Aamina Nizar

STEEL BLUE

2011-10-24T20:59:00.000+05:30

STEEL BLUE is retail clothing store catering especially to upmarket office wear for men and women. They also have a line of evening wear for women. They also take custom orders for those who want somethign specific. This picture if part of a collection I shot for the re-launch of their women's office wear. Do check them out. You can't miss their three storey white building next to 5th lane on Duplication Rd, Colpetty.

Haven't blogged recently as I have almost dedicated myself to commercial photography. Above is a little bit of what I have been up to. Travels on hold these days. However, not to worry, I will pack off someplace soon and grace this blog with more of my travel posts. Till then you will see me running around Colombo running after brides, models and products.

Bagels on the Go!

2011-08-14T21:07:00.001+05:30

Only at Coco Veranda!

Pecha Kucha Colombo

2011-07-24T00:41:00.001+05:30

I had a great time at Pecha Kucha on Saturday night. The event was held at the Warehouse Project in Maradana and showcased the work of eight extremely talented people. Artists, photographers, film makers, fashion designers and even a puppeteer, the place had them all. My personal favourite had to be Mika Tennekoon with her amazing drawings, each with a whimsical story behind it.

I'll update this post with a full list of the presenters once I get my hands on their details. This is exactly the kind of forum we need in Sri Lanka. It was brilliant to see how talented the people in our country could be, and as one of my friends said, each of the presenters was quite 'Epic!'

The organizers hope to have three more such events in the future, the next Pecha Kucha being held in October.

From the Pecha Kucha Colombo Facebook Page:

Pecha Kucha means 'chit chat' in Japanese.

"PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat", it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace."

Amali and James

2011-06-10T01:00:00.000+05:30

Amali and James

St Thomas' Church, Kotte

My first church wedding shoot.

The Yellow Line

2011-04-28T20:13:00.000+05:30

Remnants of the war. We can read them. Too bad elephants and other animals can't.

The Red Line

2011-04-24T16:34:00.000+05:30

A girl cycles outside the walls of the Nallur Temple

Cycling is the most common mode of transport here. All the women I saw were accustomed to cycling it. That's a rare sight in Colombo where it would probably invite cat calls from the city's ever present rasthiadu (jobless) fellows.

The Green Line

2011-04-22T11:09:00.004+05:30

Clothes line where Sri Lankan soldiers have dried their clothes.

Jaffna town has many abandoned homes because of the war. These once glorious houses were used by the LTTE when they were present in the town. They continue to be used by the SL army today.

These clothes lines will always see a bit of green.

Rio Ice Cream from Jaffna

2011-04-08T00:04:00.001+05:30

Mega Special only Rs 100/=

The Rio ice cream parlour is legendary in Jaffna. I was in Jaffna covering the Jaffna Music Festival and had been told that Rio's is a must experience in Jaffna.

We were leaving Jaffna on Sunday morning by the 10 am bus to Vavuniya. From Vavuniya we would catch the train back to Colombo. We still hadn't gotten the chance to try Rio's ice cream. So come Sunday morning, we packed our bags checked out and headed to Rio's for our breakfast of ice cream sundaes.

Now I am a huge ice cream junkie. Ice cream makes me happy. I never imagined that the cutest ice cream parlour in Sri Lanka would be found in Jaffna. Rio's is situated near Nallur temple and they make such amazingly creative sundaes. Carnival sundaes are so bland after this.

At Rio's ice cream sundaes are decorated with smarties, jelly, fresh mango, and little chocolate rocks among other things. The ice cream is made by Rio themselves and they sell their own tubs too. The most expensive sundae costs 140/= .

If you're ever headed to Jaffna Rio's is a must stop.

Roaming Lanka

2011-03-23T18:30:00.000+05:30

I haven't updated my blog in almost two months. Been terribly hectic since I got back to Sri Lanka. I hold multiple jobs. At the moment I am a freelance photographer and writer with Lanka Woman magazine. I shot my first two weddings a few weeks ago. Those went well. Still need to complete the albums. And I also teach history at my old school. From setting test papers to, writing articles to editing photographs I am pretty much swamped with work.

And I've also been travelling a bit here and there. Had an amazing time shooting for the Galle Literary Festival ( I went whale watching while covering the festival!!). Need to update the blog with those pictures. And this weekend I am off to Jaffna to shoot the Jaffna Music Festival. Pretty excited about visiting the place. Next time I shall post some pictures from my travels.

Till then!
:)

Lottery Blues

2011-01-24T22:52:00.002+05:30

Behind the Veil : Peek-a-boo!

