Bride

Rajasthani Bride wearing Gharga Choli, I have painted this painting in 2009 by Acrylic color on canvas (72 x 48 inches).

Indian wedding dresses are very different from Western style wedding attire. Understated is definitely not a word that could be ascribed to an Indian wedding outfit. Indian brides are expected to sparkle and shine and this expectation is fulfilled in brightly colored and intricately embroidered ensembles. Indian wedding dresses are usually red, as white is considered to be a color of mourning in many regions. Red is the traditional color of Indian brides and is considered to bring good luck and happiness to the prospective couple.

There is such an incredible amount of cultural and religious diversity in the Indian sub-continent that the exact style of Indian wedding dresses will vary from region to region. However, some common styles include the sari, Ghagra Choli and shalwar chameez.
Ghagra Choli usually consists of a very long skirt and short blouse. A lengthy scarf called a dupatta is draped across the chest.

Gagra choli, which is also known as Lehenga choli, is the traditional clothing of women in Rajasthan andGujarat.Chaniya choli is another term commonly used to refer it. It is a combination outfit of a Lehenga, tight Choli and a Dupatta.

Lehenga or Ghagra is a form of skirt which is long, embroidered and pleated. It is worn as the bottom portion of a Gagra choli. It is secured at the waist and leaves the lower back and midriff bare. It was introduced by the Mughals. Lehenga is a typical feminine silhouette that epitomizes style, craftsmanship, quality and class of Indian clothing.

The lehengas are made of a number of fabrics such as Silk, Cotton, Georgette, Crape, Net, Satin, Brocade and Chiffon. Even though designers have successfully used the various kinds of fabrics for making the lehenga, silk is still the most preferred fabric. Silk Lehenga is considered to be the most beautiful version of old traditional attire, as it used to be in Mughal era. Silk lehengas are timelessly classic. They have been in vogue since olden times and will always remain so. They own a special place in the fashion world as they are suitable to be worn for all occasions.
Apart from the fabric, decorative stitching patterns also play a role. Lehengas come with a wide variety of decoration work like zari, zardozi, embroidery, diamante work, beads embroidery work, kundan work,mirror work, etc.

The Tiger

I have painted this painting on 9th September 2011, on Onam day, Acrylic in canvas board (35.56 cm x a5.72 cm (14 x 18))

Tigers appear on many flags and coats of arms, as mascots for sporting teams, and as the national animal of several Asian nations.
The Bengal tiger has been a national symbol of India since about the 25th century BCE when it was displayed on the Pashupati seal of the Indus Valley Civilisation. On the seal, the tiger, being the largest, represents the Yogi Shiva's people. The tiger was later the symbol of the Chola Empire from 300 CE to 1279 CE and is now designated as the official animal of India. The Bengal tiger, or Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), is a tiger subspecies native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Its coat is a yellow to light orange, and the stripes range from dark brown to black; the belly is white, and the tail is white with black rings. A mutation of the Bengal subspecies, the white tiger, has dark brown or reddish brown stripes on a white background, and some are entirely white. Black tigers have tawny, yellow or white stripes on a black background color. The skin of a black tiger, recovered from smugglers, measured 259 cm (102 in) and was displayed at the National Museum of Natural History, in New Delhi. The existence of black tigers without stripes has been reported but not substantiated.

The total body length, including the tail, of males is 270 to 310 cm (110 to 120 in), while females are 240 to 265 cm (94 to 104 in). The tail measures 85 to 110 cm (33 to 43 in), and the height at the shoulder is 90 to 110 cm (35 to 43 in). The average weight of males is 221.2 kg (488 lb), while that of females is 139.7 kg (308 lb).
Tigers do not live in prides as lions do. They do not live as family units because the male plays no part in raising his offspring. Tigers mark their territory by spraying urine on a branch or leaves or bark of a tree, which leaves a particular scent behind. Tigers also spray urine to attract the opposite sex. When an outside individual comes into contact with the scent, it learns that the territory is occupied by another tiger. Hence, every tiger lives independently in its own territory.

Mountain Mist

I feel Mountain Mist will be the best suitable Title for this post. Wayanad is known for its lovely mist clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. These snaps I have clicked on 20th August 2011, it was around 5’o clock evening full of mist and I was not able to drive due to heavy mist (fog). All the vehicles slowly started parking near to the view point, only red indicators were visible at that time. About half an hour I spent watching the chilled weather of Green Paradise.



The distance from the mean sea level and the amount of forest cover creates a pleasant climate in the region. Generally the year is divided into four seasons; cold weather (December to February) hot weather (March to May) South West monsoon (June to September) and North East monsoon (October to November). During the hot weather the temperature goes up to a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F) and during the cold weather the temperature goes down to 07 °C (45 °F). The greater temperature variation in the last 5–6 years is in the range of 18 °C (64 °F) to 28 °C (82 °F). The average rainfall is 2,500 millimetres (98 in) per year.



