Andalucia (in detail) part 5

Hi folks, I've been away for a while, first in Vancouver and then in Spain (Madrid, Seville and Cadiz). It's been a while since I have posted, but now that I am back and back to making work, keep your eyes open for good goodies coming your way. Peace + Love

p.s. All the images from Spain were taken with a run-of-the-mill digital camera.

Andalucia (in detail) part 4

Andalucia (in detail) part 3

Andalucia (in detail) part 2

Andalucia (in detail) part 1

Free Tibet.

I went with my cousin yesterday to the Free Tibet/Anti-China rally in New Delhi. There were supposed to be masses of people, but this being exam time in the city, the young "activists" were apparently buried deep in their books. Nevertheless, the message was clear: Free Tibet.

Being not so "active", what was most interesting to me was the vast amount of security personnel flexing their collective muscle. Okay, I lied. What was really most interesting to me was the uniforms worn by the various state agents. Particularly the women. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture much on film.

Tube Lights and Plastic Flowers

It seems that no old school, middle class, Punjabi living room is complete without the following few items:

tube light
plastic flowers
wall calendar
doily
religious icon
stuffed animal on display

While the above photos taken in my thaiyaji's (father's, older brother) house only show one example of such Punjabi kitsch, I am sure I have seen many others, both in Delhi and in Toronto! Next time you are in an old school Punjabi home, check for yourself and let me know what you find!

Ludhiana, Punjab

These images are of a home I stayed in, in Ludhiana, Punjab. The kitchen, washing area and dishes are typical of older Punjabi homes, particularly in the pind (village). When I encounter homes such as this, any objectivity I hold as a photographer melts away, much like the homemade (white) butter I ate while I was there. Blessings for the butter and for the love.

Shivratri Parade

So the first morning I opened my eyes, err, I mean ears, in New Delhi I heard a LOUD kirtan (religious singing?) blasting from the mandir (temple) next to where I was staying. Little did my Hindu ass know, it was Shivratri, a festival in praise of Lord Shiva. Later that evening, as darkness fell, a massive, 2 hour parade (jhaluse in Hindi) was moving through the street in front of our house.

To me these images document the shiny gritty quality of the beautiful boys and the traveling lamp light that night. Unfortunately, Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati weren't as impressed!

Truth is God

Ya hear. But what of line, form, shadow, light, texture?

"Truth is God" is a phrase famously said by M.K. Gandhi summing up his spiritual philosophy and his search for "satya" or truth and therefore God. It is simple and succinct, much like these beautiful buildings I experienced in Chandigarh (India) at the Panjab University.

Both the Fine Arts Museum of Panjab University and the Gandhi Bhawan were designed by Pierre Jeanneret, a cousin of the more well-known Charles-Edouard Jeanneret or "Le Corbusier", the Swiss-French architect of Chandigarh city. In a country as old as India with layer after layer of ornamental architectural styles, Chandigarh is like a breath of fresh air. And somewhat literally at that. The city is also the first "smoke-free" city in India where smoking in all public places is banned.

Home: Lajpat Nagar I

I have begun documenting the spaces that I call home while visiting New Delhi, my place of birth.

The photos above were taken in my mama's (mother's brother) flat in Lajpat Nagar I, an old, crowded, bustling colony of New Delhi. The bright early morning light was accompanied by the familiar sounds of a city waking up - street vendors, temple calls, vehicle motors and horns, etc.

I have always been fascinated by interiors, architecture and the way people inhabit space. Taking photographs helps me better understand the relationship between objects, decor, building materials and processes, and identity.

As I have many places to stay in while in New Delhi, keep checking back to see more photos as I shift from home to home.

Jungle Eclectrik or "Letting Myself"

Evidence of another evening playing dress-up and taking photos. It started with exhuastion, boredom and confusion and then lead to a quiet moment that allowed for a creative flow. This is what resulted.

This self shoot was to old reggae classics like "Cherry Oh Baby" by Eric Donaldson and "Pressure Drop" by Toots and the Maytals. As always, once the creativity came, the music kept it flowing.

It is incredibly freeing to let yourself wear whatever you want and stand/pose however you want, without holding back. For me, this has always been a private pleasure, if I allowed it at all.

Society, having been formed on the axis of race/gender/class (...) restricts this expression or confines it to socially acceptable, disempowered performances of self. For me, in this environment, while exploring the formal aspects of photography, "letting myself" dress and play on my own terms has brought much sweetness to my life.

If you haven't ever done so, this week, wear one item of clothing or accessory that you own but never dare wear. Wear it at home if nowhere else and take a photo to remind yourself of your own beauty/power/sweetness, not circumscribed by anybody else.

Or ponder Tanya Stephens song, "What a Day":
"I'm tired of the hunger I see on people's faces/Tired of the animosity between the races/Tired of corruption in high and low places/And pricks with money but no social graces/Tired of being judged for the style in my hair/And the music that I listen and the clothes that I wear....What a day when...[self] love aint just a concept we preach..."(sic).