2011-01-17T20:16:00.000+05:30

The bride awaits the groom to arrive to lift her veil at a traditional Memon wedding in Sri Lanka.

Colombo from the Sea

2010-12-28T23:07:00.002+05:30

I covered a wedding reception on the jetliner recently. This is a view of the city from the ship.

Mizz Nina

2010-12-25T01:05:00.001+05:30

Mizz Nina is a Malaysian Popstar who was in Sri Lanka promoting her album 'What you waiting for?'

Shot for Lanka Woman Magazine

Who Turned the Lights Off?

2010-12-18T00:25:00.001+05:30

Sarah Kellapatha plays the role of an HIV victim abandoned by all those she trusted.

Forum Theatre performance by Beyond Borders. More on the play in Chavie's post.
Lesson: Don't ask your friends for advice on contraception or sex. They don't know any better. Visit the doctor instead.

Wasana

2010-12-08T23:58:00.002+05:30

in a designer outfit by Hafsa Ameer

More photographs in my Flickrstream here

Flutist at Prithvi : Suhas Joshi

2010-12-04T14:52:00.000+05:30

Prithvi Theatre Cafe, Juhu, Mumbai

For the many people who visit Prithvi Theatre, Suhas Joshi is an integral part of the ambiance at the cafe. The flutist is an architect by profession but music is his passion. You'll see him playing his flute there on most nights.He is an extremely talented guy and a brilliant personality to be with.

I Vow...

2010-12-01T21:05:00.001+05:30

At the Tomb of Salim Chisti, Fatehpu Sikri, Agra

People tie threads and make vows to the Sufi saint Salim Chisti. The practice is a little controversial as many people find it contradictory to Islamic teachings where the path to God is undeterred by saints, angels or prophets. If you need God, pray to him directly. No medium is required for your message to get across.

I strongly agree with that, however I don't agree with how people discount Sufism because of this. What they don't realize is that Sufism is the essence of Islam. Many people are Muslims today only because of the peaceful way Sufi saints preached the core teachings of Islam. Their lives inspire thousands of people, from all religions and their tombs are some of the few places where absolutely anyone is allowed entry.

Asleep

2010-11-29T00:28:00.000+05:30

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

...at the door. Alone with no family in sight.

AOD Design Festival 2010

2010-11-22T00:20:00.001+05:30

Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka

Chennai : Aerial View

2010-11-11T22:50:00.000+05:30

Chennai has certainly seen a lot of changes in the last few years. It's amazing to see how much India is growing now. One thing I did notice was that cities everywhere are beginning to look a lot like each other. When I visited Jaipur last year expecting to see its famed pink walls and quaint buildings I was shocked to see how urban it had become. I hope cities manage to retain a little bit of their local heritage so that it would be a different experience to visit the place. Or they'll all be the same which will be pretty dull really. I'm not against urbanization. We all need a place to live and good infrastructure. Just a little bit of diversity which will make urban landscapes distinctive and a treat to visit.

Patriot

2010-11-03T22:26:00.004+05:30

My wife or my Country?

A scene from the play Patriot by Beyond Borders on the 2nd of November at Bishops College Auditorium. That's Lasantha David playing the protagonist David Senanayake and Mayanthi De Silva as his wife.

For a review of the play check out Chavie's post on it. He basically sums it up.

The play tries to explore the concept of patriotism and how it plays out in Sri Lanka today. I used to call my self a 'patriot' when I was younger. I think the ideal is a little outdated now. I just believe humanity is above patriotism or nationalism. What about you guys? Would you consider yourself patriots and why?

Batman

2010-10-31T12:48:00.000+05:30

Aman Ashraff has an amazing collection of action figures. I shot a couple of them for him the other day. Batman will always remain my favourite Superhero.

Since I am back in Sri Lanka for good, am looking for some photography work. If you or anyone else needs anything please contact me. Drop me a mail at aaminanizar@gmail.com. I haven't gotten a new number yet. Shall post it once I do.

The Delhi Walla : Mayank Austen Soofi

2010-10-28T16:18:00.000+05:30

Meet an icon of Delhi, Mayank Austen Soofi, aka The Delhi Walla. If you need to know anything about this city just check his site or drop him a mail. For many people the sight of him roaming the streets (and sometimes rooftops) of Delhi with his camera is as integral a part of the city as one of its many monuments. His books on Delhi were published last month. Be sure to pick them up if you are planning on visiting the city.

