Patang, maanjha, charkha, pench, dheeel and …… kaatteeey!!

Happy Lohri /Pongal/ Makar Sankranthi!!

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

It gives me great pleasure in inviting you to the preview of my group exhibit of photographs titled Controlled Freedom at Alankritha Art Gallery at Hyderabad, on 7th Jan at 6:30 pm. The show will be on till 21st Jan. Would be great to see you there. In case you are busy, feel free to check out on any day between 7th and 21st. The gallery is open from 11:00 am to 8:00pm.

Please pass on information regarding the show to friends who might be interested.

The facebook link to the event: – https://www.facebook.com/events/304420802929424/

CONTROLLED FREEDOM is an exhibition of portrait photography showcasing the work of seemingly disparate photographers – (Sucharitha Rao and Lakshmi Prabhala )- while attempting to stitch the common thread of evocative photographic perspective between them.

Its amazing that we get to learn new things on a photowalk. In this case, every Tuesday and Saturday rahu-pooja is performed between 3-5 pm which involves lighting lamps in half a lemon. One’s desires are said to be fulfilled if this ritual is performed.

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

Dyeing in process – a part of the All in Day’s work series!

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

…supposedly means different things to different people.

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

One of the many attractive installations(???) at Ramoji Film City – a tourists delight and film makers haven! [The title is a catch-line borrowed from their website.]

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

A small portion of the Purana Kabootar Khana in Hussaini-Alam. I assumed there was only at Hasmathgunj. Thanks to Baquer Siddiqi for suggesting  the place.

The text below is an excerpt from an article published in Times of India.

Birds have held a special place in the hearts of Hyderabad’s dwellers since time immemorial. The descendants of Qutub Shahi kings and Nizams were renowned patrons, whose love for the winged creatures pervades among the common folk even today.

The Purana Kabutarkhana in Hussaini Alam, which is more than 200 years old, was built by Siddi Ibrahim, a descendant of Quli Qutub Shah. It has around 135 pigeonholes, which can together hold more than 800 pigeons. “The coop was built because Siddi Ibrahim loved birds and wanted to provide them with food and shelter,” says Syed Ibrahim Ali who traces his lineage to the Qutub Shahi kings.

Ali proudly points out that the pigeons that live here do not desert the place and continue living here for generations. Adding that his family has been taking care of the coop for more than two centuries, he says: “Members of all communities come here to feed the birds. We also take care of the structure and carry out frequent repairs in case of any damage.”

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

The gate portion of the Asman Jah Devdi is all that remains of this devdi.

Like many Hyderabadi, Sir Asman Jah is said to be a great food lover and would request his Darogha Pakwan (shahi bawarchi) to prepare unique dishes like baara singha (Antelope) cheeks curries, kababs and at least 18 different types of biryanis & pulaos. When Sir Asman Jah a book was said to be published of all the recipes that the Nawab patronised with the help of the daorgha pakwan.

More about Asman Jah Bahadur below from wiki :

Sir Asman Jah or Nawab Asman Jah Bahadur, was a noble man belonging to the Paigah family. He was the Prime Minister of Hyderabad state (1887–1894), India.

Sir Asman Jah’s full name and titles were: Muhammad Mazharuddin Khan, Nawab Rafat Jung, Bashir-ud-Doula, Umdat-ul-Mulk, Azam-ul-Umara, Amir-e-Akbar, Sir Asman Jah K.C.I.E. He was born in the year 1256 hijri and was married to Sahebzadi Parwarishunissa Begum, daughter of Asaf Jah V. He was a council was appointed to carry on the administration of the state and acted as co-regent in addition to carrying out the duties of minister of justice and was the Prime minister from 1311 hijri till 1318 hijri.

He built the famous Bashir Bagh Palace and Asman Garh Palace, now part of the hertige structures of Andhra Pradesh.

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.