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of Mud and Clay

Pedology is a part of an ecological science that deals with the study of soil. In which, determination of soil texture is an important part. Silt, Clay and loam are the three important particles of soil texture. Their concentration in the soil determines the texture and physical quality of a soil. These are some few lines that I could remember from my formal education about clay and other forms of soils.

There can be no other grand welcome for a bambusapiens than a clump of Bambusa spp. at the backyard of the studio

For me, soil is a growth medium. Soil is an anchor. But to many, soil is not just a growth medium nor just an anchor. It is a medium for their expressions.

Everyone knows about pottery. Normally we get our Porcelain and ceramic products from the Mandarin source. And of course, they are normally meant for domestic uses. Hence, pottery, to me, was more of a functional works, than artistry, until I met this couple in Aug. 4, 2017.

Being an art follower, my artist friends – John and Kimtea, a Kala Bhavana Alumni along with Thara, took me to Goalpara, a village next to Santiniketan. While returning, we went to the studio of this couple. Their studio and their house were a creation, skillfully crafted, and artistically conceptualized. It would be every artists dream to have such a studio!

Biagio Luca from Italy was training at the studio when we first visited in Aug. 4, 2017. (L-R: Luca, Kimtea, Thara, John and Bityut)

I have been studying, teaching and researching on ecology for quite a few years now. I campaigned for ecological conservation among the teenagers. I used to talk about living in harmony with nature. I used to enjoy camping in the wild, among the bushes and the trees. But never ever have been connected with nature as much as I wished to.

A house of mud and clay, the studio of Mr and Mrs Roy

Here at Boner Pukur Danga, Santiniketan, I met two artist, whom mother nature matched them together perfectly. They draw their inspirations from nature – the trees, the bushes, the grasses and the socio-cultural lifes of the Santhali community. Even though they could easily get their medium through online market, they prefer the materials which nature provided them. They dug the soil, and prepare their medium themselves.

A ceramic studio constructed by using ceramic and producing ceramics

For a 3dimensional art works like ceramics, shapes and forms are the two important elements, in fact the whole concept is influenced by these two elements. Being a nature lover, Bityut and Lipi’s inspirations of forms and figures which they incorporate in their art works are from nature itself.

When asked why they live in such an isolated place, “I love the culture, traditions and the lifestyle of the Santhali community. If I lived in their village, I would distract them, so I choose a place where I could see them, where I could witnessed their simple yet riched lifestyle; a place near by them, without disturbing them” Mr. Bityut Roy replied.

Mr. Bityut Roy established the Studio in 1984.

“I am not a trained potter, but a painter. My interest and sources of inspiration is from the nature. My love for fine art and nature brought me here” said Mrs Lippi Biswas.

Bityut and Lipi tie a knot in 1995. Since then, they have been in this field together. They enjoy what nature had provided them. For them, conservation is a lifestyle.

As you walk into the studio, you can feel the swaying of the trees, the melody of the swirling leaves. It seems like a transect walk in a tropical forest, amidst the fog and the mist, accompanied by a drizzle to turn the mercury down.

You can hear the rippling streams. You can feel the chirping birds that are perching around, the croaking of a toad and the aroma of wild flowers blown by the cool breeze. At one corner, you can hear the rhythm of a Santhali percussion and the melodious tune of the womenfolks. It feels like we are more connected with mother nature.

Mr Jubal, a ceramic artist seriously analyzing the art works

For those of you who love nature and fine art, it is a must to visit the ‘Studio Boner Pukur Danga,’ but you have to be extremely careful not to break those fossils of nature embedded in an art work. And of course, buy from them!

My second visit was on May 30, 2018. This time, I was accompanied by my lovely wife Rebecca and Mr. Jubal, a ceramic artist from Kala Bhavana. My wife was so much drawn into those art pieces that she was reluctant to leave!