Lakkidi: One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands a picturesque scenery. It is about 58 kms. north east of Kozhikode and five kms. south of Vythiri. Lakkidi, the gate way of Wayanad, lies atop Thamarassery, a ghat pass at an elevation of 700 m. above mean sea level.The lofty mountain peaks, the gurging stream, luxuriant vegetation and the bird's eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking. The 12 kms.long journey from Adivaram to Lakkidi through ghat road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick forests, is a fascinating experience.

Ulsoor Lake

Halasuru Lake one of the biggest lakes in Bangalore, is located on the eastern side of the city. It derives its name from the name of the locality it is situated, namely, Ulsoor, close to M G Road, Bangalore. It is spread over 50 ha (123.6 acres)) and has several islands. Even though the lake is dated to Kempegowdas’ time, the present lake was created by Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring, the then Commissioner of Bangalore.

These snaps I have clicked on 25th January 2009

The village of Halasuru is said to have been gifted to Kempe Gowda I (1513–1569), the founder of Bangalore, by the Vijayanagar emperors. The Ulsoor Lake was built by his successor, Kempe Gowda II, and is the only surviving tank built by the Gowda kings in Bangalore. The first British military station was set up in Halasuru in 1807

There used to be a jackfruit orchard near the Ulsoor Lake, and the Kannada name for jackfruit being ‘Halasina Hannu’ the area came to be known as Halasuru. During the British rule, the name was anglicised to 'Ulsoor', but in 2004, the neighbourhood was officially renamed 'Halasuru'.

Lal Bagh

These snaps I have clicked on 23rd January 2009 a Flower show day
Lal Bagh is a well known botanical garden in Bangalore, India The garden was commissioned by the ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali. It has a famous glass house which hosts yearly flower show. It also has an aquarium and a lake, and is one of the tourist attractions in Bangalore.

Lal Bagh is a 240 acre (971,000 sq.m. - almost 1 km².) garden and is located in south Bangalore. It holds a number of flower shows, especially on the Republic Day (26th January). The garden has over 1,000 species of flora. The garden also has trees that are over 100 years old.

The garden surrounds one of the towers erected by the founder of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda. The park has some rare species of plants brought from Persia, Afghanistan and France. With an intricate watering system for irrigation, this garden is aesthetically designed, with lawns, flowerbeds, lotus pools and fountains. Most of the centuries old trees are labeled for easy identification. The Lal Bagh Rock, one of the oldest rock formations on earth, dating back to 3000 million years, is another attraction that brings the crowds.

The Lal Bagh Gardens are based on the design of the Mughal Gardens that once stood at Sira, at a distance of 120 km from Bengaluru on the main NH4 at Tumkur District in Karnataka. This is amply supported by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and other historical records. At that time, Sira was the head-quarters of the strategically important southernmost Mughal "suba" (province) of the Deccan before the British Raj.

Lal Bagh remains open daily from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. throughout the year. For the benefit of joggers, tourists and fitness enthusiasts, entry is free from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. At other times, a fee of Rs.10/- is charged. Entry for school children and the disabled is free all day

Flower shows are conducted every year to educate people about the variety of flora and develop public interest in plant conservation and cultivation.

Cocoa

These snaps I have clicked near to my sweet home, Wayanad, Kerala, on 2nd Feb 2009

The word "cocoa" is derivative of "cacao". "Cocoa" can often also refer to the drink commonly known as hot chocolate; to cocoa powder, the dry powder made by grinding cocoa seeds and removing the cocoa butter from the dark, bitter cocoa solids; or to a mixture of cocoa powder and cocoa butter
The cacao tree is native to the Americas. It may have originated in the foothills of the Andes in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America where today, examples of wild cacao still can be found. However, it may have had a larger range in the past, evidence for which may be obscured because of its cultivation in these areas long before, as well as after, the Spanish arrived. It was first cultivated by the Olmecs at least 1500 BC in Central America.

Immature cocoa pods have a variety of colors, but most often are green, red, or purple, and as they mature their color tends towards yellow or orange, particularly in their creases. The pods on a tree do not ripen together; harvesting needs to be done periodically through the year. The ripe and near-ripe pods, as judged by their color, are harvested from the trunk and branches of the cocoa tree with a curved knife on a long pole. Care must be used when cutting the stem of the pod to avoid injuring the junction of the stem with the tree, as this is where future flowers and pods will emerge. The pods (or the seeds extracted from them) are transported to the fermentation area on the plantation.

