Waiting

See it on Black and Large, originally uploaded by Sonali Dalal.

Via Flickr:

"Waiting"

I've been waiting a long time
For this moment to come
I'm destined
For anything...at all

-- Greenday

Shop in the old city

Shop in the old city, originally uploaded by Sonali Dalal.

Via Flickr:

Old City of Ahmedabad still has this type of tiny little shops selling day to day items. Old fashioned Red telephone is public telephone service provided by the shopkeepeR.

Faces of India - 8

Once again I am back with my favourite series Faces of India.

Time for a tea break and gossip.

I was taking a walking tour of the city, which gave me plenty of opportunity to study the faces I love to photograph.

I could see hint of fear and madness on his visage.

 Two friends were enjoying their early morning gossip session.

Fond father was helping his son with studies while fond grandfather was observing the proceedings.

Shopkeeper had just opened his shop and was not in his sartorial best.

Old shepherd was relaxing while his herd was looked after by his son.

Ladies had lot to discuss while man was contemplating.

Monk was not very happy being photographed.

How I can I forget dogs which are as much a part of Indian landscape as people are.

Faces of India - 7 Through the Window

Recently I took a walk inside the old city of Ahmedabad. Passing through narrow lanes and "Pols" of old city one feature I took particular notice was of windows of the houses which lined these lanes.
Social life of residents of these lanes,poles  revolve around happenings in lanes,poles or squares they live in. Window is their viewfinder to this life. It is their link to the world outside their homes. Any new entrant to the area brings them to their window . People passing through are observed keenly,discussed  and of course welcomed with open warmth.

Interaction with milkman, hawkers also sometimes happen through windows.

Rathyatra, Ahmedabad

Rathyatra is one of the most celebrated festival of Ahmedabad,India.  Since 133 years this traditions is kept alive by people of the city.Rath yatra of Ahmedabad stands next to Puri in terms of importance.

Every year during first month of monsoon , according to Hindu  mythology,Lord Jagannath (Vishnu),his brother Balram and sister Subhadra ride their chariots and go to their uncle's home for vacation and return to their home. Rathyatra symbolises that journey. In Ahmedabad, around 2,00,000 people take part in procession. This procession halts in the afternoon at Lord's maternal uncle's home. And after lunch and some rest it restarts. The maternal uncle's home is situated (by tradition) in area called Saraspur in old city of Ahmedabad. According to century old tradition, people staying in this area provide lunch to everyone who participate in this procession. For this they do not charge as it is considered privilege to serve the devotees. Cooking by ladies of the area starts 2 days before. Every member of the locality participates in the festivities.Air of devotion is in the air which can affect most people visiting the area.

I was lucky enough to see going ons in the kitchen day before. Here are some glimpses of the same.

Spices are kept ready.

Puris (puffed Indian bread) being prepared.

Vegetables cut!

Many hands work faster.

Young and old all join hands to cook.

People enjoy the work.

Puri frying is men's job!

Some glimpses of Old City- Khadia, Ahmedabad

Is it cold enough?

Seems So!!

Famous "Kitliwala" of Sutharwado. I had a most delicious tea there.

Old City ahmedabad

IMG_5708, originally uploaded by sonalidalal.

hundreds of years old dilapidated building

IMG_5699, originally uploaded by sonalidalal.

One can find many such buildings in old city of Ahmedabad. Hundreds of years old, badly in need of repairing. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's heritage wing is doing great job in restoration of such old homes & buildings.