Return to the Motherland

Vacationing Once again in India

2011-03-01T17:54:00.004+03:00

Just a few shots from my December-January 2011 trip of which I have very few photos cause the majority are on my hard drive on my PC in India.

Home

Daddy and Mamma on a special birthday eve.

Mamma and Brother Rahul

At the Races - my winning horse!

In Kumatuli at night

Mind boggling Benares

Faerie Out x

India Tribute 1: Land/City Scapes

2010-06-03T19:10:00.006+03:00

So the following few posts are my India Tribute posts as you have probably derived from the titles. The photos may have appeared at one point or another on the blog, or not at all, but either way I figure they deserve posting. I'm pretty sure they will be more coming.

3rd Pasta, Bombay

India Gate, Bombay

Time Traveling Through Bombay

Masjid (if you know the name, please let me know!)

Fresh Fishing, Sunderbans

On the Hooghly, Calcutta

Lake Gardens by Night, Calcutta

College Street, Calcutta

College Street

Monsadah, W.B.

Shadows, Calcutta

From my balcony, Calcutta

Calcutta

Love,

RoBoat

India Tribute 2: Kumartuli

2010-06-03T15:22:00.007+03:00

Love&Light,

RoBerry

India Tribute 3: Abstract/Random

2010-06-03T14:53:00.006+03:00

A selection of photos that somehow don't belong anywhere in particular, but still deserve to be posted.

Enjoy.

Darjeeling, Monsoon Time

On our way to Bhagsu Falls, Himachal Pradesh

3 hour trek from Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Taj Mahal, Agra

College Street, Calcutta

Darjeeling

At the Inner Circle, Calcutta

Prodipta's Hand

Skeleton Legs, Marco

McLoed Gunj, Himachal Pradesh

Mother Mary, Azimganj, W.B.

Love,

RoBo

India Tribute 4: Animale in India

2010-06-02T17:33:00.007+03:00

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

You know the French have been around when...

Escargot
Monsadah, West Bengal
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Puri, Orissa

Camel Surfing

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Pea (cock, hen, chicks)

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Peacocking

Sunderbans, West Bengal

One Claw Crabie

Calcutta, W.B.

Mynah

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Laxmi the Elephantine

Calcutta, W.B.

Cormorant Calling

Calcutta, W.B.

Kingfishing

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Indian Gehral

Bakahali, W.B.

Ocypod Red Crab

Kathmandu, Nepal

Crazy in the Coke-o-Nut

Love,

FaerieCat

New Puri Year

2010-05-27T09:27:00.007+03:00

First new years with Marco in Puri. Just us. Quiet. Peaceful. Sexy weather.

Konark, our old friend/fruit seller. Lady to be reckoned with.

Aria, another old friend/lifeguard/provider of all things necessary for a good vacation!
This was when the sensors on my camera, coincidently or not, on the last day of the year, failed completely. A new beginning for the camera,a new beginning for me. We spent new years just the two of us with a fire on the beach, cooking fresh fish in the hot sand, drinking old monk, and counting the stars and our luck at being alive on such a beautiful night, and on such a beautiful planet.

I know its a bit late, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last Shoot in Cal: Kanishka Sarees

2010-04-21T16:15:00.005+03:00

What a day and a night and a day it was! One of the toughest shoots I've ever had, and I surely could not have done it with the greatest assistant a photographer could ask for - Hojo and then later on in the day Priyama Barua. Great, deep and humble thanks go out to the two of them.

To Priyanka and Prateek (of Kanishka, Kora and Experimenter fame) who gave me the opportunity for such a massive undertaking, bringing these clothes to life almost killed me, but was such a darn pleasure, I would do it again in a heartbeat!

The models were amazing, Debjanee Chakrabarti, Tina Mukherjee and Suchira.

Here is a select selection of photos from the day for the 4oth Anniversary of Kanishka Sarees. Kudos and congratulations to them for making it this far, chances are, they're gonna be around for another 40 years (thats if global warming doesn't take care of us all before then).

And soooo, on that happy note, here we go!

Tina Mukherjee

Suchira
Debjanee Chakravarty

For those of you who have liked what you've seen, drop by their store and see why Kanishka Sarees has become a household name for Sarees NOT meant for wearing at home! Their stuff is stupendously beautiful and one of a kind, making even the most unshapely and worn out lady look like a million bucks-without spending a million bucks.

You can find them at 2/1 Hindustan Road in Gariahat, Calcutta or contact (the fabulous) Priyanka Raja at priyanka.raja08@gmail.com.....you'll be glad you did. And if you're wondering, you WILL be able to find the new summer collection of Kora when you visit, so take your aunties, take your grannies and take your second-cousin-sister-twice-removed, there's something for everyone!

Love to all, and back with my India Tribute post soon....!

xoxo

Birthday Space @ Amoda

2010-03-25T15:38:00.009+03:00

Happy Berthday Monica! To celebrate the grand 3-.... (!) I-really-shouldn't-say birthday of lady Moni, our very own SPACE put on a stellaaaa performance at Amoda. That night was a bit disastrous for me, photographically speaking. My camera (as mentioned in my last Puri post) was in for servicing and so I was given another camera in replacement. The 400D was going to be my vessel of expression that night and after playing with it for a little while I was geared to go, I just had to charge the battery...