Hope this helps you to know about Cocoa fruit and its role in yummy chocolates

Mahe River

Mahe River is also known as Mayyazhipuzha, is a river in South India. It flows through the state of Kerala and the coastal exclave of Mahe in Pondicherry. Mahe a small town surrounded on all sides by Kerala and is officially a part of Puducherry (Pondicherry). The official name of Mahe is Mayyazhi in the local Malayalam language. The original name of Mahe, Mayyazhi, means "eyebrow of the sea". The Kannur District surrounds Mahe on three sides. Formerly a French colony, Mahe now forms a municipality in Mahe district of the Union Territory of Puducherry (based on the east coast).
This photo I have taken on 21st March 2009, on the way to Thalasseri

Sundown

Bangalore: These snaps I have clicked on 13th December 2008 between 17:28 and 17:45 from Lingarajapuram, Bangalore. It was on a fine Saturday evening. I just thought of clicking sunset, but I was not sure that it will be success with my small Sony digital camera (H10).

The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies with the dying sun. Francis William Bourdillion.

Sunset or sundown is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon in the west as a result of Earth's rotation

Coffee

Coffea canephora (Coffea robusta) is most largely cultivated plantation crop in Wayanad. Coffee based farming system is a notable feature of Wayanad. Coffee in Wayanad shares 33.65 per cent of the total cropped area in the district and 78 per cent of the coffee area in the state.
The fruits, coffee cherries or coffee berries, most commonly contain two stones with their flat sides together. In a crop of coffee, a small percentage of cherries contain a single bean, instead of the usual two. This is called a peaberry. As coffee is one of the world's most widely consumed beverages, coffee beans are a major cash crop, and an important export product for some countries. Coffee powder is prepared from roasted seeds, called coffee beans, of the coffee plant. Coffee beans are found in coffee cherries. Coffee can have a stimulating effect on humans due to its caffeine content. It is one of the most-consumed beverages in the world. These photos I have clicked from my estate, Lakshmi Gardens, Kalpetta, Wayanad.
The traditional method of planting coffee is to put 20 seeds in each hole at the beginning of the rainy season; half are eliminated naturally. A more effective method of growing coffee, used in Brazil, is to raise seedlings in nurseries that are then planted outside at six to twelve months. Coffee is often intercropped with food crops, such as corn, beans, or rice during the first few years of cultivation. There is some controversy over whether the caffeine in coffee causes headaches or helps relieve headaches. In a 2000 controlled study by the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, revealed that adults who took ibuprofen, an over the counter pain killer, combined with caffeine or one cup of coffee had increased effectiveness against tension headaches. The study did not recommend that the caffeine and ibuprofen combination was effective against migraine headaches. A
Johns Hopkins controlled study has linked drinking coffee with addictive withdrawal headaches, even with those who drink coffee in moderation. A 2009 Norwegian University of Science and Technology controlled study claims that heavy coffee drinkers, four cups a day, are more likely to suffer occasional headaches than persons who have low coffee or caffeine consumption. The stimulant effect of coffee is due to its caffeine content. The caffeine content of a cup of coffee varies depending mainly on the brewing method, and also on the variety of bean.

The Chain Tree

The Chain Tree
Nearer to the gateway of wayanad we can see the big chain tree.The story says like this: An Adivasi (tribal) named Karinthandan, who discovered the route to Wayanad through the difficult mountain terrain. A British colonialist killed Karinthandan in order to get the credit for finding the route through the jungle. People believe that Karinthandan’s ghost had been haunting later travellers. It was calmed only after a priest chained the spirit to this banyan tree. There is a small temple near to this tree, people believes that the God of that temple protects them from the troublesome spirit of Karinthandan.

This place is called Lakkidi, blessed with a fantastic view and great weather. It is the border of Wayanad district. Lakkidi is a popular halt for tourists on their way to Ootty and Mysore/Banglore.
I have painted this picture in the year 2003 January for Wayanad Flower Show 2003, in the water color media, and clicked this snap in 2009.

Once this story has been telecasted by Asianet, a popular Malayalam television channel.

Team Work

Team Work

These types of ant are usually called Weaver ants, Red ants or Green ants and seen in coffee, coco, mango trees, jack fruit trees etc. This photo I have clicked on 15th Feb 2009, from a coco plant near to my house, they are looking so brighter in the sun light because of the peculiar red color and the transparent sort of body with some fluids inside.
Weaver ants are known for their unique nest building behavior where workers construct nests by weaving together leaves using larval silk. Colonies can be extremely large consisting of more than a hundred nests spanning numerous trees and contain more than half a million workers. Like many other ant species, weaver ants prey on small insects and supplement their diet with carbohydrate-rich honeydew excreted by small insects.
Construction without destruction
The weaver ant's ability to build capacious nests from living leaves has undeniably contributed to their ecological success. The first phase in nest construction involves workers surveying potential nesting leaves by pulling on the edges with their mandibles. When a few ants have successfully bent a leaf onto itself or drawn its edge toward another, other workers nearby join the effort.