Gulab Jamun and Jelabi

2010-10-25T13:16:00.000+05:30

Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Farewell India

2010-10-22T05:14:00.001+05:30

All foreign residents in India will be familiar with this little dark blue book. It is the Registration Report and Residential Permit issued by the FRRO (Foreign Regional Registration Office). It's the place all foreign residents need to register with upon their entry into the country. Three days ago, I gave up my residency in India had to return this book to the FRRO. I collected my exit papers and left Mumbai on the 20th of October. It pinched a little as gave it back. My three and a half years there have been more enriching than my words and pictures can ever express. I wish more people get to experience the things I saw, the people I met and the places I lived in during my stay in India. I will miss Mumbai the most and will hopefully visit next year.

I am back in Sri Lanka and am excited about getting re-acquainted with my country. There is so much I need to see and learn about the place of my birth and I am looking forward to it.

So SL, here I am!

Oh and if anyone needs a photographer who also has a degree in journalism.
Please send them my way.
I can shoot and write and don't necessarily need to mix the two.

:)

Malai Paratha

2010-10-16T01:19:00.001+05:30

Parathawalla Gully, Chandni Chowk, Delhi.

This crispy paratha is filled with sweetened Malai (the thickened cream of milk), raisins and nuts. It is absolutely divine and one of the most memorable things I ate in Delhi.

Qutub Minar.....by Night

2010-10-04T01:38:00.000+05:30

Delhi, India

The day I shot the Qutub Minar was the day the Ayodhya verdict was being announced. People were warned to stay off the street, schools were closed early, and I was given a strict warning to get back to the hostel by afternoon. Well I did, and then restlessness hit by evening. Didn't want to to waste a day in the city by staying indoors. So a friend and I decided we would go sightseeing anyway and reached the Qutub Minar just as daylight was dying. I'm kind of glad we went so late because I managed to get some great night shots of it. The airport is close by to the place and there are planes flying by every now and then. The shot above shows an airplane's path through the sky at 25s shutter speed.

Qutub Minar

2010-10-02T23:01:00.000+05:30

Delhi, India.

Just came back from Delhi today afternoon. Went there for a holiday. Some of my friends from Mumbai are now pursuing their Masters in English Literature from the University of Delhi. Thought I'd give them a visit and check out India's great capital.

I was there from the 23rd of September till the 1st of October. This is the week before the Commonwealth games. The previous few weeks also saw heavy showers and flooding. There was a dengue epidemic and the much awaited verdict over the Ayodhya Babri Masjid issue was supposed to be announced that week. The conflict over the mosque has been the source of much of the communal tension in India. My parents feared that I'd be stuck in the middle of some communal riot if the mosquitoes didn't get to me first. However, everything progressed without much chaos. And except for me nearly missing my train back and leaving my tripod in an auto rickshaw, the trip was brilliant!

Delhi is very different from Mumbai and has it's own charm. I love how you can stroll around the city and suddenly come across the ruins of an old Fort. I shall write more about it in my next posts.

That's a picture of Qutub Minar above. It's apparently the world's tallest brick minaret and work started on it in the year 1193. People used to be allowed to climb right to the top. However, after some people decided it was great for dramatic suicide plunges and following an accident involving school children in 1981, the public are no longer allowed to climb the minaret. It's a great place to visit though, and a must see in Delhi.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

2010-09-22T15:21:00.001+05:30

The BMC is the civic body that runs Mumbai. It is situated opposite the Victoria Terminus (presently known as the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus) in Fort. The Gothic style building was completed in 1893 and is one of the city's most iconic structures.

Mumbai Monsoon

2010-09-20T01:24:00.000+05:30

The flooded subway at Haji Ali

Raghu Rai

2010-09-15T11:16:00.001+05:30

Raghu Rai is arguably India's most famous photographer and is known for redefining the face of photojournalism in India. He is part of the Magnum Photo agency which was started by photographers Henri Cartier Bresson and Robert Capa among others. His work is extensive and he has shot the profiles of many of India's top personalities from Indhira Gandhi to Mother Teresa. He is also famous for his work on the Bhopal Gas tragedy.

He was at my college for a lecture. That's his assistant in the background. A lot of us photographers start as assistants to professionals in the industry. I assist photographer Ian Pereira in Mumbai now. It's a great experience and I'm learning a lot.

Minara Masjid

2010-09-09T23:36:00.000+05:30

Minara Masjid, Mohammed Ali Road, Mumbai.

Minara Masjid and the lane next to it is famous for an all night food bazar during Ramazan. These are pictures of the place from last year. I shot these two above around 5 in the morning just as the sun was rising. The place was shutting down for the morning as people have had their pre-dawn meal before the fast for the day starts.