..(cut to) Amoda...

The energy is nice, people are flowing in, drinks are being drunk and I'm ready to start shooting as the night goes into first gear..

Camera on, finger seducing shutter, but oh wait! THERE's NO BATTERY! Where is it? You guessed it, its still sitting at home, charging away to alkaline heaven. So, needless to say, I'm bummed. Now you tell me something, what would this world be without friends? Needless to say, that night the Red Bantoo came to my rescue. Having had his fill of shooting that night (it was a busy one with several concerts on) he lent me his camera and with that a huge sigh of relief and a waaaaaave of love for sweet Bantoo.

So without further ado, I'd like to present SPACE featuring Tritha Sinha (of Black Coffee fame), Ritika aka Riz (of Maddening Talent Inc.) and Ale aka Valda Baba (of Casa Italia Lovin' Society), with guest appearance by Ritwik....(guys help me out here..)

Adrien in Action

Birthday Girl Moni in the Back, and hey! its Bantoooooo!

Hope you guys like these photos.

Back with more!

Last Tripping with Marco : Meghalaya + Assam

2010-03-23T18:53:00.010+03:00

So as the title suggests, this was our last 'tripping' together in India....and I must say a FINE way to delicately close a great chapter of our lives. We managed, for a change not to travel in the worst possible season, but in a period laced with few tourists, good weather (aka no rain) and cheaper (relatively) rates for us. In case you're wondering whats up with all the rhino's and elephants, we started our journey with the Kazi Ranga National Park in Assam, which was a solid 12 hour journey by road from Guwahati. Well worth it, I might add since I got my first taste of the wilderness with what seemed like a late evening lined-with-fatigue-apparition of a HUGE tusker on the roadside. Now mind you, the Kazi Ranga National Park has the unfortunate national highway running right through it, and even more unfortunate for the animals is that they dont read signs, dont give a damn about borders and fences and migrate as freely as man allows them too, and in this case, through the national highway that connects Assam from the North East corridor to the West. We took two 'safari's', one a jeep safari where we saw many turtles, langurs (monkeys), wild buffalo, deer, wild hogs, wild fowl (vivacious and colourful) and tons of amaaaaaaazing birds and then a second safari starting early morning on elephant back. With the jeep safari you are forced to stay on the marked roads, from where actually you dont see much, but with the elephant safari, you are able to go deep into the elephant grass (as tall as....you guessed it, elephants, and understandably the tallest grass in the world) where if you're lucky (or not, depending on your fate), you might just spot a tiger. Have you ever seen that video on youtube of a tigress emerging from tall grass, out of what seems like NOWHERE to attack the cameraman sitting on elephant back and then the film goes black? Well it took place in Kazi Ranga, and our guide had the fortune of being there when it happened. What makes the tigers in the Sunderbans different from the tigers in the North East is that the latter are not man eating, and only attack if provoked (which this tigress was completely, having her cub stungunned and taken away just the day before, she was understandably pissed), whereas the ones in the Sunderbans, if youre unfortunate enough to meet one, will most likely attack, kill and eat you.

ANYWAY, on that happy note, let me move on and tell you about the second leg of our trip which took us from Assam to the magnificent state of Meghalaya, where, if I must be honest, makes you feel like you are in the furthest place on earth from India. We travelled all day and almost all evening till we finally reached Shillong from where we headed south to a place called Cherrapunjee (which I MUST mention, like any good travel writer would, receives the MOST amount of rainfall per year of any place on this planet). This was where Mauro, met us and mind you, for a change, we DIDN'T go in the worst possible season (ref: Kerala in November aka MONSOON SEASON). Cherrapunjee is also known for an incredible natural/man made phenomena that I have ever seen and experienced: The Living Root Bridges, which as suggessted by the name, are bridges desgined by man and exquisitely crafted by nature, made of living roots. It was a holy pilgrimage for me, since these are the things I need to see in this world that a.) makes me believe in 'god' and b.) keeps me curious about all things Natural. The bridges were crafted almost 200 years ago out of rubber trees that grow in abundance in the region. In an area which plays little or no governmental part, the root bridges were designed by local tribes living in random, remote and in deep parts of the forest, in practically inaccessible to the outside world (until a series of stairs, approx. 5000 were built leading down into the valleys AND which of course we had to take to reach anywhere...more on that later) to connect one hill to another for trade and crossing of the rivers. Also, and later on steel rope bridges were built in parts where the living root bridges failed to serve their purpose and started to become too dangerous to use.
So now, that I've shared many words with you, I'm pretty sure you've either skipped passed all this or you're ready to skip past this and get to the photos.
One last thing, the photos at this point are in no particular order since I was shooting film the whole time and in my editing process failed to put them in chronological order, and since I'm without time, and paying through my nose (approx Rs. 180/hour for internet), here in Kenya (oops, did I forget to mention I'm no longer in India?!). Yes, Im in Kenya, and I should be posting on Kenya, but alas, such that is life, I need to (at least virtually) finish one chapter before I begin another...
So here we go...!

