Saturday, May 28, 2011

Tour de Paris


Last week I did many things for the first time in my life. Flying in a plane and visiting a foreign country were two prominent amongst them. Thanks to an academic visit I got a chance to see a place which I always dreamed of going. The place popularly known as the most romantic city in the world, the city of lights and also the birthplace of photography. Ladies and Gentlemen I present you Paris through my lens.



The trip was Paris was for a week which included the travel time. I was particularly excited to travel by air so that I can enjoy the view and click some aerial shots. I was particularly thrilled to see the skyline of Mumbai and Dubai, the change of colour of water of the Arabian sea when mumbai approaches (from sky blue to muddy brown!!), small green islands on the blue carpet of the sea, planes flying past you at the altitude of 40,000 ft, the snow mountains below and not to mention the clouds that the plane tears through.




The Eiffel Tower

Probably the most iconic monument of Paris is the Eiffel tower build by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. The 324 m tall iron tower was build as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. The view from the top of the tower gives a 360 degree panoramic view of the beautiful Paris city.


 






The Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral build in the mid 14th century is the church that is the official chair of the Archbishop of Paris. It is considered as the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and Europe.






The Louvre Museum

It is the amongst the finest and largest museums in the world. The museum of Lourve is housed in the Lourve palace which was a fortress build in the late 12th century by the French King Philip II. The famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci considered as the most famous painting in the world is exhibited here.






The Sacre Coeur

The Basalica of Sacre Coeur is a huge church build on a small hill in the art district of Paris known as the Monmarte. It provides splendid views of the city below.



The Monmarte

Known as the art district of Paris, this is the place where many painters and sculptors had their studios. Many popular faces in the art field like Salvador Dali, Amedeo Modigilani, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gough and many others worked here.





I am grateful to the Institut d' Astrophysique, Paris and specially to Prof. Vincent Guillet for this oppurtunity through which I have gained a lot of experience. Hope you guys like the pictures.


au revoir

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Bharatnatyam


Bharatnatyam is one of the five classical dances in India originating from the southernmost state of India, Tamil Nadu. Bharat Natyam is considered as the fire dance. The element it depicts is fire. The other dance forms depict the other four elements, Odisi (water), Kathakali (sky), Mohiniattam (air), and Kuchipudi (earth).

Now practiced all over India specially in South India, it is now the national dance of India. It is accompanied by the classical Carnatic music.

Bharatnatyam comprises of Bhava (Expresion) , Raga (Music), Tala (Rhythm) and Natyam (Classical Indian Music Theatre). Originally Bharatnatyam was performed in temples by Devidasi's ( Women in temples devoted to service to God). It was also the dance of the celestial dancers- the apsara's.


I got a chance to attend a Bharatnatyam recital by Mrs Arundhati Patwardhan, a well known Bharatnatyam dancer performing since 17 years. She is the disciple and daughter of renowed Bharatnatyam exponent Dr Sucheta Chapekar.











Click on individual images to see an enlarge view. A must for the collages.