stories of valour

Ranthambore has more of green foliage and water bodies. And the mighty Aravalli mountain range stood  silently to guard the treasures of the forest. The forest and its fort of Ranthambore have many a stories of the bygone glorious era of kings and queens. The calmness of the forest is often broken by the gentle wind that brings you closer to the stories of the history.

At the heartland of Ranthambore, everything seemed mystical. The stories of royals, the tiger; it was as if the tales competed with itself to show valour. I expected the unexpected to happen in the following days. So planned two tours to the forests, with a hope that I would definitely get to see tiger in the first visit itself. On the first trip I was very close to seeing a tiger, said the jeep driver, who kept narrating heroic tales of spotting tigers. However, what I could see was just the ‘kill’.

The drive continued through the undulating terrain of Route 8. I must say, everyone should opt for Route 8 to experience an adventurous drive you just cannot imagine. At certain turns, you would feel that in the next second you will be off the cliff. Finally the jeep halted atop a deep valley, where a tiger had trod down to drink water and to cool himself from the April heat. Waited for almost half-hour. Obviously to spot a tiger, half-hour is like few seconds. It suddenly had become the hot spot for tiger spotting seething with a small crowd who were ready with all kinds of cameras and smart phones to digitally capture the lone tiger. The crowd comprised of people from all over India; affluent, stylish, wildlife enthusiasts, children (they didn’t know what was happening), wailing babies and mummies in chiffon saris. The wait seemed too long. Though it was not allowed to get off from the jeep, while you were still in the forests, few ladies with little babies got off from the vehicle. On seeing this my eyes cringed and ears stood erect to hear those footsteps from the deep valley. Alas he was indeed having a leisure time down there.

I started downhill journey to return another day. May be the romance had only begun. Soon a day will come, where I would see the majestic tiger walking towards me. Till then the lioness of Gir forest would keep me motivated to plan the next visit to the forests of Ranthambore.

(Ever thankful to my friends, Sowmya, Rohit, Urvi, Charles and Shabya for all the memories)

friend

Painting by Alwin Paul

We were the best friends from ages
Stood up for each other
Climbed the cashew trees with ease
Stomped the neighbourhood villa
All for a couple of guava
Cracked a few jokes with lovely aunties on lazy summer afternoons
And escaped from the scathing sights of naughty uncles
Life, just went by like a lullaby to the newborn
Until I crossed the mirror
As I did, I lost my friend
Who until then followed me like a shadow
I bet you have seen my friend
As my friend is for real

[to my most loving, but lost friend]

getting lost in the woods

That was the most unexpected trip of year 2016. I was not required to be a part of the trip. But sheer need of a change and a vacant weekend pulled me in. So I set forth to travel 200 plus kms to experience the unseen forests of Bharuch, a district in Gujarat that is known for its industrial presence and Gulf of Khambat. I was not alone in the trip, Hardik and Akash my colleagues and friends were part of this adventure. Since it was an official visit, there was a vintage looking Bolero for company as well along with a very entertaining Chandanbhai at the steering.

As it was the month of July, there were only different hues of green around us. Before we get into forest, the objective behind the trip was to photo document the plantation efforts done by Forest Department in and around Bharuch to combat loss of biodiversity and to bring back lost species of trees and plants. I being a non-botany person, was about to be awed by what is in store. As you may know forests are divided in clusters for it’s better and management. So we visited Netrang and Jhagadiya divisions of Bharuch. The visit was more than enriching. Firstly I could see the green side of a district that is more known for presence of industries. The two day trip took me to deep forest areas reserved for plantation and water conservation activities. The terrain was undulating, wet and full of thick foliage. My camera never rested. It captured the forests and its life, with all its glory.