Mauro Furbetto Mambretti

Prithviraj - the Elephant

Can you see the little turtles on the branch in the water all lined up? No? Well neither could I at first, then it was ALL I could see, like 50,000 of them in 1SqKm!

More later from New Years in Puri, Space @ Amoda + Live Music by the Real Ones and much more! Stay tuned friends and followers! : )
Love,
R

New Puri Year

2010-03-22T19:22:00.000+03:00

First new year celebrated with Marco, quietest new year ever, fire filled, ocean filled, shrimp filled, and quiet filled wonder where you say 'ahhh THIS is India.'

Who remembers Konark from previous Puri posts?

And Aria?

Completely by coincidence (or not, depending on your views) my camera stopped function on the last day of the year. These are the last two shots I took with it before I had to give it in for servicing of the sensors, as you can see, I was capturing only 1/3 of every frame, but managed to get these two really cool shots of our new year fire. On the left is Aria, our lifeguard friend who Marco has known for the last 10 visits to Puri who helped us with the fire and shrimp. It was an amazing night, under the star studded sky and with no one to bother us, not even scavenging dogs. We only realised it was the new year when the fireworks started to go off around us, and the rhum started to hit us.

Fire Faerie OUT!
More soon.
xoxo
Ro

A La Famiglia...Hesham Road

2010-01-04T11:20:00.004+03:00

We're a little bit of a mixed up bunch, so much so, that at times I'm confused as to who is related to whom and how. But it doesn't matter at the end of the day HOW we are related, just that we are, and that we like each other. Which is hard to find in families. Anyway, 'tis the season! And I'm glad once every few years, everyone can get together and enjoy a meal, a drink (or two, or three), some laughs and a few memories together. I didn't get a picture of everyone there, but it doesn't mean I like them any less, just that I wasn't moving fast enough with my camera!

Grannie showering her blessings..

Radha Auntie

Arup Jheta (though I've never called him that)

D Uncle

Cousin Aesha

Cousin Nandini (aka Nan, pronounced Naan {Americana ways})

Cousin Amrita (always with the eyes)

Mamma and the Pappa

Peace, Love and Seasons Greetings to All!

Rohini

Best of Kora

2009-12-10T12:45:00.009+03:00

Winter Collection 2009

Denise Ripamonti

Sophie Lasnier

Roshni Bose

Kora Festive Collection 2009

Tritha Sinha

Denise Ripamonti

Monsoon Collection 2009

Nilanjana Bose

Rai Ganguli

Love,

Kerala

2009-12-09T11:26:00.014+03:00

From Bangalore to Cochin to Alleppey to the Backwaters to Varkala to Kovalam and finally back again to Bangalore.

Words and story to come.....in the meantime...

Love,

Bustlin' Barkin' Brewin' Bangalore

2009-12-08T13:18:00.000+03:00

Hey ya'll. These shots are from my last trip to the (deep) south with Marco. We landed in Bangalore (now renamed Bengaluru, which by the way, no one is able to pronounce properly), without a plan, without reservations or even a faint idea as to how to get to Cochin (aka Kochi). With the help of some very kind souls at the airport we figured out our hotel for the night, our train to Kerala and a ride into the city all within an hour. So here are some shots of our Sunday in Bangalore, the greenest city I've visited in India. We mostly spent our day strolling through their Botanical Garden and a few other parks we stumbled upon. I fell in love instantaneously with the city's collection of diverse, giant and aged trees that were everywhere! The city is blessed with a fantastic climate all year round, combined with the (not so strict) maintenance and protection of the parks and gardens which results in a high level of ecological diversity, which is always good, good, great!

Back with more from Kerala!

Love,

Beautiful Jungle - In the Sunderbans with Adrien

2009-12-03T09:42:00.026+03:00

Lots of words to come...

Love,

Rainbow Child....Sunderbans

2009-12-01T09:55:00.009+03:00

Love,

Flutterby

2009-11-28T13:06:00.001+03:00

Words to Come Home to

2009-11-27T12:17:00.005+03:00

I'm back! I wish I knew where to start, the journey has been long, over many many days, yet, when I look back, it's a blur. Why does that always happen? One minute you're living, the next, remembering. I guess that's why photography is a medium that has become an inseparable part of who I am, and now, what I do. It's become the tool I use to keep my experiences in chronological order, a companion to my memories, always approaching, but never crossing that line of physical experience. Even when I was a youngin, I used to sit for hours with my family's photo albums, dating back to before my brother and I were even conceived of, to a time strangely relatable, always looking for the small details and clues, like, what time of the year was it when the picture was taken?, who are all the people?, who's making what fashion statement?, why is my mother laughing flirtatiously next to a man who isn't my father?, and such..surely, such questions a six or a seven or an eight year old shouldn't be asking, but that was just where those photos took me. It helped a lot that my family, going all the way back the last 70 years have continued to document the lives of their families and those around them with conviction, memories perfectly impressed onto paper, and subsequently, my memories. They have made me feel like I was there, that the image of my mother in those photos are actually me, that I didn't actually miss out on all those 'good old days'.

