Bicycle Sunset
Parked along the road that leads to Jaswant Thada (near the Mehrangarh Fort), a bicycle sits silhouetted against the late afternoon Jodhphur sun.
Chaos and colour.
For me, those words sum up India.
The chaos is ubiquitous – as a pedestrian, you need to be aware of all parts of your body as you walk across broken pavements punctuated by piles of rubbish and cow pats, through crowds of burdened porters and grasping beggars, and past whizzing bikes and tuk-tuks and potentially dangerous bulls …
But, as any visitor to these pages knows, I love it. On my first visit to Rajasthan many years ago, I was struck by the colours and how they seem to vibrate through the hot, dusty air, and I continue to be captured by it.
Of course, it is not always hot: nothing quite compares to the penetrating cold-damp of a Delhi winter fog. And, it is not always the bright sunlight of mid-day: if you are on a photo-tour, you are bound to be up before the first light and still out as the sun sets at the end of day – as I was one long November day in Jodhpur.
But, whatever time of day or season, the colours – and the faces of the people – are still arresting.
Enjoy!
Long Shadows
If you are travelling on a Photo Tour, you can expect to be up and out before dawn, and still up long after sunset… In a pre-dawn street of Old Jodhpur, the shadows of our group, with photographer Karl Grobl and local guide DV, are projected against a painted wall by the lights of our bus.
Woman on the Stoop
There is life in the streets long before the sun approaches the horizon: people are setting up their shop-fronts and chai stalls…
Shrine
… or tending one of the many wildly-coloured Hindu shines dotting the streets.
Street Lights down a Corridor
Laneways full of detritus are shadowed in the low light.
Corridor
Blue-washed houses with green painted doors are a common sight in Old Jodhpur.
Portrait of a Woman in Red
People in the streets are always ready to stop, smile and have their pictures made.
Dog in Blue
Watchful
Blurring the “Pepsi”
As morning breaks, people start on their day’s business…
Girl on the Move
… hurrying past on foot …
Wheels
… or on scooters.
Dog on a Stoop
Woman at the Tap
Man on a Balcony
The Morning Paper
Black and Yellow Tuk-Tuks
Drivers sit in their three-wheelers, waiting for business.
Beware the Bull!
This brahman bull is known for his bad temper: he’s no risk to the passing scooters, but those of us on foot need to keep a wide berth.
The Blue Door
Passing the Blue Door
Veggie Seller and her Wares
Morning street markets are just that: goods in baskets, on the street. The produce all looks very fresh.
Veggie Seller
Veggie Seller
Old scales with lead weights are a part of the transactions.
Tuk-Tuk Chaos
You get a real sense of the street chaos from inside a tuk-tuk on a busy road.
Jaswant Thada
After a visit to the nearby Mehrangarh Fort, we made a late afternoon stop to Jaswant Thada, the white marble mausoleum built in 1899 for Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
Musician on a Traditional Stringed Instrument
Hoping for donations, performers in brightly coloured turbans entertain visitors to the Jaswant Thada memorial site.
Musician on a Harmonium
A simple Indian harmonium can be boxed up and carried away.
Musician: Jaswant Thada
Rao Jodha Ji Statue
As we leave the Jaswant Thada monument, the afternoon sun drops behind the statue of Rao Jodha Ji, founder of Jodhpur, on his magnificent Rajasthani horse.
Wonderful, chaotic, clashing colours – any time of day.
Namaste!
Photos: 06November2013
Another wonderful post Ursula, I always enjoy seeing what you’ve captured. My favorite image among them is “Tuk Tuk Chaos”, where you’ve captured a sense of action and excitement. The added benefit of the “double view” of the driver reflected in the mirror as well as what looks like another mirror reflecting Joe (the passenger). It’s a shot with so many elements, including some eye-candy that takes it to another level. Bravo Ursula 🙂
Hey, Karl ~
Thanks so much! I’m always happy to provided some “eye candy”. 😀
Hey, Gabe ~ you can join me out there next time, if you like! 😉
Beautiful descriptions & colours reflecting the diversity of experiences one gets when traveling in India