salons.

School of Fototechnik

2008-06-14T18:22:00.003+05:30

The chance meeting with Mr.Tirthadasgupta and Mr.Amitava Sengupta made me visit the School Of Fototechnik in Jangpura, Delhi.The Institute has shifted to Flat B First Floor,South Patel Nagar Market,(Near Patel Nagar Metro Station)New Delhi. There a qoutation by Leonardo Da Vinci "people are in the habit of practising without knowledge of its theory,akin to a sailor in the ship with no knowledge of the stars and compass, knows that he is going but where he has no idea", made me stop to think. I realised that my lack of theorotical knowledge was the main hindrance in my photography and i decided to enrol in the classes offered by the school. As it was not possible for me by way of my job to attend regular classes I enrolled in thier summer crash course. Thus began my journey into the world of photography and there has been no looking back since then.

My inspiration

2008-06-14T02:13:00.000+05:30

I was taking photographs of the places I visited and i realised that they were just snapshots and not pictures that I had imagined in my mind. Then came a chance meeting with 2 people who influnced my photography. They invited me to visit an institute where they taught photography to people who loved photography. This chance meeting changed my photography and made it my passion. It changed my life too. earlier I was impatient and aggressive but now I am very patient and calm.

about my photography

2008-06-14T01:01:00.000+05:30

I was drawn into this art of picturemaking since i realised that i was travelling all over the world and could bring back some of my memories for my friends and family.