Take it Lightly

Neo may have been enlightened when the little boy told him, “There is no spoon.” But this isn’t the Matrix and there isn’t any enlightenment, though there is illumination – a blatant manifestation of “light”. The spoon does exist – a polished, refulgent, stainless steel spoon – though you do not see it as such, …

A Purpose

(An explication through haiku) Breaking horizon, a means to fulfill purpose, propagating life! Forever struggle, material benefits, what is thy purpose? Delve into the soul, the essence of existence, illumination! [Frame: Sunrise over Aarey Forest captured from Aarey Guest House, Mumbai] – Narendra Nayak © 2020

A Fruit of Wisdom

The karit (कारिट) fruit (Cucumis melo var. agrestis) plays a small but significant part in the Diwali festivities. After the traditional bath at dawn on the morning of Diwali, it is customary to stamp and split open the fruit by the heel of the foot and taste a little of the bitter juice before commencing …

Let there be Light!

Photography, for me, is a game of light, and light alone; the presence or absence of illumination, in part or in whole – the varying luminescence casting shadows and silhouettes, shaping profiles and outlines, moulding contours and depth – the palette intensified with a profusion of shades, hues, tints, tones and intensities, adding distinctive dimensions …

The Three Amigos

Timid and shy a pleasant stray, Cloudy was always a joy; a fighter born a lone wolf, Dusty could ne’er have been coy; a pet pup being fussed over, Rusty was meant as a toy; None would foresee life to grow, into a willing killjoy. His mom didn’t stir, run over she was, trying to …

A Harvest of Chance

A lush green paddy patch to the bystander’s eyes, knowing not behind the vista what hardship lies. With blood and toil nurtured, starting with the plough, sowing, growing, nourishing, lifting water until now. With tender loving care, fighting spot, rot and blight, and once the grains appear standing guard day and night. From afar the …

Revelations in Reverie

The morning vistas alter rapidly, and I wonder why does it enthuse me, not just today, but daily so? Is it the inherent beauty of the landscape that bewitches me – fast-changing displays with a few rapid brushstrokes of vivid hues, tones and shades? Or is it the transient nature of the spectacle itself that …

Focus!

Crisp, sharp, focus. These pictures, taken in a moment of inspiration are actually a metaphor for our journey in life. Whatever the objective, the aspiration, the intent, the mission – if we take unhesitant, deliberate, purposeful and relentless strides towards the goal with unwavering faith in our abilities, nothing can thwart a triumphant culmination of …

Misfired!

A photographer’s index finger is always a source of nervous energy, especially when shooting a story in motion. “OK – framed it! No, a little more toppish. Too much happening on the left – pan it a little. OK, now do I wait? How long? Is this the one? Now? No, wait – subject’s turned …

The Waiting Room

A hospital is, in my opinion, one of those places which brings you down to ground zero, sometimes a level lower too, to sync with the bare, naked reality of life. As we go about building dreamy castles of aspirations in thin wispy clouds of our imagination, it takes but one loose brick to be …