Slice of Life

Beach Cricket

2007-02-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

We love cricket.

Castle by the Beach

2007-02-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

From dawn till dusk

2007-01-18T01:58:00.000-08:00

At Palolem, time comes to a halt. There is nothing to do except eat, sleep and get a tan. People sit by the beach, under the umbrellas throughout the day reading books and chatting with friends and loved ones. Pic taken in Jan '07.

Nirvana on the Rocks

2007-01-17T01:50:00.000-08:00

Lot of tourists swim to the rock outcrop in the sea. They sit there for hours looking at the sky and at the people on the shore. I did not get there as i am not a confident swimmer. Next time i get to Palolem, i am going to the rock, and will see what the world looks like from the top of it. Photograph taken at Goa - Jan '07.

What a tan ?

2007-01-16T01:43:00.000-08:00

Goa is the best place to get a tan. Palolem, Jan '07.

Fishing boats at Palolem

2007-01-15T01:37:00.000-08:00

Busy morning at Palolem. Fishermen try to make a quick buck by taking tourists on a short trip into the sea for dolphin spotting. The trip includes stopping at Butterly beach and honeymoon beaches, that are not accessible otherwise. Taking a boat ride is the only way to get there. The boat cruise costs Rs. 200 per head.

Beach Play

2007-01-14T01:29:00.000-08:00

Lots of children play throughout the day at Palolem Beach, Goa. Jan '07. Time seems to come to a stop here.

Trawler Fishing

2006-03-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

If you go on a sunset cruise in the Karwar Estuary area, you will come across several of these fishing trawlers. At this time in the evening, they are usually pulling the nets out of the water. It is really a site to see all the men pulling the net out in unison - look at the number of men - there are about 15 - must be a large catch. What is a really nice to watch, is the dolphins that hang around these trawlers. They come for the fish that they steal from the nets. Also the fishermen feed the dolphins at times.

Location : Karwar, Karnataka.

A regular to the Beach

2006-03-14T16:56:00.000-08:00

Morings are low tide time on Devbagh Island, off Karwar Coast. One can see vast patches of sand, which was roaring with waves the previous evening. This birdie comes in to eat all the little creatures that are left on the sand.

Location : Devbagh Island, Karwar, Karnataka.

Fishing Duo

2006-03-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

These fishermen pair get ready for their daily fishing chore. They remain in the waters for an hour and get about 10 fish.

Location : Devbagh Island, Karwar, Karnataka.

Zor Lagake ! Ailasha !

2006-03-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

These fishermen work in pairs in the mornings. They hold two ends of the net that is fixed to a stick. One remains on shore, while the other walks into the sea ( in low waters during low tide ) hold the net and then walks out to the shore. They drag the net along, so fish get trapped in it. The entire operation took about 1 hour. But, they caught only about 10 small to medium sized fish. It seems too less, but, may be it is sufficient for the family for the day.

I observed this fishing ritual on 3 mornings, and the catch was always 10 fish and nothing more than that. I felt it was too less for so much of hard work.

Location : Devbagh Island, Karwar, Karnataka.

Mussel Fishing

2006-03-11T16:49:00.000-08:00

Observe the fishermen pair on the shore now, dragging the net out of the water. Care to taken to ensure that the fish do not escape from the lower end of the net, which is open. The catch is usually about 10 fish.

The other fisher men in the background are collecting mussels from the shore. Their daily meal of mussels is a high prized delicacy in other parts of the country.

Location : Devbagh Island, Karwar, Karnataka.

Daily business on Ferry

2006-03-10T16:48:00.000-08:00

Ferry is a regular means of transpart in Karwar. This is a ferry transporting goods from one part of Karwar to another. Water is a faster means of transport here, as the coastline is mountaineous with no roads.

Location : Karwar Estuary, Karnataka.

Beach Cricket

2006-03-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Well ! Whether it is the high mountain grass lands or the sandy beaches, Cricket is the undisputed sport of the kids.

At Karwar, Karnataka.

Fisherman get back with Catch

2006-03-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Look at the wonderful coastline, its beautiful out here. Unlike in Kerala, where the coast is full of coconut trees here, here at Karwar, you will find a combo of coconut trees and casuarina trees. Lovely !

And, this pic was taken just before entering Karwar city. I took this pic from top of a mountain - from the road. These fishermen are just getting back to shore after their daily fishing. It is an effort to pull the boat back into the shore - especially if it full of fish.

Location : Karwar, Karnataka.

Jungle Trekkers

2005-10-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Trekkers find their way to their destination with the help of a map and a forest guide. Bandipur forests and the other forest reserves in Karnataka, are excellent trekking havens for those interested in trekking and hiking.

