Letter from India

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Greeting Cards and Hand Writing - a thing of the past?

Once upon a time, not so long ago, people sent each other cards – for birthdays, Christmas, New Year, Diwali - all sorts of occasions. There were post cards when family and friends visited far away countries. In those days there was no TV, at least where I was growing up in India. It was so... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Materialisng garments

I am so used to going to my tailor, giving him a sample of the garment I want copied and calling that having my clothes tailored. But today, all that changed. I actually located someone who could make my clothes, not from a sample, but by suggesting a design, working on the concept with me, showing... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

O Calcutta!

In the old days, when I was growing up, it was called Calcutta. Today it is Kolkata, as the Bengalis have always pronounced it. Calcutta was the anglicised version, as the coloniser Britishers couldn't quite wrap their tongue around Kolkata. I spent three years in Caclutta at college and then... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Crevices

I have always like the word 'crevice'. I like the way it sounds and how it feels in my mouth when I say it c-r-e-v-i-c-e. Try it. I took these photos in my sisters mountain house.These crevices are on the wall that holds up the mountain, behind the kitchen. I have been going to the house since it... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Waiting at the railway crossing

Coming back from the mountain trip, we were just 30 seconds short of the gate that closed in front of us. Oh no, moaned Dinesh, our friend and owner of the vehicle that Mahesh and I were riding in. However, we spent the 30 minutes watching the action.I took the opportunity to record it. The... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Year End Magnificence

Bhowali, Saturday, December 25: There is frost on the ground. The sky is an unbelievable blue sky, with swiftly moving white clouds, sparsely spaced. The pines trees on the hill across the house stand smartly, and the brown ground below their feet welcome the sun that shines through the pines leaves... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Handmade in India

Two weeks ago, our friends Gouri and Ramu, who live in Bangalore visited us. As both Gouri and I love handmade things we made a trip to Dilli Haat, our local open market that displays crafts and craftspeople from all over India. That is where I bought the giant papier mache sun. Anyway, in the Haat... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Malaysia, Truly Asia

I use this title as that is how their tourism industry advertises themselves - come to Malaysia...truly Asia. It has a nice ring to it. I wasn't in Kuala Lumpur long enough to do anything substantial. But, a long time ago I learned that substantial is all in the mind (like everything else). So, I... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Here Comes the Sun

I couldn't resist it. It was right there, in the Orissa exhibition of Dilli Haat. I didn't need it, but it kind of called out to me. I think you know what I mean.MAde of paper machie, its kind of lights up the home. I liked the people at the stall where it was sitting. I thought of the state they... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Of Parrots, people and monuments

Earlier this week I took a walk in Lodi Garden, which I have written about before. Its a lovely Mughal garden in the centre of the city of Delhi. Neelam, my friend, walks much faster than me. I tend to do slow walking, enjoying all the sights, colours, etc. And, I had my camera. So, we agreed to... Sign in to see full entry.

About this Blog

I started this blog in mid-March 2006 when I moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a four-month assignment. In mid-July I moved back to India, and am continuing the blog.

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