I Am an Eraser

Sanctity.

Qualia is the Female Protagonist

When one talks about a woman or looks at her lecherously, the only thing that keeps them secure is their Sanctity. Their pureness from how they really feel.

Women expressing what is sanctimonious to them is merely being under wraps or exposing themselves completely. Between these lie the moments of their Sanctity.

So here's me presenting to you, Qualia.

Sanctity.

Sentient.

Qualia.

Sentience.

Acceptance. Free.

Mumbai Nightlife

On Assignment for DNA, & First time in my life of 20 and a Half I ventured out three nights in a row searching for the Beauty that Bombay Nights are. 

It's true what people say, this city never sleeps.

Also, this city shines in all it's glory when the Night comes. If it still feels gloomy I'm sure you'll find people when you open your heart to them who'd communicate with you via smiles and brighten up your world one smile at a time :)

I'm happy to have found really helpful fellow Mumbaikars throughout my Assignment.

One Night (Janmashthami) A group of Men on seeing us waiting for a cab found one for us and I thanked them for their sweet gesture. They did it out of common courtesy, chivalry still exists.

That Night I also met a Man named Anthony Verghese, I asked him if I could take his photograph and he asked me what newspaper would he be on and I replied. A few seconds passed and a Homeless Drunk man (Who looked healthy and could work) appeared an stood besides him, Anthony wasn't too pleased. He asked me in English, "Did you get him as well?" while the other man kept saying, "Give me some money, you can take a photo of my kid as well!". Anthony whispered to me, "I don't want your money madam, Bless you." and then he gave me his Million Dollar Smile.

He wasn't just a Cleaning man or a Rag Picker, he was a self made man, content & full of love. That Night I learnt there's more to just the categories we put people in.

On one Night I came across a brilliant artist who painted Ganapati Idols, also the only one who was working so late throughout the Night. His dedication matched his precision. The concentration matched the beauty of his work.

The same Night I met a man who worked in a flour making shop...He was the only one I found so tired of the Mundane. His eyes seemed distant. Working to make sure his boy gets the education he never received.

I also met a woman whose walk could bring a man to the ground. Their eyes would lust after her bare skin. She would just walk past them with much ease, wouldn't flinch. Small talks didn't intrigue her but she looked amused anyway. I saw her, she saw me. Began with a smile, sat besides each other and I took a photo of her. We are to meet again, same spot, someday soon.

Then came my one and only experience of verbal sexual harassment and stalking. At the very same spot, a month later I was a part of a Rally called "Oh Womaniya!" addressing this very issue amongst many others.

So Yes, this ones a long journal entry but I thought you should know.

The city can be intimidating but trust yourself and give another the benefit of doubt. Not every shadow in the dark is coming for you, doesn't mean you don't stay well aware of your surroundings but also don't let fear take magic away from your Bombay Nightlife experience.

Safety comes fist, tag someone along for that late night conversation with some magical cutting chai. Or go solo just keep someone posted :)
If you feel inspired to go out and shoot at night let me know in the comments below and please do feel free to share your story with me.
Love.
Happy Viewing!

Late night conversations at the Queens Necklace.

Cyclewalah.

A story in motion.

City Lights and sleep.

Straight out of a bollywood Movie.

Precision. 

Contemplation.

Rangeen.

Muska-tea-ers!

His Heart warming Smile.

Her.

Teach For India #Mumbai

"Teach For India is a nationwide movement of outstanding college graduates and professionals working towards eliminating educational inequity in India."- Teach For India

This isn't just an introduction, it really is the truth. 

These Fellows put in all they have into teaching students, hoping that they'll make a difference; bring about a change.

I am fortunate to know of such people in my life who are in the process of bringing about such a Change.

This ones to the Smiles of those lovely children and to the Efforts put in by their Didi's (Teachers).

 

Published TWICE in DNA in this very month!

This Sure is making me starry eyed!

