Welcome Ishani !!!!

My second niece Ishani [ Another name for goddess Durga. It also pertains to a direction North East (or Ishan). Rain-bearing clouds that come from that direction ] arrived on January 26 2007 in Santa Clara. As my first sister put it, Ishu is indeed a very precious addition to our family.




Ishu with her mom my second sister, minutes after her arrival.




My first niece Aishwarya [ "Wealth" in Sanskrit ] from my first sister became a part of us on December 7 2002. Her birthday is just one day after mine.



Aishu as a 2 year old baby. She is now 4 old enough to cuddle her newly arrived cousin Ishu. God bless these two little gurls.

Bannerghatta National Park

I spent the Republic Day in Bannerghatta along with a friend. Last time I had been here was in May 2005 for a Nature Walk. The entire day which included the Safari, walk in the Zoo and a visit to the recently opened Butterfly park was worth the time and money spent.

I came to know of this very well maintained butterfly park through a

Blogger friend.

Aerial View

This was from the Air Sahara on the way to Mumbai from Bangalore on June 1 2006. My first journey on a plane.

Malur Kere

This is Malur kere or lake in Byrapatna village, Chennapatna Taluk. Shot in June 2006.

Rain-drop

I shot this in Lal bagh after an evening shower sometime in May 2006

Wonder la

The view of the Wonder la from the gate on an overcast evening of June 2006. I shot this when returning from my village. I was curious to see this place so I took a left at Bidadi. But I did not go into the water park as it was evening. I still havent gone there even after 6 months.

Palace Grounds

This was shot in the Bangalore Palace grounds during a Consumer Electroinics exhibition in April 2006.

Mr Browne !!!

A perfect Portrait shot. Shot in April 2006.

Bangalore Bamboos !!!

This was shot in Cubbon Park sometime in June 2006. Lot of these Bamboos in the interiors of the park. The sound which they make when they brush against each other as the wind blows is very pleasant on the ear especially when there is no noise in the background. Sometimes when the neighbouring Bamboo rub against each other, sparks are created due to friction and I read somewhere that it is these sparks which are responsible for the destructive forest fires.

From the Corridors

This view is from the corridors of the State central library. The state central library is situated in the historical building Sir Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall at Cubbon Park, Bangalore. This was snapped sometime in May 2006.

All withered

This rose seems to have lived its life of glory and is in the evening of its reign. I shot this in Cubbon park sometime in May 2006.

Solitude ...

I have been coming to this place ever since I was a small boy. This is the weather monitor field situated in the UAS, Hebbal campus. I snapped this sometime in May 2006.

Changing Colours !!!

A Chameleon in the Hebbal lake park. Shot sometime in May 2006.

View from the Top

This is Bangalore from the top floor of Manipal Center in MG Road. Inspite of the ever cropping concrete structures all across Bangalore, it still stays true to its tag of The Garden city of India, with its abundance of lush greenery amidst the city. The water body which is seen here is the Ulsoor lake. I shot this sometime in October 2006.

Short Sprint

Atletes during practise at the Kanteerava stadium in Bangalore. Shot in May 2006.

Uncertain Existence...

This was the scene next to my house all through the second half of december for these sheeps. They were fed well and being prepared for the big day Bakri - id which is the festival of sacrifice celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for God. On the very first day of new year within minutes after taking this shot, they were sacrificed. Seriously, I have begun to contemplate on quitting meat eating.

Enjoying the Springs !!!

This was shot in the Sadhashivnagar park opposite the Sankey tank, sometime in May 2006. This is a paid park , where a very small fee of Rs 2 is charged for maintainence purpose. The park is small with a large lawn in the center and a jogging /walker track around it. It has all the equipments for small children to play with , like the slide, see - saw & swings. A lot of stone seats are present for people to relax on. In the evenings the colorful fountain is switched providing a visual delight for the visitors. Overall it is a small & decent park where one can enjoy for a few minutes or hours.

Sweating it out !!!

This was shot in my village sometime in May last year. My uncle (mom's brother) and my cousin (uncle's son) are seen here working in their banana fields. After the Banana plant bears the banana fruit for 2 seasons the quality of crop diminishes. So inorder to prepare the fields for the growth of a different crop, the old plants are uprooted , piled and set fire ,burning it moderately so tat this can be used as manure at a later stage. Simultaneously the field is ploughed to make the soil loose and ready for sowing. The traditional method of using the plough and oxen are now being replaced by the tractors which saves a lot of time and energy. Village life in its pristine glory, Bangalore traffic makes me yearn for it.

Stoned Stairway !!!

A hillock in the midst of the busy city. This is in Lal Bagh. In the background the gopuram which is seen is one of the four pillars which was installed by Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore in the 16th century, to mark the boundaries of Bendakaalorru now Bangalore.

This snap was shot sometime in April 2006. Its a nice place to relax and take a stroll. A good place to escape from the traffic and pollution of the evergrowing city.

Happy New Year 2007 !!!

 

Wishing everyone a very bright & prosperous year 2007 ahead !!!