Tuesday 18 March 2014

Silhouettes...

Sometimes less is more. Sometimes a silhouette shot can portray a message more beautifully and effectively than a regular shot. And i particularly like the silhouette shots because they don't give the viewers a clear idea of what is there, but leave a lot to imagination, and that is the beauty of silhouettes! They evoke a feeling of mystery and suspense.

Lately i have been fascinated with silhouette photography. I like the fact that the silhouette shots are open to one's imagination and fancy, and the viewers can interpret those  in any way they like!  For instance, have a look at this one:


One fine evening as i was standing in my balcony, i noticed these two pigeons and in my excitement to capture them in camera, i did not realize that i was shooting against the sunlight! So it turned out to be a silhouette by default. ;)  This particular image has kept my imagination active and i have come up with so may different situations to interpret this one! The male pigeon seems to be wooing his lady love, and she is using the typical sly female gestures. May be she is secretly pleased with his advances, but she is not showing it!

Or may be they already are a couple and the male pigeon is apologizing for forgetting her birthday or anniversary may be! :) What a typical male thing to do! Even our avian male friends are prone to this particular forgetfulness.

Or looking at it from another angle, may be she is upset with him because she suspects him of having eyes for other females in the area! And the poor thing is trying to convince her that she is the only one in his life, and that his heart flutters (quite literally) on her sight!  :))  And the readers are welcome to interpret this one in any way they fancy!





These images were captured on utraan or makar sankrant, when the whole India seems to be on terraces! My sons dragged me to the terrace, and because i can not fly a kite at all, i was quite  happy and content with my camera. The mood was jubilant all around, and the cries of 'kai po che' could be heard everywhere! What joy is derived from cutting a five rupee worth kite is beyond my understanding! The pride and happiness is so great as if one has conquered a fort!  ;) Or may be it is a case of sour grapes for me! ;)

This festival reminds me of the book "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. What a beautifully poignant book! I have written a review about this book which can be viewed here: The kite runner.




I shot this one on a beautiful morning on the soothing waters of enchanting Dal lake in kashmir. They do not refer to Kashmir as 'heaven on earth' for nothing! Dal lake is a place like none other! It is a world within itself and it will need another post! :)










These are a few other images captured here and there! I invite my readers to interpret the silhouettes in this post and give their witty and imaginative inputs!  :)


Tuesday 4 March 2014

You are everywhere!!

O' Maula, you are eveywhere! Forty days_the official mourning period has come to an end. But can we ever  stop mourning you O'Maula? A lifetime would not be enough! And how can we not miss you each second? You_ who have been responsible for our very existence! Though you have departed from this world, but i see you everywhere. You are everywhere O' Maula!



You are in my thoughts when i open my eyes in the morning and look at your huge photo frame in my bedroom. It is from you that i seek benedictions and strength to go through one more day. You are there in the fresh roses in my balcony, as they remind me of the freshness of your benevolent and smiling face. You are there in the first beams of sunlight that stream through my window in the morning, as they remind me of the divine light that would radiate from you.

You are there in the innocent faces of my kids, as they look at your photo and then look at me with sad eyes. They remind me of your shafaqat on them, as you had blessed them many times with different barakaat of tehneek, sehra, qadambosi, ziarat sharaf , and the list is endless.

O' Maula you are there in my wedding album, performing my nisbat (engagement) and then my nikah!

You are there in each moment of my life, silently blessing, nurturing and protecting me. I remember the countless times that you have blessed me with your salaam, qadambosi, talaqqi, and the most precious honour of sitting in front of you for 5 years for shafahi imtehaan. The expressions on your kind face when you would look at us from behind those glasses are engraved in my memory forever.

You are there in each book that i open, because it is you who has nurtured me in your Jamea for eleven priceless years of my life. You are there in each word that i teach, because without your blessings, we would not be able to utter a single word.

You are there when we return home tired in the afternoon, as the thali of 'faiz ul mawaid il burhaniyah' is waiting for us! How can we forget you for even a second! And how can we ever thank your endless benevolence.

And O' Maula, you are there most evidently in your mansoos_ Aali qadar Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin(tus). You are there in his illuminated face, his graceful gait, his powerful voice, his charismatic smile, his magnetic gaze _ each and every gesture of your mansoos reminds us of you. He is your true heir! "Man ashbaha abaaho fama zalam"!




His tenderness and affection for his followers is same as yours. His magnetic personality draws thousands and thousands towards him each day. O' our beloved Maula! You continue to live through your son and mansoos_ Syedna Mufaddal saifuddin (tus) , as he truly carries your legacy. May He live a long , healthy and prosperous life till the day of judgement, and may we continue to see You in Him. Ameen