Trident Hotel, Mumbai

2010-08-29T23:22:00.000+05:30

Took this shot while sitting on Marine Drive on a full moon day. The Trident was one of the locations taken hostage by terrorists on 26th November 2008. I will be leaving Mumbai in about 6 weeks. So I've decided to post more photographs from in and around the city.

Nasra

2010-08-20T15:17:00.002+05:30

Nasra is one of the pre-wedding functions of the Qureshi Muslim community in India. I am not sure if it happens among the other communities but I was really impressed that it happened here. On the night before the wedding, the bride-to-be has to read passages from the Qura'n in the presence of other women. This is to ensure that she is literate and educated in the religion. Illiteracy among women is still very high in India. I found it good that this tradition placed importance on women knowing their religious texts and encouraging literacy when for centuries, across religions, reading scripture was a male dominated domain,

We are now in Ramazan, the ninth month of the Islamic calender and the month in which the Qur'an was first revealed. The first word that was revealed to our Prophet Muhammed (sal) by the Angel Gabriel was Ikra which in Arabic means 'Read!'. The Prophet was illiterate and could not read the words shown to him. However, he encouraged his followers to read the scripture themselves enabling them to keep it from the the control of any priestly class.

Ishan

2010-07-21T02:19:00.002+05:30

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Went for the Spice Festival at Green Path on Sunday. We saw the long queue for the coupon table and decided we'd rather have kottu from Hotel de Pilawoos. My best friend Heba and I are down in SL for the holidays and hadn't had kottu in months anyway. We met this little boy outside the place as we waited for the guys to make our food.

Ishan sells little keytag torches outside Pilawoos over the weekend. He then takes a late night bus on Sunday night to reach Hambantota by morning. He tells me that he attends school on weekdays and comes to Colombo over the weekend to make some money. It's his sisters birthday the next day so he's gotten her a cake and is taking it to Hambantota with him. He is fluent in both Tamil and Sinhala and is learning English as well. Apparently his house did get damaged during the Tsunami. In Colombo he lives at a house in Maradana. He was waiting outside Pilawoos for some 'Hajiar' to come. This Hajiar gives him money apparently.

I have no idea how far any of this is true but I'd certainly like to find out if there are more children like him in the city and how they manage to get by.

Something Relevant

2010-07-05T13:47:00.001+05:30

My favourite Mumbai based band. Something Relevant consists Aazin on vocals, Jehangir on drums, Stuart on Bass, Tanmay on guitar, Ryan on saxophone, Luis on keyboard and Aalok on tabla. They were shooting their music video at Zenzi and that's where I saw them perform.

Haven't blogged in a long time. I'm finally settled in Mumbai now. Moved into a flat with my friend Tania. Finally got the internet fixed so I can come online now. You shall see me post more often.

Edge of the Road

2010-05-14T13:40:00.003+05:30

On the road Mumbai to Goa

Sitting in Goa right now for a few days. Been shuttling from place to place the last few weeks and haven't really had the time to update the blog. I'm done with college now. Three years gone by too soon. Taking a break now and waiting for fate to throw things at me.

Indian Public Transport

2010-04-20T15:11:00.000+05:30

Rajasthan, India

Get Set...Ready...and Off we GO

Fatima Bhutto

2010-04-17T01:21:00.002+05:30

At the Mumbai launch of her latest book Songs of Blood and Sword at Crosswords, Kemps Corner. Fatima Bhutto is the niece of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. She blames her aunt for the death of her father and the book explores this as well as her relationship with Pakistan's most famous political family.

Mumbai University

2010-03-27T14:41:00.000+05:30

Rajabai Clocktower, Mumbai University, Fort

The University Library

Established in 1857, Mumbai University's Fort campus is a beautiful structure and they've maintained its original gothic architecture well. The clocktower is apparently modelled after London's Big Ben. The building adjacent to the clocktower houses the university's library.

Maach Bhaath

2010-03-23T22:33:00.002+05:30

Sohini's place, Kolkata,

December 2008

Craving for home made Bengali food. Fish is a staple in their meals and they make it in a variety of wonderful ways.

Maach - Fish

Bhaath - Rice

(In Sri Lanka we use almost the same word for rice)

Together II

2010-03-07T21:58:00.001+05:30

Juhu Beach, Mumbai

Took a walk down Juhu beach on a particularly depressing day some months ago. Came across these two.

Day didn't seem so bad after that. :)

Eric

2010-02-27T18:55:00.002+05:30

Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India

Manali is like the Goa of the hills. If you know anything about Goa it's this tourist hotspot with firangs (foreigners) from all parts of the world chilling out (sometimes for years) on its beaches. Sometimes you'll find more white people in Goan beaches than brown skin. Manali is Goa's up country counter part. It's scenic, cool in the summer, snows in winter, has great extreme sports camps and is flooded with tourists. Many Isrealis come to the place so you'll find plenty of Kosher restaurants as well.