And now, here I am many many years later, having done a full circle from the city of my birth, to the desert, to the land of the tundra, and back again, in a short, almost 23 years. I came back to India, to Calcutta to add that meaning in my life which I was sorely missing living in Canada, to initiate the journey of 'finding oneself.' Of course, in this process, you must first thoroughly lose yourself, hit bottom, before you can pick yourself up, and start afresh. Now, 2 1/2 years later, I've chosen a career for myself (or was it the other way round?), my feet are planted firmly on the ground (most of the time) and I'm slowly moving towards the person I want to be.

Life is no cruel aunt, she has a wild sense of humour, full of irony, serendipity and drama. One only has to open the eyes we were born with, not the eyes we have learnt to see with, but the eyes we first met the world with and therein lies an understanding no priest could bless you with, no book could educate you with and no teacher to teach you with.

Which brings me back to photography, it has taught me to look out for those finely woven in details of life that we are forever too busy missing, capturing them not just with my camera's eye but also with my mind's eye. I see people through a filter, much like my lens, I hear echoes, voices and visions like the sound of the shutter dropping at the perfect moment, and I feel the pulse of life at my fingertips, every time I caress the power button. My photographic eye is discerning but never judgemental, timely but never disrespectful, and always composed in thirds: part vision, part subject, part detail.

Every place I have visited in the past two years, two months, two weeks continues to vibrate within me, and my vibration on each place can still be felt in the lands that my feet have traversed, until I complete nature's endless lesson of 'coming around, full circle.'

My body is still young, and my mind still fresh, but my soul has lived a thousand lives, each one a speck of gold in a ray of sunshine. All I'm really looking for in this life is to leave an impression of goodness, my role as catalyst repeatedly bringing people together is one of my life's obligations, one bestowed upon me from a young age and one I derive much pleasure out of..And one of difference, not indifference, a life lived with dignity and tenderness, humility and conciousness. To fight to protect the invaluable life on this planet, in the wild, in the trees, in the oceans, in the breeze. The more I live, the more I feel and see, the more I'm convinced that my mission in life is chasing me..to protect the planet that has been home to me, wherever I've lived, so graciously and so free..

Listen, Learn and Love always,

L'Albero della Vita - The Journey Of...

2009-11-27T10:22:00.018+03:00

A selection of photos from my continuing documentary work with the Italian NGO, L'Albero della Vita (ADV), here in West Bengal, India. They sponsor underprivileged children in many parts of West Bengal, ranging from Mirik in North Bengal to small centres in South 24 Parganas. The lives of these children get more difficult as they get older, many of them facing challenges in life starting from a very young age. Exposed to disease, death, famine, abuse, natural disasters, poverty and other tribulations has made these children the prime focus of ADV's mission to provide a better life for them. A life lived with respect to their basic human rights; education, health care, food, shelter, emotional security and stability, as well as a life lived with dignity. All of the children you will see photographed come from marginalised communities, such as the Adivasis (tribals), Nepalese and Muslims, most of them a part of the ADV sponsorship program. Born into a fate of hardship, the lives of these children are continuously improving with the guidance and cooperation of local partners, local communities and the parents & guardians of the beneficiaries. ADV continues to be an integral part of the lives of the children, reaching out also to their families through different projects such as microcredit, vocational training in farming & tailoring, a mobile health clinic and water & sanitation. I am so proud to work with them, travelling across West Bengal, documenting the lives and faces of the children, and am forever indebted to the many rays of sunshine that have been all the children I have met and gotten to know over the last 10 months. Despite all the setbacks life has thrown at them, these children are some of the most gracious, hard working, spirited and thoughtful creatures I have ever come across. They are a part of a special generation of youth, who are on their way to bringing the planet back from the brink of self-destruction by applying their natural sense of being, embodied in an ancient knowledge of truth, kindness and peace. These children will determine the fate of our civilization, with either a desperate revival of it or its complete demise.

Feeding the children..Rui fish

The Farm Project, involving some of the families of the children..

Harvesting of Rice - the old way..

Fun! Mirik

The School Built by L'Albero della Vita and Manos Unidas (Spanish NGO) - Dhupguri

Calcutta Muslim Para

Words to come..

love,

Gujarat met Bombay En Route La Bella Bambina

2009-10-18T12:14:00.008+03:00

I'm in Bombay!

At the Taj - Photo by D

Little One, Ina

Not so little one...Do the Dew!

Belle Sorelle, Ina & Mallika

3rd Pasta

So sorry I've been so scarce. I've had some serious anxiety regarding the stealing of photos, copyright, and trust amongst 'friends.' So bear with me while I sort through the garb, and I'll be back with more photos from the Sunderbans, Kerala and a concise series of images from my trips to the school in Dhupguri.