Tea and snacks, in a ceramic cups and plate

You can reach them here:

Call: +919679984008 (Lipi Biswas)

via e-resources: marangburu@yahoo.com; studiobonerpukurdanga; studiobonerpukrudanga

My wife, holding the art piece that we purchased, posed with Mrs Lipi

Panah Express: A Zenfone story

Very often, I have seen Myanmar. Mostly from the hills near the Indo- Myanmar border. But never have I crossed the border and set my feet on. The name Myanmar itself is mysterious. The country has lots of connection with the history of our fore-fathers. Our language is grouped under the Tibeto-Burman family. Our speculations about Myanmar on the other hand, has been influenced by media reports, which are hardly the brighter side. Nothing was clear until I set my foot upon it.

Reverie

Myanmar, the land of the golden pagoda, has undergone several transformation. The moment I set my foot on Yangon, I can feel that those speculations were negative.

A volunteer named Silas and Eleazar received me at the airport. At first, I thought Eleazar was a cab driver, his dress code was so similar to that of the cab drivers at the airport. He was wearing a ‘Longyi‘ and a panah. Moreover, he doesn’t mention that he’s a pastor.

A panah

A panah, or a slipper in English, like all other South Asian countries is the most prevalent foot wears here in Yangon. And for a guy like me who often think that the invention of a panah, or a silipar or vawthlep in Mizo, is one of the greatest invention, it makes me feel at home…hehe…

Cab driver at Yangon International Airport

The best thing about a panah is its ergonomy. It is easy to wear, easy to take off, easy to dry and easy to clean.

Panah Express

As you stand by the roadside, you can hear the sound of flip-flop there, a flip-flop here. The faster they walk, the pitch of the flip-flop increase.
Adjacent to the Minyekyawswar Street, there’s a narrow, yet busy street. Its dynamism is beyond words. They were so much engaged that a gentleman with a panah on his feet, wearing a sleeveless shirt and a short, with a zenfone3m on his hands, clicking random pictures also seems to remain unnoticed.

An old lady selling a badam on the road-side

The best thing about Yangon is the street food. For a guy like me, who loves a street food and a panah, it is Canaan.

Had they known that a panah express is passing through, these meat monger at the junction of narrow street bazaar would have pose themselves more proper.

For a cycle-rickshaw driver, a panah is a must. There’s no other foot wear which has a better ergonomic!

panah of the driver, panah for the passenger and panah worn by the passer by

It’s my first time to see a cycle-rickshaw with a pillion rider on its side! Reminds me of a WW II Nazi bike with a side car.

For a butcher, a panah is more feasible than other foot wear, and so is, for the lady. The Longyi worn by the lady looks like a Mizo puanzeh, and of course it is complimented by her panah.

What I have noticed during my short stay here is their love for flowers. I don’t know to which varieties do those flowers belong, but of course, they belonged to Asteraceae family (of course all the lovely flowers belong there :D). Working in the flower garden is so much a comfort with a pair of panah on the feet.

These two ladies were in deep conversation, may be about the panah that I wear. But my flip-flop sound didn’t distract them, either.

While all the others were busy with their chores, a young man who seek for inner peace was confessing to the bante. Had it been a pagoda or a gompa, they would have removed their panah.

As I detour towards my hotel, may be the flip-flop was audible. I was spotted! And it makes me realise that my panah doesn’t support a silent mode!

A revisit

Since it was raining, the fear of my sneaker getting wet was making me in a dilemma, “What if i stay in my room and starve…” Then comes the thought of wearing a black panah which the hotel provided us. It fits me broad feet. The flip-flop sound slightly differs with my own panah. The cushion and the grip are however much much better, pity my old cushion-less panah.

A quick re-visit in the evening amidst the rain offered me another sneak peek. This lovely little girl was playing in the puddle. She was wearing a plastic bag on her head, may be to avoid getting wet. But on her tiny feet was a pair of tiny panah, that resist water!

Blending yourself into the scene is very effective while performing a street photography. Sometimes, carrying a big camera (DSLR etc) is often distracting to the subject, which often left us unable to make pictures as desired. Cellphone camera have lots of limitations, but sometimes, people are less distracted and it gives more chance of getting an emotional pictures. Being a photographer doesn’t mean that you have to dress and equipped yourself with apparels specially designed for a photographer. Blending into the scene by dressing like the locals is often effective. When the story is more important than the picture quality, cellphone camera is the best option.