The guy above, Eric, has probably been living in Manali for awhile now. He played a little song for us. Cheery lot, the people in Manali. Despite the commercialization, I miss the place. There's something very festive about it.

Ritika Mittal

2010-02-24T23:01:00.002+05:30

Ritika is a fabulous designer and has a wonderful collection of ethnic wear under the Mora label.
I met her at the Mumbai Kala Ghoda Arts festival two weeks ago where she had a stall. I couldn't stop admiring the funky sarees that were being sold under her label.

Kala Ghoda was a little disappointing this year. This is the only shot I liked from the entire festival and I think she looks beautiful.

The Nomad

2010-02-16T18:13:00.004+05:30

Keylong, Himachal Pradesh

We found this beautiful man sitting outside this tea shop near Keylong in Himachal Pradesh. He seemed quite the traveller and my Kashmiri friend tells me he belongs to the Gujjar tribe. Gujjars are an ethnic group found mainly in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
The Gujjars in Himachal Pradesh are known to be semi-nomadic cattle herders.

Gulzar

2010-02-02T23:54:00.003+05:30

Gulzar, famous in the international world for writing the lyrics for the theme song 'Jai Ho' from the film Slumdog Millionaire. He and AR Rahman jointly won an Academy award for the song last year. On the 31st of January 2010, he and Rahman were awarded a Grammy for the same song.

I got a chance to meet him tonight at Times of India's Aman Ki Asha Campaign. As part of the campaign they were staging Gulzar's 'Lakeerein' followed by a one man act by Pakistani actor Zia Mohyeddin.

Doorways and Arches

2010-01-31T11:14:00.003+05:30

Ranthambore Fort, Rajasthan

Ruined Brick

2010-01-26T01:10:00.000+05:30

Ruins at Ranthambore Fort

Honey Brown

2010-01-17T00:26:00.002+05:30

Ranthambore, Rajasthan

Dance at Chokhi Dhani

2010-01-13T13:37:00.002+05:30

Chokhi Dhani, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Rural Blues

2010-01-09T18:28:00.004+05:30

House in rural Rajasthan.

The rural countryside is scattered with pretty houses many painted this lovely blue.
I wonder if they hope to reflect the sky.

Misty Mahal

2010-01-06T21:01:00.004+05:30

Taj Mahal,
Agra, Uttar Pradesh

My new year was one foggy memory. It is the foggiest memory I have had in my life. I was standing in front of one of the seven wonders of the world. A monument considered to be the greatest testament to 'Love' and I couldn't see it!
This is exactly how it looked to me and the other visitors to the Taj Mahal that day. Visibility was at zero metres that morning. North India was suffering from a bad news year's hangover and the fog still hadn't lifted. Must have been one helluva wild party. Going closer we couldn't even make out the dome. So that was my first disappointing visit to the Taj Mahal. I have vowed to go again.

Sing a Song for Christmas!

2009-12-25T23:17:00.007+05:30

Went caroling from college. Was fun. Collected money to sponsor some kids from an orphanage.
I hope everyone has a merry christmas and a happy new year!
Spending the rest of my holiday in Rajasthan and Agra..
:D

Morning After

2009-12-22T22:37:00.003+05:30

Our room at Hotel Chandra Bhaga, Keylong, Himachal Pradesh.

One Track

2009-12-14T21:20:00.004+05:30

Shot at the railway track that leads to the Kanheri caves at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, Mumbai.

Eve Ensler

2009-12-09T21:02:00.006+05:30

Eve Ensler is the writer of the play The Vagina Monologues.
Her latest play I am an Emotional Creature had its world premiere in Mumbai recently.
She was at my college for a talk on her work and V-Day which is a movement created to fight violence and injustice towards women.
She was warm, funny and not the man-hater I expected. She told us that her attitude toward men had changed and she isn't as antagonistic to them as she was in the past. She's realized that men can help in fighting violence against women and be 'vagina warriors' too.

The Vagina Monologues

2009-12-06T23:04:00.008+05:30

The cast of Vagina Monolgues :
Avantika Akerkar, Jayati Bhatia, Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal
Dolly Thakore and Sonali Sachdev.

say it everybody:
"vagina.....Vagina.....VAGINA"

The Vagina Monologues is a play by American Playwright Eve Ensler.
It follows various experience that women go through from menstruation and sex to rape and childbirth (amazing how much our vaginas go through eh) through a series of monologues. Eve Ensler herself was sexually abused by her father and it is this experience as well as those of other women that has fuelled the various monologues in the play.