Peace and Love,
Ro

People! Put Your Party Faces On!

2009-08-20T19:46:00.005+03:00

Gay Pride 2009

2009-07-22T00:05:00.005+03:00

Love,
R

The Trip to Puri that Finally DID Happen

2009-07-07T09:45:00.008+03:00

Photos Now, Words Later

Konark Sun Temple (Warning: Erotic Images Ahead)

Love,
R

Black Coffee Acoustronix

2009-05-19T12:43:00.006+03:00

Told you I'd be back soon..and how!
I'd like to introduce Black Coffee Acoustronix, an incredibly talented, professional and stellar musical ensemble by Mayookh Bhaumik, the mastermind behind Black Coffee. Together with Tritha Sinha, Ghatam Somnath, Joy B and Tapash Roy, Black Coffee is probably one of the most original and inspiring bands I've ever heard. Alongside their mind blowing live shows, the energy they put into their music is probably the most entertaining this city has ever experienced. I hope you (especially Tritha & Mayook) like these shots..
Next time, I'll make sure to shoot the entire band!

Love,
Ro

Bam!

2009-05-12T22:14:00.008+03:00

Yes, so fast, so good!
The Flower Market
Calcutta in the Rains!
AND
War of the Worlds: Nature vs. Nature and Man vs. Nature

Giant May Flower (Gul Mohar) Tree struck down by lightening.
Workers, young and old, systematically hacking it to pieces..
Therein lies the Circle of Life.

At the Lakes, post storm with Niko, Shaswaty and Alaric

A Kingfisher Bird! I hadn't seen any at the Lakes till yesterday, I think the rains brought out the best.

Giant Escargot. I had to stop Alaric and Niko from starting a BarBQ a la Escargot for dinner.

Fun with Alaric on the terrace..he spies with his little eye...me!AND lastly, I spy with my little eye, four pluckable mangoes!

Back with Black Coffee. Stay tuned.
Love,
Ro

A Croc Pot to Dish

2009-04-28T12:10:00.008+03:00

Its been a month of heat, humidity, translations and editions, power cuts, printing and, mounting, planes and buses, red bananas, yellow mangoes and green coconuts, midnight bicycle rides in the rain, midday bicycle rides in the blistering sun, raging tides stealing slippers and hair ties, enchanting gypsy children with beads, rooftop dinners on the sea, shore temples and the smell of the sand and sea, not to forget the crocs and alligators, pythons and tortoises, birds and species so fascinating to me..so here we go, starting with my trip to Tamil Nadu and more to come as I keep on updating you on my days of folk lore..

En Route to Pondicherry

We've Reached! Pondi!

Laxmi!

The Sweetest creature with cut tusks. Tsk tsk.

Around Pondicherry

My Boys and Travel Buddies: Alessandro, Laurent, Marco

Travel Buddy Extraordinaire: Niko!

Riding Through the Villages on our new Wheels!

Rising Tides

Waning Moon on a Palm Stretched Night

Dinner on the Sea in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Reflection of the Sea in Mahabalipuram and the Shore Temple in the Distance

Lunchtime

Experimenting

Manga Niko

Auroville

A Solar Cooker

In and Around Auroville

'Please Don't Smoke in Front of Clothes'

Happy Hungry Marco

Building a Funeral Pyre

From the Crocodile Park near Mahabalipuram

Photos around Cal taken in the last few months..

Marco at the Maidan playing football

Shots from North Calcutta

Mission

I'm relieved to finally have all these shots up, its been a long time coming...As I've been going through my body of work getting my portfolio together, I realise more and more that I hardly have any shots in and around Cal that do me any justice as a photographer. This Friday, my good friend Alaric who was in University with me in Toronto is going to be arriving in Calcutta, so I'm going to take this opportunity to get to know the city better, while showing Alaric around, through the lens of my camera...I also can't wait to visit the Botanical Gardens and Kuma Tuli again and to finally finally finally make a trip to the Planetarium, Indian Museum, and the many ghats in the city. I know its the typical touristy thing to do, but I'd like to also understand why people are so attracted to this city...and maybe in this process it will also help me understand why I too was compelled back here in the first place...
So with that said, I'll be back with lots more photos soon!
I'm also really hoping to catch a break in the next month or so with my photography. I've been putting my work up for the first time in my life to a public audience and to fellow artists and photographers, which is nerve wracking but crucial in my growth as a visual artist. I've been a part of a great community of budding artists, participating in two different art collectives and one shared exhibition with Shaswaty my new partner in crime. I will also be traveling around West Bengal for about 10 days this month as a part of a team photographing the children that attend the schools that L'Albero della Vita (Marco and Ale's NGO) support. Its going to be an incredible experience I know, lots of learning too cause I will be working with a REAL professional photographer.
If you like what you see on my blog, this is just scratching the surface of what I can accomplish as a photographer. If you or anyone you know are looking for a fresh, young, and promising photographer for commercial, fashion, urban, social and environmental contexts, feel free to contact me. I come at very reasonable rates, I'm willing and more than able to work under extreme conditions, AND I travel anywhere, anytime.

