Travel to White desert -Kutch - part -6

My soul  is different from yours. My hungers are different from yours. My assumptions are different from yours. My capabilities are different from yours. My experiences are different from yours. My expressions are different from yours.

- Bhagvad Gita Chapter 12 

from My gita by Devdutt Pattnaik

I have always felt that one region in India which has followed this verse from Gita to the T is Kutch. Region made up of so many different communities, groups , tribes have lived together in peace for years by accepting and enjoying their differences.

Smiling children of Kutch

Smiling school children, Kutch

Children are mirrors of diversity that is Kutch.  Smiling faces of children represnt spirit of Kutch.

Children of Kutch, White desert story

Travel to White desert - Kutch- Part -5

Where are they heading? Kutch, may be

I look up and I see flock of birds flying westwards. May be they are flying towards Kutch, I dream. Kutch, has always been my favourite destination in india. As and when time permits, I make a dash for this dry barren land which has a lot to offer for nature and craft lover in me.

Man with piercing eyes, Village of Kutch

Each time I have visited Kutch I have come back with memories of some faces, whom I am not likely to forget in a hurry. Man in the photo above, was initially very reluctant to be photographed and avoided  my very obvious attempt and a request to photograph him. As i was about to walk away , he came and knelt in front of his window and posed. And i got the shot I wanted. I can understand the reluctance to be photographed in many kutchi people. Photographers invade kutch in hordes and start capturing photos without bothering about the sensitivity of the people regarding the issue,particularly of women who live behind the veils and are not happy about being photographed. 

Kutchi woman who loved being photographed.

Here was one feisty old lady, who gave us her toothy smile and didn't mind being photographed. 


To be continued...

Travel to White desert - Kutch- Part -4 Faces

Most important and enjoyable part of travelling through Kutch is its people. Artist par excellence, colourful, hardworking , friendly are few words which come to my mind when I am asked to describe them. Kutch is a meeting ground for so many religions,communites and groups. One community which has always fascinated me as a photographer is Nomads of Kutch.

Nomads of Kutch

 It is believed that they had originally migrated from Sindh or even beyond from regions in central Asia. They share common ancestry with Roma of Romania.

Some of the people I have met during my various trips to Kutch have lasting impression on me. Faces I can never forget.

Young kutchi girl

Women with their traditional colourful attire and Jwellery are strikingly beautiful and extremely talented at the crafts. 

Vadha community woman

One can also occasionally come across Sidi families whose forefathers had migrated from Africa to India and have made Kutch and Saurastra regions their home. 

Sidi Man

Sometimes one can come across resistance to be photographed, as idea of their faces being commercially used worries them. Explaining your purpose behind capturing their photos can calm them down and you are given a permission with a smile.

Journey continues....


http://www.gujarattourism.com/

Travel White Desert- Kutch - Part 3

Through beautiful Banni Grassland..

Frequent chai-tea stops made our journey more enjoyable. Interaction with locals is always most pleasurable part of any journey.

Smiling Kutchi child on way to White Desert

As we progressed  through the grassland, topography changed. One can see land as far as eyes can reach. Dust storms were frequent. Mirage created dreamy photo opportunity.

Mirage on way to White Desert

 One can see row of animals walking towards source of water ,passing by localised dust storm.

In search of water, Banni Grassland, Kutch

Barren land of Kutch desert

Suddenly a surprise like this house without roof can stop you on your tracks.

Beyond imagination, Banni grassland,Kutch

To be continued.....

Travel - White Desert, Kutch - Part -2

Journey  continues ...

Journey along the salt pans of Kutch continues.... 

As we continued our journey towards White desert- Safed Rann and Banni Grassland in Kutch, we encountered many nomad families on their way back to Kutch ,where they had travelled to avoid harsh summer climate.

Nomads of Kutch , Guajrat, India

As our journey continued, and we neared Banni Grassland, sudden dust storms became frequent .  Through the haze of dust we could see buffaloes trying to cross the road.

Sudden Dust Storm at Banni Grassland

The landscape became flatter and flatter , as we reached, largest grassland in Indian subcontinent- Banni.  we could see, immense diversity of changing  flora and fauna. Intricacies of dried tree fascinated abstract photographer in me. 

Flora and fauna of Banni Grass land