[All images are shot with Asus Zenfone3Max]

ART LOVER…?

Jan. 13, 2018 chawhnu herah, Art Novelty Gallery neitu, Pi Amoiin phone-in min rawn be hlauh mai a, JV-a nena Duet Exhibition an neih, Dec. 1, 2017-a kan chhim ve ni-a Video interview an edit thu leh kan lan venaah kan hming hnuaiah “Art Lover” tih mai a tum thu min rawn hrilh a, “ad libitum” tiin ka’n chhang liam mai bawk a.

“Art Lover” tih ṭawngkam hian ngaihtuahna nasa tak min siam zui a. He post pawh hi a lo pian chhuah phah hial a nih hi!

Rochana nen Amoii & JVa Duet Exhibition, Dec. 1, 2017 @Art Novelty Gallery, Chaltlang.

Fine Art hi engnge a nih? Engchin hi nge Fine Art? tih pawh hi Science lam hrilhfiahna anga thutlukna mum leh fel fai tak awm lem lo a nih hmel bawk si. Visual Art ho hi a rilin a thuk a, a huam zau êm êm ni awm tak a ni. Thil chiang lo ruai mai te hi a ril ting emaw tih tur hian an inhrilhfiah siak luih luih a, a ziaktu khan khang zawng zawng kha a hnaah khan a bilh tel vek tak tak angem? Tih pawh ngaihtuah tham tak a ni. Ṭhenkhat lahin a tak ang maiin an ziak a, a tak tak emaw te kan ti a, a lem a lo ni si…min bum a ni. Chungho chu an rilna aiin pawnlanga mawina an dah thiamna kha ngaihsan a ni leh lawi ṭhin ni awm tak a ni. Art hian rilna leh pawnlânna a keng tel a nih dawn hi!

Artist kutchhuak ṭhenkhat chu Commercial Art te an tihsak leh lawi a, Pop-Art ti te pawhin an sawi emaw ni… ṭawngkam hrang hrang, hrilhfiah dan hrang hrang, pawm dan hrang hrang hi a tam na laileng. Ngaihtuah ngun poh leh min tibuai a. Ngaihtuahna seng miahloa en erawh a pamhmai leh lawi bawk si.

Mi ṭhenkhat kutchhuak chu han en ila a mawiin a nalh nghal êm êm mai a, an rawng chi thlak te, an ziak dan phung leh chul mam dan ten mi a lemin ngaihno a bei nghal êm êm mai a, a tak a an viau phei chuan “a van mawi êm êm, thlalak ang mai a lawm…” an tia. Ṭhenkhat kutchhuak ve thung erawh chu naupang ziak emaw tih mai tur khawpa lemziak sikhaw, han thlek thuaka “engemaw ni le?” tih tur, en chet cheta thil eng emaw riau awma ngaih theih, kalsawn san hnu pawha ral aṭanga thlek leh zeuha, “sawta mi kha…a mak e…eng nge le…” tih ngai, va ennawn leh nge nge ngai chi te a awm a. Ennawn hnuah pawh “eng tak chu ni maw” tia ngaihtuah chunga lu thak lo pui hiah nauh nauh ngai, a ziaktu ziakchhan tur awm ang dawn vang vang chung pawha engnge a nih ngaihtuah fêt ngai a awm ṭhin. A ziaktu rilru leh ngaihtuahna ṭawmpui thiam thei tura en chuan eng pawh mai hi a lo hmuhnawmin, a lo hlu êm êm vek mai dawn a lo ni.

Kumthar Titi – Art leh a kaihhnawih. Jan. 4, 2018 @Art Novelty Gallery, Chaltlang

Mizo Senior Artist, Pa Tlanga (Tlangrokhuma) hnen aṭanga finna dawn tumin tum tam fe chu an Inah ka lenchilh tawh a, painting en dan te leh a kalhmang eng eng emaw hi chu min hrilh fo ṭhin a. Mizo painting ka duhkhawploh (ve rikngawtna!) te pawh zak lek lovin kan sawi ve thlazen bawk a. Art ka hmangaih vang nge, ka ngainat vang nge, ka phunchiar vang? Tih pawh ka hrethiam chiah lo.