So with all that said, I hope you enjoyed this last post!
Until next time,
Love,
Ro

Simply Elementally

2009-04-06T20:38:00.008+03:00

This post is the continuation of the last...though weeks apart...I thought I should try a new tactic of building suspense. It probably didnt work, but no one needs to know these things for sure when youre in the wide world of webs.

So here we are in the Rock Garden near Darjeeling, and some terribly sweet monkey shots, I mean, come on, who can stop themselves from 'awwwing' at our adorable and incredibly similar primate cousins?

Anyway, I'll start with a young Monarch Butterfly to ease you into your state of induced mushiness for the following 3 minutes..

I want to start a photo series on the cutest street dogs ever.

Precisely.

Couldn't resist putting this up. Photo by Marco

Reminds me of my brother and me, one hanging on by the feet, the other hanging on by hand.

For Mauro.

And I'm back to the roots of it all....that's all for my photos from the north. A month late with this post, but better late than never is my scapegoat mantra..

Going to Pondicherry this week. 'Modelling' for Kora again, too. And my first exhibition in May. Shaswaty's birthday tomorrow. Aanndd, the full moon is upon us. I'm preparing for the madness.
So from now on, the camera is my Siamese twin - attached at the head.

Stay tuned love bugs.
xoxo
Ro

'Cause I Really Like Trees and Flowers (incomplete editon)

2009-03-24T20:58:00.010+03:00

Whatcha gonna do about it?

No digital corrections on any of these shots.

From the Ganga Maya Park in Darjeeling:

Crazy turquoise coloured spider that landed on my head and slowly made its way down my face and onto the ground...Best shot I could get..sorry little guy..

More to come from the Rock Garden, and shots around Darjeeling.

xoxo
Ro

Crawlers

2009-03-21T13:14:00.001+03:00

Football at the Lakes and a Trip to Puri that Didn't Quite Happen

2009-02-26T18:56:00.011+03:00

UPDATED!
So, you must be wondering about this 'trip to Puri that didnt quite happen.' It probably wont take me as long as our travel time, to tell you what happened on our 'quick' weekend getaway (but I wouldnt bet on it).
The drama began Friday evening, where us 5 hyper travellers-Alessandro,Mauro,Denise,Marco and me started off in Howrah Station. Now there must've been something strange in the air, and maybe we should've taken it as a clue from the universe, because, between 4 Italians and 1 Indian, we were all there almost 45 minutes before departure time. And maybe you're just passing by this blog and you dont know my friends or me, but we are always ALWAYS late. Not something I'm proud off, but I presume we were all a clan of turtles in a past life. And in any case, I blame it on our genetics.
We're at the station, waiting for our train, when we hear that our train is late. No problem, we can wait a little, with just the thought that what awaits us on the othersid of this night is delicious seafood, sandy beaches, stupendous breakfasts, crashing waves, refreshing salty air, and a whole lotta sun.
When the train pulls up-only 15 minutes late, we climb our excited little feet on board, and only when we are settling into our seats do we realise that-we're on a train bound for AHMEDABAD! Now, I know for sure my Granny would be more than happy to receive a surprise visit from her second youngest grandbabe, but lets face it, 5 of us? So we grab our stuff, head for the RIGHT platform (thanks Ale), with hope in our hearts that the Puri Express hasnt left already. To our rather (premature) relief, we find the train hasnt even arrived yet. So we're chillin, laughing at our luck, when our train to paradise pulls in. As we (once again) clamber on board, Marco asks me "Ro, do you have the camera?" "No, you have it." "No, I gave it to you!" "Rooooooooo.."
So off runs Marco, retracing his steps, back to the first train (once again, thank God, the train hadnt left yet), and somehow, the camera was still in the same place MARCO had left it.
He gets back, camera in hand and we nervously laugh, we shake, we wonder....'Ok, what's next?"
Here we are, 5 worked up city dwellers, just looking for some 36 hours of peace and fresh air, on a sandy beach in Orissa. We thought we weren't asking much, but apparantly we were....we found that we actually had to DESERVE this trip.
With everyone else still high on adrenaline, I was falling asleep in my top bunk, already with the scent of the sea and the salty mist in my face.
7 am the next morning, I awake to what I thought was Mauro uttering some sort of terrible prophecy, about how our train had to switch directions (the opposite one) in the middle of the night, head half way back to Calcutta, and start again to Puri, and that we would arrive in approximately 13 hours. Umm, you want me to repeat that? No? Well I had to hear it three times, make sure Mauro was really AWAKE when he told me, to believe him. Oh yea, and he also mentioned something about a place called Raoukela (pardon the spelling). I practically leaped out of my top bunk, waking everyone, to utterances of complete disbelief.
We had stopped somewhere (turned out to be THE Raoukela, again, not a prophecy), where we got news that another train, the Commandrel (again,spelling) Express to Chennai was going too too fast, derailed and subsequently a huge huge mess (this is why I say a little prayer before shutting my eyes on every train journey). Since our train to Puri ran along the same railway line, we had to be rerouted. Unfortunately, we realised later, that was why our train was late coming into Howrah the night before, and even more unfortunate, no rail authorities had the decency to inform their passengers of what had transpired. Though, what to do? Yey hai India!
So where was I? Oh yea, Raoukela. Steel Town. Last big station before Mother only knows where. Now, tell me if this isnt all a master plan, when in fact, our very own Mauro, WORKS for a STEEL company back in Cal. So we jump ship, no wait, we were on a train werent we...and make a decision that changed entirely our journey. Now, no point dwelling, its easier to just take what life throws at you, and go with it. So, here we are, in some (not so) random town along the border of West Bengal, Bihar and Jaharkand (now dont tell me there isnt a border between these places, I'VE BEEN THERE, HAVE YOU?!). Mauro whips out his Blackberry (which I think he hoped he wouldnt have to use) and called his contacts in R.kela. After breakfast, a very nice man, Kunal, picked us up and told us he was going to organise a car for us as soon as we decide what we want to do, an where we wanted to go. Luckily we found the only internet point in R.kela open at 8 in the morning, found the closest seaside town, (only) 600 kms from where we were. While New Friend Kunal, arranged a car for us, we found ourselves in a, what should I call it, a cluster, a village, a gathering, a collective of temples where we spent an hour before heading to.........CHANDIPUR!
So here begins our story, at the temple town, with Lord Hanuman, watching over us and having a good laugh at our expense, and 28 hours later....we made it...for how many hours on the beach? 5. The real kicker was that, this newly discovered seaside town, is actually only 5 hours from Calcutta. Talk about ironic.