Certainly a trip to forest will definitely not be uneventful. I had a fall, rather slipped and skied only to land on my bum. And all throughout this fall I was only concerned about the safety of the camera. The second adventure was to ‘get lost in the woods’ with zero mobile connectivity. I must tell you, here I realized the utmost importance of being physically fit to walk and run without losing breath. When rest of the team trekked to the top of hillock, I was catching breath and was thinking ‘would I become the lunch of that leopard that must be watching me from over the tree and salivating’. Thanks to the foresters, who by then had filled my imagination with stories of frequent leopard sightings in and around the area where I got lost. But the fact is I was only worried for a while, because if at all a leopard finds me interesting, there was not much I could do, than surrendering myself. Once the worry faded away, I looked around and was astonished to see trees and variety of trees. Small and big ones, stood strong holding on to the ground, like a mother taking care of the newborn. These were the trees which for centuries are holding on to the earth and stop erosion of land only to provide a secured life to its dwellers, the living beings.

Bamboo forests, natural and man-made are abound in Bharuch. The smell of wet earth and dripping water from the long leaves painted a picture of a joyful monsoon. Rain drenched grasses never made by heavy feet feel the need of rest and for two days we wandered throughout the bamboo plantation and got introduced to many offshoots of older bamboo trees, as old as 30 years.

Undoubtedly the most astonishing part of the trip was the magnificent hilly range with a natural formation like that of the Mount Rushmore (to my bewildered eyes) known as Vadadhiya Dungar. Any lover of hills would be amazed to see the formation. Bharuch has many historical hot spots, like the Kadia Dungar Caves, which has seven caves carved from the mountain during the 1st and 2nd century AD. It is believed that the Pandavas stayed over here during exile.

So what is stopping you, when it is monsoon make a plan to visit Bharuch.

 

What I call home

we were a gang of five who stomped this ground day and night and loved each day of it. now we enjoy to cuddle up whenever we get time 🙂

Only lucky ones have a place to call home. So was I. For thirteen years this was my home, where I learnt to walk, run, laugh, cry and what not. Today as I look back, what I can see is that I am a reflection of this home and its surrounding. Every nook and corner of this home are so attached to my heart that I am living more in memories than in present. Which is why, so often I fail to adjust to changes which my heart cannot recognize. People close to me would surely vouch for my love for Pallipuram, just because I have bored them to death by narrating endless stories; stories of childhood friend, collecting stamps, stealing toffees, skipping school bus, innumerable romeos, spooky uncles and so on. However, what stands tall and prominent in the memory is the home. Now that the old home is renovated and is no longer seen, what remains is the new one with few parts of its past.

So I am in love with the old and living in the past. Hence would share with you all, what I miss the most each moment, while I am almost 2000 kms away. And thanks to Alwin, who prompted me to take the mobile and walk around while sitting and sulking about leaving home yet again.

still in love with the light aroma of nambyar vattam and its cooling effect

now, who doesnt like this

the fun me and sheri had at this cattle shed is beyond imagination

none would believe, but my favourite work was washing clothes

still fascinated with this well, rains in good old days used to fill it in three straight days

a dawn to dusk activity, still

the cycle brigade

While travelling through the hillside villages of Bharuch on a warm July afternoon, I met this group of enthusiastic boys on cycle. While I was languishing in a rickety Bolero with a tele-lens mounted camera, they were having the time of their life on the unpredictable yet familiar roads. Many of you would surely relate with such escapades on cycle.

It was a holiday for them. More than the children, I was happy to find them. For those who travel, children following you in villages are a common sight, especially if you smile and be warm to them. Believe me, these are the true joy of travelling. No big take aways, no resort hoping, but some unconditional memories and of course little tiredness too.

closest heaven on earth

The day was born early
Trumpets of wind and rain on the closed train window
Shook me up from the slumber
And brought a smile on my face
For, I was soon to be on a never been traveled road
Through the curves and pits of Kankavali
The rain drenched red sands and the chirping streams took me
To the heaven on earth, the closest one probably.

my ammichi

For me, she is Ammichi and for many she is Agnes thathi. At 86, she is an inspiration for me, to keep aside troubles and move ahead in life. While I was growing up in the beautiful coastal village of Pallipuram in Vypin Island; I only wished to get a job and erase all her woes. For those who have heard of this for the first time, Vypin is one of the highly inhabited Islands in Kerala, the picturesque state of India.

Little did I know then, that it would be Ammichi who would inspire me to move on and achieve greater heights, especially in terms of education, financial stability and above all a happy family life. Not just for her family, but she has stood beside many to give that timely advice to ward off domestic and financial troubles.