Mumbai has been staging the play for many years now. I went for its performance at Prithvi theatre recently. It was a bunch of us girls and one 6 5" guy who we thoroughly ragged through out the whole thing.

The first thing the audience is made to do is say the word 'vagina' loudly. Its a part of our body that is so vital to us and endures so much of the pain and happiness that makes us women, yet we rarely talk about it. Even when we do it is when using a whole bunch of euphemisms to refer to it. And another thing the play points out which is true is that women don't really look at their vaginas too often :

There is so much darkness surrounding them. Like the bermuda triangle. Nobody reports back from there. In the first place it's not so easy to find your vagina. Women go days weeks months without looking at it. Looking at your vagina is a full days work. You've got to get down there. on your back, in front of the mirror......it's exhausting.

Please do check more of what Eve Ensler has to say at TED talks here .

The play hits hard, though a little hard I thought around certain issues. I admire it for its openness and for addressing women's experiences in such a creative manner. And I'm grateful for the global movement the play has inspired and the efforts it has made through its V-Day charity.

Jayati Bhatia's performance as the 'Moaner' was amazing. She had the audience howling. However that was one of my concerns about the play. It highlighted the comical bits and underplayed the more serious ones. For a lot of people, the play was just kinky fun. Eve Ensler feels that making it humourous helps people digest it better. Which is true in a way, I just wish audiences will appreciate it for the statements it makes as well as its hilarity.

26/11 Mumbai Attack - A Year Later

2009-11-26T23:11:00.004+05:30

The Taj Mahal Hotel - Back to its former glory

Crowd gathers at the Gateway of India

Police Outside Leopold Cafe.
Security was tight during the 1st year anniversary of the attack.

Shashi Tharoor arrives at Leopold Cafe, Colaba for the first year anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Leopold Cafe was one of the targets of the attack.

Peace TV conference 2009

2009-11-23T22:48:00.007+05:30

A lot of you may have come across Peace TV while browsing through your cable channels. It's normally placed next to God TV and follows a bunch of other religion based channels. Peace TV, an Islamic channel is part of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and was started by Dr Zakir Naik. Dr Naik's forte is on comparative religion and you will usually find him stressing on the similarities in the concept of God between Islam and other major religions. While I don't agree with everything he says, his argument for the existence of God is something to read about.

The IRF holds a Peace conference in Mumbai every year which attracts around 100,000 people. I've been in Mumbai for the last three years and never really had the opportunity to attend the conference before. I had seen it televised live on Peace TV and it intrigued me to find out what really happens behind the scenes.

The conference was spread over ten days and and explored various topics like the concept of God and Creationism in Islam. They had a huge exhibition centre and food and trade stalls. Big surprise though. Only pure vegetarian food was served at the stalls. And how people think it is some God ordained edict that all Muslims should eat ten servings of meat everyday. Another stunner, the stage set décor looked like it was done up for some fancy light show. I was also slightly amused by Zakir Naik's entrance. He apparated on stage following smoke and beams of green light which I found a little too overbearing for a religious conference.

I attended the last day of the conference which was on Sunday the 8th of November. I was in time for the last segment of the day which featured Dr Zakir Naik speaking on 'The Purpose of Life'. This is generally chapter one in most Islamic textbooks. I pretty much knew the Qu'ranic quotations and Hadiths he was referring to so nothing new there. It was late and I was getting a little drowsy when the interesting bit of the conference started- the question and answer round.

This bit usually starts with someone sounding their proclamation of faith to the crowd and entering the folds of Islam. I had seen this happening on TV before and I was curious as to know how they actually did it. It's not as cultish as it seems and the sceptic in me found nothing untoward in the entire conversion process (as freaky as it may seem to many people).

Things got a little heated later when this girl from the audience asked Zakir Naik a question regarding his remark that college students these days studied degrees with no aim in life. He used the example as a way of stressing how important it was to first keep a target in mind and then throw the arrow rather than shoot the arrow and chalk a circle around it. Frankly I'm one of those aimless college students too, but then I have other things in mind for my future away from academics and didn't get too offended. She looked like she came to the conference ready for a heated discussion and he was at his condescending best. Anyhow she argued for a bit, got extremely flustered and left with a bang. My parents thousands of miles away in Sri Lanka saw it live too (they had no idea I was at the conference so late in the night and was actually standing next to the girl). A bunch of the organizers ran after her when I caught up I found them trying to calm her down. Anyhow she went home after yelling the words 'Im an atheist!' and I went home still loving God.