Lunch time..

Anyway, sorry if I bored you to tears with that story, believe me, I was almost in tears telling it to you. As you may have noticed, I didnt take so many photos when in Chandipur, I was too busy allowing myself to be cooked like a roast in the sun..

Stay tuned, new post coming soon..
Love to the moon and back,
Ro

Love Thy Neighbour

2009-02-03T22:20:00.003+03:00

Flower Power

2009-02-03T19:06:00.011+03:00

Hey ya'll. It's WINTER TIME! And that means blossoms blossoms everywhere, not to be mistaken for bossoms bossoms everywhere, though just as beautiful! Its been a busy couple of months so I've been slacking with the posts, but here's one BIG one that will hopefully take you long enough to digest, giving me enough time to get another post up in the meantime. I'd like to tell you what I've been up to, but that would get boring..and who wants to hear about all that when you have pretty flowers to look at...? And so, with that said..here goes..

Sunday stroll through the Horticultural Gardens in Calcutta, a hidden jewel 2 minutes from my house..I can't believe its taken me more than 1 year and a half to visit this place..

Adding new members to our ever expanding family!

Not this little guy though, he can stay just where he is..

This is how I spent my Republic Day - at a Gun and Shell factory in a place called Ishapore.
Now this is what you call my type of ammo.

For comedic relief. Even nature knows how to have a good laugh.Never could I be as beautiful in life, as nature is in death..

On the Ganges..

Back soon,
Love'n a Million,
Ro

Kora by Kanishka's

2009-01-30T10:32:00.003+03:00

2 days+ 5 stunning pieces+ an amazing designer-photographer, with an even more amazing spirit+inspiring backdrops+me=one helluva photo shoot.
So I lent my sparks to the sizzling fire that is Kora by Kanishka's, a unique label designed by Shaswaty Nair, here in Calcutta. Raw silk, wicked cuts and collars, innovative designs, affordable prices and a torrent of passion makes this one of the best places to shop in Cal. Check 'em out at
Kanishka Sarees, 2/1 Hindustan Road....

One Love,
Ro

coming soon...

2009-01-24T11:22:00.002+03:00

....birds, snakes, new friends,
pens, promises, pixies, fixes,
faeries, kitty's, storms, stories,
anewhairdo, but where to
next....?
a new year, bubbling with ambition,
two new eyes scanning 1 in a million horizons
radiating with light of unspoken worlds
each soul beat, giant leap,
foot tap, finger snap, heart match
propelling me fast forward towards
this cataclysmic explosion of my six senses
though,
none more real than the past swinging,
pendulum-ing west,east,west again..
none more real than the tides churning,
the rock sitting,
an emotion hurtling against
my heart's brick wall

Last Post of the Year?

2008-12-29T11:55:00.002+03:00

Surfaced has an old roll of film. Dated with multiple exposures, and evidence of an ancient camera that leaks light, this roll was perhaps one of the last shot with my baby Pentax ME Super. Oh what I would do to have her rollin again. This was shot on my way back from Darjeeling in August '07 and out of a roll of 24, here you have 5 frames that are admissible, and one frame that's actually worth looking at. I know, don't say it, I have the makings of a sentimentalist.

Spot the web?

I spy......Daddy Bikram!

Thassall. Back with more from Benares.
Tomorrow is Mum's birthday, so lots to do, hopefully I'll manage another post before the year's end.
Peace and Love,
R

Old is New

2008-12-22T11:59:00.005+03:00

Birth Celebrations

My two favourite girls, Salima and Gayatree!