The previous publication was about this awesome collaboration with a freelance writer about crazy funny stand-up comedians:
http://www.iamin.in/en/mumbai-south/news/catch-some-mumbai%E2%80%99s-funniest-humorists-40738

Worked as a Freelance Photographer on this assignment for DNA and gave photographs as required for this photo-feature.
Bombay Nightlife. 
Learnt and experienced so much through this.

Special Thanks to Pooja for giving me this opportunity, Simi for coordinating so well & Gen for being there throughout assisting & adding all things positive to the experience.

This ones to the endless Late Night Cutting-Chais, Taxi/Rickshaw drivers & people I photographed and met while shooting for this assignment.

Links:

DNA West Coast Stories (4 published):
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=1&edcode=820028&eddate=2014-8-22

DNA Downtown Edition (2 published):
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?edcode=820027&QuickEdition=yes

Precisely Picturesque: Travel Diaries: Bangkok. Faces #2

Bangkok isn't all about the smiling faces, like i've mentioned even before. And seeing the other side which doesn't include smiling makes ones heart melt.

Here we are, at the Damnernsaduak Floating Market of Thailand.

As I sat right at the beginning of our little Boat,  feeling the wind swoosh though my hair and Chang Beer in my hand, beautiful sights unfurled right before us.

So many colors & faces. Happy, convincing, disappointed. 

Went at a time when not much sales happen as it wasn't  peak tourist season, desperation to make even one sale seemed evident.

While some stood on the sides outside their homes, smiling and waving.... the rest tried all the persuasion skills they had within 30 seconds.

Got some great buys (hated bargaining with them).

I'll probably post about them once this series is done.

Hope you enjoy the sights I had the chance to view in person.

Happy viewing.

Love.

S.

X

Trees decorated our path through and through.

The busyness and the colors. Almost like a Painting. Complimenting each other.

Well, Hello There!

Two very distinct expressions, speak volumes.

Precisely Picturesque: Travel Diaries: Bangkok. Faces.

The City of Smiles, truly. But the city of sins too.

Lost my heart to the endless stories and people I came across at one glance.

From warm smile to their sing-song voices pleading us not to bargain more and their hilarious way of saying "Fuck You" when pissed off.

But mostly greeting us with "Sawadeeka".

Foot massage that made me want to bring "On" to Mumbai and visit her everyday to Mouth watering Banana Nutella Crepes!!

Burmese people singing perfect Hindi Filmy old numbers and the rest being extremely creepy and asking me if I was married and being extremely sexist and idiotic...

Found a Cab driver who was a Thai replica of what one may call "Raja Hindustani"!!

The sight of men seeking lust, hovering around young girls is cringeworthy but an experience nonetheless.

Cute kids and furry pooches and extremely fashionable people!

Every single person is bursting with so much character in so many ways, from the way they smile to the way their eyes shine each time they try to convince us to buy something at a higher price (Colaba Causeway Bargaining comes in handy here!!) and how heart-breaking it is to turn their offer down and watch their sad faces.

A city bursting with creativity and color.

Graffitis, clothes, food, music, and traditions; a perfect blend.

Here's a tiny sneak-peek to some of the faces that caught my attention and are now etched in my memory.

To the Bangkok I know.

Precisely Picturesquely.

Travel Diaries.

Love.

S.

X

This beautiful dog has a name I couldn't register.
He is a stray taken in shelter by one of the girls working at this store.
He walks in often just to pick up something to eat!

Every cut with equal amount of force and with precision.
His hands were shriveled but strong.
A face that has more stories than can be told.

Thought I missed this shot but found later in my photo archives!
A delightful photo, this one.
The Tuk-tuk guy's customers were my sisters!

A passing glance over the town and the first person to give me the warmest smile I've ever seen.
Thanks to this lovely woman It was a good start X

Shloka & Kaavya

Had the Chance to photograph these two beautiful babies all over again!
The cutest siblings of them all.
Lucky are the parents to have received the gift of love all over again on the very same day :)

What a better way to start than where I left it a few months back?
Sending love your way X

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