The funny thing is the previous day I met this bisexual, pot smoking, heavily tattooed and pierced Dutch guy who had taken a road trip from Europe, through Iran, the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan to India. He loved God, all religions, studied various scriptures and had praise for Islam. Strange how the world works eh..

Double Humped Camels of Diskit

2009-11-06T23:21:00.006+05:30

It's a little hard to imagine that camels exist in Ladakh considering that it is 18,000 feet above sea level plus is as freezing as ever. However these useful animals have helped man travel through the rough terrain and high altitides of the region.

They are known as the Bactrian Camel and what differentiates them from their Arabian cousins is that they are double humped, shorter and chubbier. They also have a fluffier coat to protect themselves from the cold.

Very few of the live in the wild today as most of them have been domesticated. In Ladakh, these camels can be found at Diskit, a 12 hour ride from Leh.

They are used for safaris now.

Riding one however is a bit of a pain in the ass...literally

Sand and Ice

2009-10-31T13:17:00.004+05:30

Much of Ladakh's Landscape is a mix of snowy hills and sandy plateau

Kargil War Memorial

2009-10-28T23:25:00.010+05:30

"..there is a hell then this must be it. It is -40 C, the wind outs the soldier's face, the lungs scream for oxygen, the cold numbs the mind. Orange juice has to be boiled, eggs turn to golf balls, the guns jam. What a way to fight a war" - India Today

In memory of those who fought in the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan.

Ladakhi Dance

2009-10-19T10:34:00.005+05:30

Ramazan at Mohammed Ali Road

2009-09-30T10:02:00.006+05:30

Owner counts his money as man drops maplpuwa batter into ghee. Guess it was blessed day for him. All business owners make a good profit during this season.

The making of the Malpuwa. A crispy pancake of sorts fried in ghee and with a layer of condensed milk poured over it. A specialty of Mohammed Ali Road and served this way only during Ramazan.

Firni- a sweet light rice pudding

Jelabi's fried in Ghee and dipped in sugar syrup

Kebabs Roasting

Tri-Colour Kebabs

The Minara Mosque

Hello all and a very belated Eid Mubarak. Been busy with exams and assignments. Still in the midst of them, but took a little break to post these pictures up. If you happen to be in Mumbai during Ramazan you should definitely drop by Mohammed Ali Road during Iftar (the time for braking the fast). The place is a haven for juicy kebabs, shawarma's, meaty submarines and a variety of the most amazing sweets. It's generally like this only during Ramazan.
The people were really generous and offered me free food 'cos I was clicking pictures.
Yum!

Please DONT Urinal

2009-09-12T22:32:00.003+05:30

Well after awhile you can't really blame the guy.
One thing this trip has taught me is that when you have to go.. you have to go!
Open fields to icy snow hills, name it and I've marked my territory there. Literally.

Phunsok

2009-08-28T22:22:00.003+05:30

Our amazing driver who got us past glaciers, ravines and roadless deserts.
Incredible man, someone I will never forget.

To Diskit we go

2009-08-23T12:13:00.003+05:30

Yak Yak Yak

2009-08-20T18:51:00.010+05:30

...and baby yak at the bottom

Swine Flew Alert...

2009-08-17T23:10:00.005+05:30

...at The Wall Project on the Tulsi Pipe Road.
The road stretches from Mahim to Dadar running along the Western Railway line in Mumbai.
Check out more of their work at www.thewallproject.com
Thanks for helping colour Mumbai!

And in swine 'flu' or H1N1 related news, the city is over reacting and has shut schools and colleges for a week. The virus is not as fatal as people believe and can be treated effectively.

Lady of Leh

2009-08-15T23:18:00.002+05:30

Pangong Lake, Ladakh

2009-08-09T00:55:00.005+05:30

Pangong Lake lies in the Himalayan mountains near the Indo-China border. Three-quarter of the lake lies in China and the rest in India. It is a few hours ride from the city of Leh in Ladakh.
The water here is a brilliant clear blue and freezing cold even in the Summer.

The Wishmaker - Ali Sethi

2009-07-28T23:29:00.011+05:30

Amitav Ghosh (left) and Ali Sethi launch 'The Wish Maker'

Jerry Pinto (right) has a laugh

Ali Sethi

The Wish Maker is the debut novel by Pakistani writer Ali Sethi. It was launched at Crossword Kemp's Corner and released by Amitav Ghosh.

The story is set in the backdrop of Lahore, Pakistan in the 1990's and explores significant events that took place during this time through the eyes of young Zaki Shirazi.