The Italian Chorus - Thomas, Anna, Mauro and Daniele

Anna!

After the Birthday Fritata, Parachute Joint, Cake and random bursts of birthday songs, this was the best part of the evening...the jam session a la Mathias on Tablas, Giuliano on Guitar and Ale on Keyboards.

Tritha and Daniele!

Mauro!

Lana's pilgrimage to the Botanical Gardens when she visited in June. I just found these photos on a long lost memory card. Better late than never.

Stay tuned, more to come..as always.
Seasons Greetings!
Love,
R

Happening in Himachal Part 1.2

2008-11-22T13:01:00.006+03:00

Northern Walking Part 1.1 - Agra & Himachal Pradesh

2008-11-20T16:30:00.009+03:00

Photos now. Words Later.
x
Ro

Following the Peacock Trail Part 1.2 - Gujarat

2008-11-12T13:10:00.010+03:00

It all stems from a childhood memory, followed by a dream that I have been chasing ever since..

Picture this: a nine year old, shuttled mindlessly from one relatives house to another...all the while yearning for a more tangible memory to hold onto..what are the chances that God was actually listening...? Immense I now realize, for when I spotted my first ever peacock, time stood still and something happened to me. From one rooftop to another, this mythical creature spread its wings and took a leap larger than any act of faith, leaving me with the feeling that a mastermind behind all the beauty in this universe truly did exist. Pretty big for a nine year old I know, but mother nature has this strange ability to unveil herself at the most impressionable of times..

Needless to say, my version of India has continued to expand with notions of what is real and mythical begin to unveil themselves to me. The journey is long and winding, and not without its mysteries. So when I heard the call of the peahens to their mates, immediately I knew that there was something more powerful in play..and heeding that call, was one of the greatest adventures I have taken so far..

Most of the following photos were taken within the surprisingly lush grounds of the Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, and of course, there was so much more to see and feel than just the hunt for the elusive peacocks. And so no one is disappointed, I'll tell you now that I couldn't get a single shot of the full feathered creature..but despite that, they did give me quite the show..

Green Chilly Parrot

Falcon Calling

Gourd Flower

Cannas

Cockscomb

Will be back with more in the next couple of days.
Still have three more weeks worth of a photo adventure to take you through..

X,
Ro

Going Nowhere Fast Part 1.1 - Gujarat

2008-10-11T22:19:00.017+03:00

Namaste to all you curious little cats, pixies, faeries, gypsies, rockstars and celestial stars out there! Some of you know, some of you don't know that I have just embarked on a journey to weave another patch into my meandering existence. My journey began seven days ago, and will continue for twenty-five more. Maybe one month isn't enough time to explore all realms of organic and inorganic possiblities, but I'm pretty sure I'm off to a good start.

Introspection and Objectivism have helped me in confronting a duality that has always existed in my life. This duality has reincarnated itself into many forms that have made me who I am today. A Gujarati Bong, born in the tropics but raised in the desert oasis of Dubai and subsequently relocated to a world utterly opposite from the equatorials of my life, to Canada where my experiences have offered me the individual grounding from which the seeds of my person have sprouted forth. From the blood that runs through my veins, to the contradictions and revelations that I endure in my daily life, I have been on a perpetual search for a balance between my spirit and the environment, wherever in this world I might be. My journey began over a year ago, when I upped and left Canada for some re-rooting in India. Now, once again, I am back in Gujarat, the land of my mother, to wipe away the dust that settles so easily here, on my past and for a glimpse into my future. Though having never really spent extended periods of time in the Dry State, in hindsight remains to this day, the only place in which I feel like I have a home. Wherein the city of Calcutta is the place of my birth, I have traveled many hundreds of thousands of miles around this planet to find that I am also very much a product of the intensely colourful and nearly sensuous representation of India's western-most state.

My ten days in here are nearing to an end and you better be damn well sure that I have lots of great photos to show for it. My family here is split between two areas (of course, there again the duality), Ahmedabad (now renamed Amdavad) and the university town of Vidyanagar. I had an amazing time photographing the people, animals, architecture, flora and fauna, in addition with documenting the most culturally vibrant celebration of all Gujarati holidays, a time when Gujarati's are truly Gujarati - Navratri, where generation gaps are done away with and everyone, boys and girls, dance for nine straight nights in the most culturally specatcular of gatherings you could imagine . But first, here are a selection of photos taken on the road from Ahmedabad to Vidyanagar, as well as photos from the garden of my childhood..

The following four photos should be viewed as landscape photos, but for some reason blogger has unfortunately uploaded them as portrait shots...

Thanks as always for checkin in, but since its super late and I'm running on empty I shall pause my notably neglected blog for some astral observations, aka sleep. BUT stay tuned as I will be posting many more photos over the next 4 weeks as I travel from Gujarat to Bombay, Delhi to Agra and finally to the Himalyas of Himachal Pradesh. And I promise to add the Navratri/Garba photos asap..and who knows...maybe a video or two...

Love and Light,