Sunday, May 29, 2011

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.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Some Garden Views in March #photography

Pottering around in the garden in early March

Photobucket

the daffodils were out and about.

Photobucket

Very shy ones.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

The rose plants were throwing off their first leaves

Photobucket

And it had rained.

Photobucket

We also have a little rabbit menagerie
 
Photobucket

Another little flower that i have. Cheeky Diya

Photobucket

I dont like you any more Diya


Photobucket

I am posing like a model Diya.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

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.

Photobucket

A glorious pheasant.

PhotobucketPhotobucket

Bunnies

Photobucket

And a sad looking turkey.

PhotobucketPhotobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketA whole series of chickens.

Photobucket

Well, ok, makes sense Smile

Photobucket

Some very manky looking ducks.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

And then it started dancing.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

PhotobucketPhotobucket


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!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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.

Saturday, May 07, 2011

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.

Photobucket

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.

Photobucket

But when you zoom in, its a bit different.

PhotobucketPhotobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Lovely row of arches and domes.

Photobucket

People taking it easy on the grass.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Somebody sitting and sleeping on one of the windows.

Photobucket

Beautiful arches.

Photobucket

The fish insignia.

Photobucket

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.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Another window with the spiral staircase….

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

The west side of the tomb.

Photobucket

Rain spouts with a carved face.

PhotobucketPhotobucket

Beautiful red pointed work on the walls, mind you.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

What’s this? Looks like an underground dome.

PhotobucketPhotobucket

More Lover’s graffiti.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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.

Photobucket

Lovely intricate arches and domes.

Photobucket

The spike on the top.

Photobucket

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

PhotobucketPhotobucket

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

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Some more closeups of the detail.

Photobucket

The roof slabs are falling off unfortunately.

PhotobucketPhotobucket



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.

Photobucket

Photobucket

A corner view of the tomb.

Photobucket

The tourist blurb.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Photobucket

The arches have been restored and replastered.

Photobucket

The other tomb from inside this one.

Photobucket

Another view of the tomb.



PhotobucketPhotobucket

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

Photobucket

See? they have removed the soil from the base.

Photobucket

Another view of the exposed foundations.

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

Photobucket

Mounted Police.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Indian Army Soldiers

Photobucket

Buddha

Photobucket

Maharishi Valmiki, the author of the Ramayan.

Photobucket

No idea who this is.

Photobucket

Something about the 1857 first war of independence.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Kabir. Looking very miserable.

Photobucket

And a brass band.

Photobucket

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

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

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?

Photobucket 
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.