Skip to main content

Featured Post

Book Review: On Philosophising, Philosophers, Philosophy and New Vistas in Applied Philosophy, by Dr. Sharmila Jayant Virkar

A little bit of context before you begin reading this book review. I have recently enrolled for an MA in Philosophy at the University of Mumbai. Philosophy is something I have been getting interested in, over the past few years, as those of you who have been reading my blogs and Instagram posts would know. During the pandemic, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do next, and this is what I eventually came up with. It has been a challenge, getting back into academics as a student at this age, especially in a subject I have no academic background in. However, it has also been very exciting, especially thanks to my wonderful classmates (who, surprisingly, are of all age-groups, including some quite near my own) and my teachers, who have been very supportive and understanding. How well I will do is something that remains to be seen, but so far, I am enjoying this new journey and look forward to where it leads. Now that you know the background , you probably get an idea of how
1 comment

Faces in the Crowd: The Innocence of Childhood

'The Innocence of childhood' is a much used and cliched phrase, which barely seems to apply these days when kids seem to grow up faster than we can think... in every way. And then, to see a child, completely immersed in herself, enjoying herself to the hilt, totally unaware of those around her... is a sight that warms the heart! 


A few days back, I attended a dance programme at the temple in our complex. The performance was one among many, held as part of the temple's Shivaratri celebrations, spread over 10 days. My sister was one of the performers, which is why I was there, and as usual, I clicked away, having no eyes for anyone but her. You can see her photos on my Facebook page. I was waiting for her, later, when I noticed this kid in the first row, happily dancing by herself, trying to imitate the movements of the dancers on stage. 



Her mother and grandmother tried their best to get her to sit down. She did listen to them, but she was up again, dancing away, while the others in the audience looked on, indulgently. 



I have tried to capture the scene as it struck me.... the silhouette of the girl against the colorful background of the dancers. I don't know how well I have managed, but I hope these photos have brought a smile to your faces!



Labels:

Comments

  1. MridulaMarch 13, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    I loved it! Beautiful captures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. R Niranjan DasMarch 13, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    Interesting clicks!

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/03/river-narmada.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. KcalpeshMarch 13, 2013 at 11:08 PM

    Kids know no boundaries. They just do what they feel like :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 14, 2013 at 9:53 AM

      Absolutely, Kalpesh.... but they are growing up so fast, its scary!

      Delete
  4. TCPCMarch 14, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    oh wonderful!!! and that u were perhaps, the only admiring witness to it really is nothing short of bliss!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 14, 2013 at 9:54 AM

      Thanks so much Akila! It was bliss indeed! I couldnt help click the girl and ignore the dancers!

      Delete
  5. NishaMarch 21, 2013 at 12:31 AM

    This is an awesome post Anu ! So beautiful candid shots. :)

    I think we can see a dancer in her.

    ReplyDelete
  6. SudhageeMarch 29, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    What beautiful captures, Anu.

    This child must have "dance" in her blood. And for such children, nothing can stop them. How lovely to be at this age and dance without abandon, a care and only let the sound, rhythm and music speak to you. Alas, a day will come when the indulgence will turn to irritation and she will be shushed and forced to feel conscious. I know it sounds horrible, but I hope that child never grows up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarApril 1, 2013 at 8:37 AM

      Thanks Sudha! you are so right!!! this is why i sometimes wish kids would remain kids and never grow up! even though it does sound horrible :D

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment for me so that I will know you have been here....

Popular posts from this blog

The Havelis of Bikaner - A Photo Post

The lanes are narrow , twisting and turning amidst buildings old and new. Crumbling old structures with intricate workmanship stand side by side with art deco buildings, and more modern constructions, which follow no particular style. Autos, bicycles, motorcycles and vans rush past, blowing their horns as loudly as possible, while cows saunter past peacefully, completely unaffected by the noise. In the midst of all this chaos, children play by the side, and women go about their chores, as we explore these by-lanes of Bikaner, and its beautiful Havelis. Facade of one of the Rampuria Havelis
7 comments
Read more

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavantesh
5 comments
Read more

The Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
4 comments
Read more