Ammichi was born into a very humble family of four daughters and a relentlessly hardworking mother – father. She couldn’t complete her education as desired by her. She dreamt of becoming a teacher, once she told me. Though, in life she was no less than a teacher, all those who are acquainted with her, would certainly vouch for this.

Soon Ammichi became a wife and mother to four daughters and three sons. And her life changed completely. Having a husband who was posted with the Indian Army, Ammichi took the reins of bringing up the family into her hands. Ammichi for the past 40 plus years has rarely missed opening her small wooden toffee shop near St. Mary’s High School at Pallipuram. More or less, she has continuously witnessed over three generations of students, who still remember the ammayi muttai and kumbloose naaranga they ate from her pettikada (small shop in Malayalam). And the pettikada has played an important role in supporting her financial needs.

And what a beautiful family she has raised. In spite of not being a biological part of her family, she brought me up just the way she would have done with her own offspring. Indeed, she lived the role of my Ammichi (mother in Malayalam). As per the relation, I should have called her Ammama (grandma), but I never realized the difference, as she raised me with equal portions of love, patience and punishments.
Today, when she is celebrating her birthday, I stand here, educated, settled and with a loving family. This is when I realize the value of those moments of love and punishments. And how it has helped me to value life and count blessings, above all.

heritage all around us

The ethos of India is beautifully etched on the many architectural marvels all around us. My early memories of visiting a heritage site dates back to 1993, when I was taken to Lal Darwaja one of the busiest market places of Ahmedabad. Thanks to my mother for holding on to her amused daughter of 13 years of age and showing around the city that was built more than 600 years ago. Here in Ahmedabad, my journey started. Work, yearly trips and an adventurous husband has taken me to few parts of the country. This collage is made from the trips made in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala. These places have the signature architectural styles and patterns of the Mughal, Portuguese, Mewar, Maurya, Rajput, Indo-Saracenic and the Muzzaffarid as well as Solanki dynasty. This is a small tribute to the spectacular heritage of India.

lakhpat and around: floating crematorium

Kachchh is a traveler’s paradise. Who doesn’t know that? Every nook and corner of this mysterious and beautiful place is an artist’s impression on canvas. The expanse of Kachchh is so large that it is not difficult to find a place that is devoid of population. One such part of Kachchh is Lakhpat, which was once a thriving port and a hub for maritime trade. However, the glorious past has become fables now. The arid topography of Lakhpat still has many beautiful places, which are often found and cherished by travelers. I would certainly be doing a series on ‘Lakhpat and around’, so that more and more people get motivated to visit this nondescript corner of Kachchh.

the floating crematorium

This is such a place, which wouldn’t have caught anyone’s attention. The floating crematorium. Literally it doesn’t float. But in my imagination it certainly does. Just as when I was rushing out of Koteshwar Mahadev temple (very popular place among visitors), my eyes fell on this small structure with no roof, right in the middle of sea. It formed a perfect painting in indigo with the blue sky merging with the Arabian Sea. Later on, I could know that the building is nothing but a crematorium. People in and around this western tip of Kachchh district still use this crematorium. Unfortunately I couldn’t know much about how people would access the crematorium during high tide. However, it seems the pyre will be set on fire, when the tide is low. For me, the mystery continues.

travelling couple

having a quiet conversation

it is the latest rage to travel alone; they say ‘it leads you to self exploration’. Since I am yet to experience it, cannot vouch for that. So as of now, I believe in travelling together, with friends, family or colleagues. Travelling in company has its own benefits. When I say company, I don’t mean that I only prefer 10 people. Not at all. One can enjoy the pleasures of travelling and the place more when travelling with the person you love the most. Like a close mate or your companion. It helps you be calm and sure about the surrounding. Moreover, you can be relaxed about the ever inquisitive strangers. I agree that not every stranger is a monster. The quiet conversations, those little arguments over luggage and fretting about last minute shopping; the travelling couple would have hundreds of such stories. It certainly gives an opportunity to plan and dream about a trip. Especially as you age, travelling together will make you fall in love again and again.

a couple checking the luggage together