"The Wish Maker, in Ali Sethi's mature sure-handed prose, is an engaging family saga, an absorbing coming-of-age story, and an illuminating look at one of the world's most turbulent regions. Ali Sethi steadfastly resists the usual cliches about both Islam and his native country. Instead, he offers a nuanced, often humorous, and always novel look at life in modern-day Pakistan." - Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns

Buddhist Prayer Wheel and Beads

2009-07-23T20:40:00.005+05:30

To Leh

2009-07-20T23:29:00.003+05:30

Enroute to Leh...
Known for its sandy hills and rocks of many colours

Buddhism in Ladakh

2009-07-16T17:21:00.007+05:30

The color red is auspicious in Tibetan culture. It is a sacred color, one of the colors of the five Buddhas and the color of the monk's garments. It is believed to have protective qualities and is therefore often used to paint sacred buildings. The Buddhism practised in Ladakh is Tibetan influenced.

Melting Ice

2009-07-10T23:59:00.002+05:30

Signs of Summer

Glaring White - The Zozilla Pass

2009-07-04T22:33:00.004+05:30

.and see the horses at the bottom

taken on the route to Leh from Srinagar

Defiant

2009-07-03T23:20:00.002+05:30

Shot at Kargil

Dras

2009-07-02T22:52:00.003+05:30

Dras connects Srinagar to Leh and lies in the Kargil Distict of J & K.
It is the Second Coldest Inhabitated Place in the World second only to Siberia. Temperatures can fall below -40 degrees Celsius here.
The Indo-Pak Kargil War was fought here in 1999.

Ladakh - Portraits

2009-07-01T23:44:00.006+05:30

Buddhist Monk

Devotee

Little Devotee

To MJ (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

2009-06-28T01:41:00.004+05:30

The billboard on Peddar Rd..

Amul's tribute to the King of Pop - Michael Jackson

'Black or White...Everyone's a Fan

You Just Can't Beat It'

Perched Rooftops

2009-06-23T22:01:00.001+05:30

Fields

2009-06-23T21:30:00.002+05:30

Nafisa

2009-06-22T22:04:00.002+05:30

..in Kashmiri finery..

It's their traditional outfit

Mr Bul Bul Flower Man

2009-06-21T18:05:00.002+05:30

Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir

2009-06-19T21:23:00.004+05:30

Taken at Nagin, one of the four basins of the Dal Lake..
We stayed on a houseboat on the lake. If you look closely you can see them at the back of the photo. The little boat on the right is called a shikara.

Women

2009-06-18T22:25:00.000+05:30

First Snow

2009-06-17T23:22:00.003+05:30

My first view of snow topped mountains..
Pretty excited I was.
Then we climbed to the top and boy was that an incredible experience.

A Pashmina For You

2009-06-17T13:49:00.003+05:30

Pashmina is a fabric woven in Kashmir from the wool of a pashmina goat which is indigenous to high altitudues of the Himalayas. It is supersoft and keeps one nice and warm for the cold weather up there.

Imran

2009-06-16T18:43:00.002+05:30

My Green Eyed Boy

One of our guides in Gulmarg, Kashmir.
Gulmarg is a skiing and summer hill resort and home to the world's highest gondola ski lift.

Rainbow Boy

2009-06-15T22:23:00.002+05:30

A fabric seller...
The first of my Kashmiri men..

Cycle

2009-06-15T18:19:00.002+05:30

Srinagar, Kashmir

Tasbih

2009-06-07T16:28:00.002+05:30

On the Swaraj Express from Mumbai to Jammu.
First leg of journey commences.

Tasbih: Remembrance of God

Back from Heaven on Earth

2009-06-05T19:23:00.003+05:30

And I'm back! Fully exhausted and utterly dirty from my tour of Jammu and Kashmir. Also made a halt at Himachal Pradesh on the way back. Was a long 30 hour train journey to and fro. And plenty travelling to reach our various destinations in the state..I'd say we averaged 200km everyday just site seeing. Was a brilliant experience anyhow... I got to see some of the world's most beautiful people and places.
I'll be uploading the photos soon...
So watch this space for more..

Blue, Yellow and Green

2009-05-07T16:03:00.002+05:30

Taken at the Lighthouse Hotel, Galle

Candy Floss

2009-05-04T16:57:00.000+05:30

Lil' Tramp

2009-05-02T14:39:00.001+05:30

Kodal Babath

2009-05-01T17:56:00.003+05:30

Ambewela Farm

2009-04-28T01:02:00.003+05:30

Kothmale Oya

2009-04-21T00:27:00.002+05:30