Despite the whirlwind that this year has been, I have found my moments to dwell in and romance my favourite season.
These were photographed during a recent family weekend in Coorg. On my iphone, since I decided to go sans my dearest loyal companionbeast (the SLR) for a change :) The companionbeast and I are back together now. On assignment in a tropical paradise where the monsoon has been eluding me.
I am sure we’ll have our moments. I feel it.
Was mediating on these and the beauty of falling, decaying, and being born again.
A misty morning here in San Fran(above) and a monsoon back at home (below). Both so beautiful, both so soothing. I miss the latter, and can’t wait to catch up with it, which should be in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I’ve been reading some Haiku these days and writing some as well — for an exciting collaborative project that is in the final stages (details soon!). I find it so calming and clarifying.
To express with such eloquent simplicity and yet keep the richness of layers…what a beautiful way to exercise the mind, don’t you think ?
” Do not speak — unless it improves on the silence. “
~ Buddhist saying
During a quiet road trip recently to Bylakuppe — an exceptionally peacelful Tibetan settlement in the Coorg district, South of India, there seemed to be a myriad of invigorating Reds in the air, water and the earth . . .The deeply reflective quality of the color Red drew me in. The wetness of the Monsoon pronounced it further.
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. Red, throughout the development of civilization has had connotations with life and things considered sacred in some way.
On a separate note : I find that the colors of a landscape are so much more intense and pure during/before/after the rains. The clouds allow for the clean, even light and the rain water brings so much texture and freshness to everything. I so enjoy photographing in the rain and the Indian monsoon has always been a muse of mine, despite the fact that she’s a paradox–She takes as generously as she gives. Exploring her various facets and studying color have been on my mind lately. I was thinking I’d tie both the explorations together and see what happens. It could potentially grow into a series of sorts . . . I’ll start posting color captures of the monsoon along with some notes, from the places that touch my life, as these wet months go by and in the monsoons to come . . . these posts can be found under the category called Monsoon Colors in this blog. Do stay tuned . . . !