Tun hnaiah Artist dang, Pi Amoii, Tv. Thlana, Pu Isaac-a leh Pu Hriata te nen kan inhmelhriat ve leh a, anni kiangah pawh chuan hre ber niawma ti ti vawrh hluai chang ka ngah ngang mai. Selna leh fakna a inchhawk zut mai. Tlangval damrei phunchiar…min ti pawh ni se a mawh lo ve!

Mizo Artist – Pu Isaac, Most Rev. Stephen Rotluanga leh Tv. Thlanchhuaha te nen, “Aizawl Art Festival” Dec. 13, 2017 @Art Novelty Gallery, Chaltlang

Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan hi Fine Art lama zirna hmun hmingthang pawl tak a ni awm e, a dintu Tagore-a te chhungkua avang pawh a ni maithei bawk. Santiniketan-ah hian Fine Art zir mek leh zir chhuak tawh Mizofa an awm ve nual a. Kum 2017-ah thildang buaipuiin ka inziak lut ve a, University-a ka kal chang hian Fine Art zirlai te nen kan inkawm ber ṭhin. Kimtea, John-a leh Jubala te ho kiangah Fine Art nia ka hriat ve te ka sep rawtui ve chiam chiam thin a… a sawi tui berah ka ṭang a, ka fuih e te ka ti a, a chang leh ka rawn thul…zan mut dawna ka ngaihtuah let chang erawh chuan ka zak ve leh deuh a, a tukah a ngai te bawkin bul ṭantuah bawk ka ṭang leh ṭhin…kan bula awm ve Physical Education zir mêk, Mahruaia leh Thara te tan khan a lo ninawm hrep awm asin. Santiniketan-a Mizofa te nen hian Santiniketan aṭanga chhuak tho, Mizo zinga Sculpturing lama degree nei hmasa ber, James-a, zara inhria kan ni.

Santiniketan titi kha ka ngaihtuah let fo ṭhin a, dang nal ber nih avanga sawi thui thei deuh ber kha ka niin ka inhria…Artist dang te leh artist te kutchhuak ngaisang ve thotu dang te nena kan titi te ngun taka ka ngiahtuah let hian “bel ruak apiang a ri ring” tih thufing kha ka hrechhuak fo ṭhin bawk. Fine Art lama ka hriatna pawn lawi zia te, ka thiam loh zia te ka inhre chhuak uar uar a, chutih rual chuan Artist tak tak te dawhtheih zia ka ngaihtuah chhuak bawk.

Kum 2016-a Zemabawk Branch KTP Diamond Jubilee lawmna chikhatah KTP member te tan “On the Spot Painting Competition” neih a ni a, thupui thlan sa “Ngaihtuahna” tih hmangin he thil hi ka ziak ve chiam pek a. Mawi an ti lo kha chu ka hrethiama, “lehkha chhia” emaw an ti kher kha chu ka la na ve det! lewll… Artist te tihdanin – Water Colour on paper…te pawh han ti ve ila :p

“Art Lover” nih theih dan tehkhawng hi a awm emaw ka hre lo a, a eng chin hi nge art lover-a chhiar tur ni a, eng nge hlen ngai? Ramri kham a awm em? Ka hre lo. Amaherawhchu “Art Lover” tih hi ka hmang fo a, a chang phei chuan ni ve hial te pawhin ka inhre ve deuh ṭhin a, ka inchhal ve fo bawk a. Art Exhibition tlawh chin te, Art Gallery tlawh chin te, Art Gallery-a a ruka thla lakpui chin te, Artist te titipui chiam chin te hi “Art Lover” nihna tura tehkhawng ni ta se ka hnaih ve viau mai thei. Artist te ngaihsan leh a kutchhuak te ngaihhlut kawng zawnga teh ni ta se anmahni chu ka ngaisang, an kutchhuak pawh, mahse pakhat te pawh ka la lei sak lo! Ka va tla leh si awm em!

