Heritage homes inspire interiors' photography

On April 23, I reached Charni road station at 8:00 a.m. in the morning ready to shoot (officially the last session of my photography learning course). The mentor decided to be an hour late and so I was obviously pissed being on time :). However, I did get a good morning picture of a flower (leaves lit up in the sun) and am wondering whether that can make up for loss of an hour? Does it? Probably no. 

At 9:00 in the morning we ventured into Kotachiwadi to take pictures. I hate shooting architecture and it doesn’t make sense to me at all. I mean what’s the joy clicking murals or huge buildings or museums et all.? Hopefully someday a part of them shall make sense to me! Taj Mahal probably. So I was kinda bored shooting the houses that are over a 100 years old until we students had the opportunity to venture into two homes and photograph interiors. I loved the glitter, shine and tone of colors and for a person who is into portraits, flora, and birds and animals - I was smitten with another dimension of existence - the interiors.

First we entered the house of Willy. This house had a wonderful seating space at the entrance and most of the interiors had a certain story to tell. The interiors were collected or bought from different sources who were either giving away things or had no use of them or chor bazaar or stumbled upon by fate and each piece was transformed into a work of ‘interior art’. Apart from the aquarium, there was also an open basin that was home to three gold fish. 

The other house we entered was Thelma’s. She is 90 years old and has raised eight kids. We met Gary and James of the eight. All the kids are spread over the world except for James who lives with Thelma. The house has two floors and a large part of it is made of wood. A darling family to say the least. From the conversation we had with mom and son duo, their home is a hosting pad for infinite tourists (Germans, Brits) that travel to Mumbai. Christmas must be a phenomenon in these homes. This Christmas, I should probably pay them a surprise visit and gift them a few pictures I had taken (probably eat some yum cake and have nice strong coffee). Speaking of cakes, Swappu (a dear friend of mine), bakes yummy bunt cakes. The cakes are so liquored that its difficult to stop unless there is none more left to binge.

Both the families were extremely welcoming and I am in awe of the homes they have made. There’s probably so much love stuffed in each of those decorative pieces that they come alive speaking for their owners - the heart that is invested to make a beautiful home.

Heritage homes are perfect examples of the philosophy, Life is a SUM. Each feeling adds up over time to make a home. Each piece of art adds up to its beauty. Eventually and always, the aggregate SUM is much much greater than the sum of its parts.

Romantic rain 'n' love lotuses

Mid summer rains,

In a land that once was home,

A photograph to sense the breeze,

The calm, the noise and the fragrance of wet earth.

Hot coffee by the balcony seating,

A family in a friend or two,

The weather chill, then within

Of null rainy romances.

In reflection, I find none in memory,

Me, my romantic love and the rains,

All I have is romantic solitude

Of me and the rains.

All my romances share the same story,

One sweet November after another,

High tides of passion like monsoons bring,

Leaving a dry spell within weeks.

Recently I learnt of lotuses,

How they wake up to morning sunshine,

Each single day, all year through,

In rains, winters and summer noons.

Unlike fleeting romances,

With fiery sheets wearing off in cold loneliness,

There was probably just one time

I remember waking up like a lotus does to sunshine.

Then I reflect some more,

On romances devoid of rains,

I wonder of a philosopher who once said

"Connecting the dots backwards, is the only way"

I am wiser now,

Given up on love and romance,

Not the philosophy or adventure,

Only the active quest.

Now I believe to live than seek,

I become more open and love the play field,

Of new discoveries, extended boundaries,

Without expectations, I only feel.

If romance and love were exclusive choices,

I had be flipping the coin forever,

May be someday the adventure shall be such,

Blended with rainy romances and love lotuses - all very much.

And even if not, no harm done,

Each day shall still feel new,

With love lotuses to view

And family in a friend or two.