Weeding the Fields

2005-10-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

The farmers in India depend on the monsoons to a great extent. Here, in Somnathpur, Karnataka, the River Cauvery flows supplying water for cultivation. In this picture, you see the farm workers de-weeding the fields.

Elephant and its Mahout

2005-10-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

The relationship between the elephant and its mahout can last a life time. Here, at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg, Karnataka, a mahout has brought his elephant to River Cauvery for its daily bath.

Fire Walking

2005-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Devotees walk on burning coal to prove their devotion to the local deities. This is practiced in many parts of South India and is a ritual done to appease Goddess Durga, Lord Ayappa and Lord Subramanya. I went for this Ayappa Puja that was organized close to my residence in Chennai. I knew that people are going to walk on burning coal. I thought there would be just about 10 people doing it, to my surprise..there were more than 100 devotees in all. All the devotees had a cold water bath, and lined up for the fire walking. They walked one behind the other…..and no one was hurt. One of the devotees walked with a child on his hands.

Kettuvellam

2005-09-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

Tourism is the main source of income for people living along the backwater zones in Kerala. Kettuvellam are a popular attraction here. Many tourists opt to go on a 24 hrs cruise in the Houseboats made of bamboo. This picture was taken in Allepy in the backwater areas, and you can see the man rowing the boat with the long casuarine stick. The boat moves very slow, which is the ideal pace to enjoy a trip in the backwaters.

Giggling Women

2005-09-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

Homes in the Hiamalayan villages are made of finely carved panels of wood, with stone slabs for the roofing. The women stay at home and take care of the household chores and the kids, while the men work as porters and trekking guides. Women in this region of the country are beautiful. This picture was taken in Dalmit Village, Uttarkashi District, Uttaranchal.

Fishing - Karwar Style

2005-09-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

In the backwaters at Karwar, local fisherman use really small boats and a flat oar..like the one in the picture. They catch fish with a thread that has a hook at its end. Simple. Fishing net is not used. This fisherman is having a great time fishing here and is smoking beedi.

Maggi, Omelette or Chai

2005-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

All along the trekking route that leads to Har Ki Doon valley, there are several Maggi stalls such as these. You can buy Maggi for Rs. 20, double omelette for Rs. 20 and Milky Sugary Hot Chai ( absolute must in these places ) for Rs. 5.

Ferry with Ration

2005-09-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

There are a 5 islands off the coast at Karwar. Devbagh is one of them, and all the 5 have island resorts and holiday homes set up. This picture was taken at Devbagh Island, Karwar. This boat carries ration to the island every day, ration which includes diesel to run the generators.

Mithai, Rupiah, Kalam..

2005-09-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

When you trek through villages in Himachal, Uttaranchal or any other village in the Himalayan region, you will come across a lot of enthusiastic kids. They come running whenever they see a trekker, they will walk along with you for a while, asking questions like 'What is your name ? Where are you from ? Do you have Chocolates, Pen or 5 rupees? They will insist on seeing your camera and will pose happily for a photo.....and will want to see the image in the LCD..if you have a digicam. These children are truly happy, and it is seen in their smiles. This picture was taken in Osla Village, Uttaranchal.

Goats in a village

2005-09-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

People in rural India rear live stock - cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep for their milk, wool and even meat. Therefore, cattle grazing is the daily occupation of many people here. This picture was taken in a village in Karnataka.

Farmer with Bullocks

2005-08-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Agriculture is the chief occupation of people in India, considering 70 % of the demography is rural. Rice is the chief crop cultivated in the South. Farmers depend on the monsoons to a great extent, and after the 1st shower of the South West Monsoon, thry till the soil with their bullocks and plough, after which they sow the rice grains. This picture was taken in the vicinity of Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka.

Beautiful Women in their homes

2005-08-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

This is picture of a home in Dalmit Village, Uttarkashi District, Uttaranchal. Homes in this HImalayan village are made of beautifully carved panels of wood and the roofs are made of stone slabs. This stone slabs get hot really fast and do not lef off trapped heat easily, making it the ideal construction material in this cool part of the country. Women in Uttaranchal are beautiful and wear a lot of jewelry. They take care of children and also work in the fields. The men become potters and trekking guides.

Fishermen

2005-08-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

At Karwar, in Karnataka, the Kali river joins the sea and forms a shallow estuary, which attracts a lot of fish. The local fishermen just walk into the shallow waters with their nets, spread the nets in the water and leave it there for a while. After some time, they remove the net, and return with the catch.