Art Gallery, Nagaland State Museum, Kohima. Mar. 18, 2006. (A ruka lak :v)

Hetiang taka Visual Art lama ngawng, hawkdak vanga thlir satliah hian Art Lover nihna ropui tak hi ka phu reng em? Mawi, nalh, hmuhnawm, ngaihnawm, ngainatawm tih avanga he thil hi hlawh chi a ni em? Lal Isuan zirtir Petera hnenah “…hengte ai hian min hmangaih zawk em?” tia vawi 2 zet a zawha Peter-an, “Ka ngaina che tih i hria e…” tia a chhan hnua, “…min ngaina em?” tia Isua zawhna, “ka ngaina che tih i hria e…” tia lunngai taka Petera’n a chhang ang deuh khan, “Visual Art hi ka ngaina tih in hria e.”

KA U

Ka nu leh pa te, ka pi leh pu te leh laina hnai, a thiantha te hi chuan “Mâ-a” an tia, a then chuan “Ngheta, Lalnghet, Manghet” an ti bawk. Mahse keini chuan “Ka U” kan ti thin. A hming pum chu “C. Vanlalngheta” a ni.

Ka U kan tih chuan kan u Mâ-a kan sawina a ni a, midang sawi nan kan hmang ngai lo. Ka U sawi nan chauh kan hmang, ka u tan liau liau a ni.

Kan naupan laiin Gauhati-ah lehkha a zir thina, kumkhatah vawi 1 te a rawn haw thin. Ka U rawn haw hi kan nghakhlel hle thin a; toys min hawnsak thin avangin. Tin, a chhukthlak leh dawnah pawisa nawi min sem thin bawk. Tumkhat chu racing car min hawnsaka, a tha ngang mai, sipai no bengtung khata tui kan dah hian a su thlu tawp thei. Ka thianten an awt ve thin khawpa,
“Khawia mi nge?”

“Ka U min hawn…”

Ka U khan a zirlai a zir zawh khan hna a hmu nghal maia, Khawzawlah an post-a, Durtlangah te, Champhaiah te. Tum khat chu a hnathawhna hmun atanga a rawn haw dawn hian truck tein an rawn chhuka, chumia phurh tur chuan Ka u Hriata ten Tuirial kawnga mi Changel an lo sat teuh mai a. Zanah phur turin kan zuk chhuka, Tuirial kawng chhiat vanglai tak a ni. A hnungah kan chuanga, naupang ta chu kan zun te a lo chhuak maia, a din det lai chuan kan zung hmanhmawha, a tlan leh ta mai sia, kawngchhiaa a insawh tak tak kha chu ka chal ka zunkhum lo chauh a ni. Khami tum kha Ka U motor khalha ka chuan hmasak ber a ni.

Oct. 30, 1993 (Inrinni): Ka U te inneih. An thiante – U Hmangaiha leh U Manuni

Champhaia a awm lai hian U Mapuii nen an innei a. Chawlh a neih theih mai loh avangin “duty” pahin a rawn chhuka, Oct. 30, 1993 inrinniah Zemabawk Kohhran Biak Inah an inkutsuih a, nuam kan van ti tak em. Ka U nupui neih ni zet kha chu.

A fa te pathum hi a ngaihsak em em a. An sen lai deuh hian ka nau Mary hi nau awm turin an inah a leng chho a. A fate chanchin ngaihven hian chhunah vawi engemaw zat a phone…chu chu ka U-in nitina a tihdan a ni. A fapa Joshua lehkha zir buaipuii tum engemaw zat ka zinpui a, kan chanchin ngaihvenin min rawn call fo thin, ka U hian.

Jan. 5, 2017 (Ningani): Ka u te chhungkua leh ka nu leh pa te

Ka U hi tawngtam lo tak, mi kawm tam lo, ina awm deuh chawt chi a ni a. An Ina len luh chang pawh hian min be tam lem lo. Kan thutna sirah ngawi rengin a lo thu ve mai thin. Inpui min rawn tlawh pawh hian sawi tur a nei ngai meuh lo. Mahse ka u Hriata fate emaw, Mary fate emaw an awm erawh chuan a fiam nasa thin hle thung.

