Watches and Keys

The oldest cost centre wanted me to take some photographs for his graphic arts project. Here are the ones. Weird composition subjects but then I am an old fart, what do I know about graphic arts. Anyway, here they are.

Some Garden Views in March #photography

Pottering around in the garden in early March

the daffodils were out and about.

Very shy ones.

My Laughing Buddha looks over the garden and keeps us safe and merry.

The rose plants were throwing off their first leaves

And it had rained.



We also have a little rabbit menagerie
 

Another little flower that i have. Cheeky Diya

I dont like you any more Diya

I am posing like a model Diya.

Animal Farm–Chickens and Peacocks #photography

Guess what? I forgot to take the camera to an animal farm where Diya was invited for a birthday party. So had to use my iphone, but managed to capture a fascinating sight that I would have never considered to be ever available in London.

A glorious pheasant.



Bunnies

And a sad looking turkey.


A whole series of chickens.

Well, ok, makes sense

Some very manky looking ducks.

And a very hairy large pig. But I turn around and get the surprise of my life. A real life peacock.

And then it started dancing.

Here are the videos of this wonderful bird dancing for us.

Here is the slideshow for more photographs. Next time, I am carrying my camera!

Jeepers Creepers

A fascinating view of how a creeper has crept over a wall near a playground where Diya went for a birthday party. 

Vietnamese Food / Menu

Fried Ice-cream? See #108

And this sauce was absolutely to die for.

The Tombs of Kaiserbagh, Lucknow. #photography

We then popped out to get a bite to eat in the Ganj and then decided to look at the two tombs in front of Clark's Awadh.

The driver dropped us off at the entrance and we started walking towards the tomb of Sadat Ali Khan. It looks quite impressive from afar. The man actually was useless, gave over half his kingdom to the Brits after driving his kingdom to penury. Both him and the British do not come out of this episode well. Bleah.

But when you zoom in, its a bit different.



It has been restored, as you can see on the right hand side photograph.

Here is another example. The left hand side window has not been restored while the right hand side one has been.

The restoration has been done quite well. You can see the difference between the restored version versus the one on the right.



Lovely row of arches and domes.

People taking it easy on the grass.

It is not fully restored, mind you. Several windows are still open and havent been covered up properly.

The roof isnt well maintained either, but still looks good.

The tourist board which talks about the tomb. The tomb also contains three of his begums.

Somebody sitting and sleeping on one of the windows.

Beautiful arches.

The fish insignia.



The interior of the tomb. See that blue wooden framework in the background? The Nawab is buried just under that structure in a room below.

Lovers graffiti. Swati and Rajesh seem to love each other.



Another window with the spiral staircase….



It must have looked brilliant in its heyday. Keep on walking around.

The west side of the tomb.

Rain spouts with a carved face.



Beautiful red pointed work on the walls, mind you.

The sun shows up the warm plastering of the tomb beautifully.

Here’s my begum looking dishum! : ) dandila first class.

Are they really trying to restore or what? Looks scabied, bah!

The arches are also weird, only bits have been restored and the whole thing ends up looking strange.



A closeup of the non restored piece. See what I mean? Poor building is showing its age after 300 years.

What’s this? Looks like an underground dome.



More Lover’s graffiti.

Looking back at the tomb. Looks good, but didnt speak to me I am afraid.



Now to the other tomb of Mushirzadi, one of the Queens of Oudh. This one, on the other hand, did speak to me despite not being restored to that extent. Was it the colours? Warm ivory colour? Perhaps.



Lovely intricate arches and domes.

The spike on the top.



See? on a close up, the plaster is crumbling away.

One of the chattri’s in the corner. Looks good.

Some more closeups of the detail.

The roof slabs are falling off unfortunately.

Walking around to the side. The have removed the soil from the sides of the tomb. I guess exposing the lower windows. More of that later on.

A corner view of the tomb.



The tourist blurb.



We were on the North side of the tomb when we noticed that the lower door was ajar and poked our head in.

This is the actual burial chamber, they are refurbishing it. Two graves, mum and daughter together.

The arches have been restored and replastered.

The other tomb from inside this one.

Another view of the tomb.





Still work in progress but what’s with the kites?

See? they have removed the soil from the base.

Another view of the exposed foundations.

We then were deciding to get back and then noticed a sort of procession forming just outside.



Mounted Police.

Kids dressed up as famous people. Is this Bhimrao Ambedkar?

Indian Army Soldiers

Buddha

Maharishi Valmiki, the author of the Ramayan.

No idea who this is.

Something about the 1857 first war of independence.

Some tribal hero. And another hero of the war of independence in the rear.

Kabir. Looking very miserable.

And a brass band.

More people taking it easy. Started walking back and took some black and white photos.







Looks good. But hardly 5% of the monuments have survived the savagery of the British after the 1857 war of independence. I suppose its good that the tombs have survived, eh?

 
A cute little tomb just outside the gates. Not sure who it belongs to. Anyway, here’s the slideshow with many more photographs if you are interested in them. And that’s the end of the India photo session. It was a good time that I had in India. Cant wait to get back there. Perhaps Agra this time.