Oct. 23, 2014 (Ningani): Ka U Rammuana nupui neiha kan chhungkaw thlalak

Ka U-in min rawn tlawh chang hian a titi bawrh bawrh ri ka hre ngai lem lo, aw then dan bik erawh a nei…a aw then dan atangin ka U-in min rawn tlawh tih kan hre nghal mai thin. Ka U aw thian ri khan min tihlim em em thin.

Nov. 7, 2017 zanah chhungkua kan inhmukhawma, prog. dang ka neih avangin ka kal hmasa zawka. Ina ka let leh meuh chuan a lo awm reng tawh a. Inpawh takin kan titi a, khami zan kha chuan a aw thian ri aiin a tawng ri kan hre tam zawka, khatiang reng renga a tawng nasat kha ka la hre ngailoa, ka hre leh tawh dawn bawk hek lo.

Ka U aw thian ri khan min thlamuan thin a, kan kiangah a awm a ni tih kan hre thin. Ka U aia fel hi mi tam takin u an nei ang, ka u aia sual u nei pawh an awm teuh bawk ang. Mahse Ka U ang U, a aw thian ri ringawt pawh a nauten an thlamuanpui êm êm U nei ve hi an awm kher lovang!

Dec. 16, 2017 zing dar 7:47-ah U Mapuiin min rawn call-a, ka U an kaihthawh zawh loh thu min rawn hrilh a. Ka chhungte leh hrilh awm hrang hrang, ka hriatchhuah mai theih te ka hrilh nghala, an chenna lam panin kan chhuak taa. NH 54 an siamthat lai, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi-an Aizawl a rawn chhun pelh ni tak a nih avangin kan thleng lawk theilo.

Kan thlen chuan an khumah an lo zalha, a awm lamah tawlhloh puanin an khuha, a kawng a chin hnuailam pawncheiin an khuh bawk. Ni dang ang chu nise engmah sawi lem lovin a kiai suk anga, kan thutna piah deuhah a thu ve mai ang a, a khat tawkin a aw a thian ang. Mahse chutiang tur chu a awm ta lo! Ka U aw thian ri hriat tur a awm lova, tap thawm, amah ngaia thlabar tap thawm ri a ni kan hriat ni. Ka U taksa chu kan zingah la awm mahse vuiliam mai tura buatsaih mek, a ruang chauh kan chang ta.

Thihna hi tu chungah pawh thleng thei leh thleng tur a ni a, kan chungah, kan chhungkaw chungah pawh a la thleng vek dawn tih pawh kan hria; mihring tana vawi khat thih ruattu hi kan Pathian a ni tlat! Mahse lusun tura inpeih tumah kan awm lova, lusun tura chak tawk lah kan awm hek lo. A fa u te 2, Rachel leh Joshua te awm loh lai, a ruang pawh an rawn nan ngaihna awm lo kher khera min liamsan erawh a na a ni. Ka U hian a fate a hmangaih a, amah thlahliam tur pawh hian a fate aia thlan a nei lovang.

Mahse Ka U kha pa inthlahrung ngang kha a nia, a fate lungngai hmel leh hrehawm hmel hmuh kha a duh lo bur thin. Chuvangin hetianga a kal mai hi Pathianin a remti zawk te pawh a nia nge.

Unau Portrait leh Family portrait lak leh hunah chuan all pair-in kan la tawh ang, tia intiam kha kan ni a, mahse engtikah mah he hun hi kan thleng dawn ta lo a ni!

Ayubhowan: A Ceylon Diary

There’s a hymn by Reginald Heber (1783-1826) we used to sing, which read –

“What though the spicy breezes, Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle…”

Since then, the name Ceylon has been lingering in my mind. The Lord showed His mercy on me, and giveth me the privileged to experience the spicy breezes that blow across the Indian Ocean, for a week. Like the hymnodist said, it was a beautiful country, which earnestly longed and sacrificed for peace.

Yet again, my camera was my diary, it freezes those moments, that portray Sri Lanka, the nation, that wished me “Ayubhowan” (May you live long).

Deities of the Kohomba

A twin percussionists played the Geta Beraya in a vibrant rhythm. The dancers swirl and swing to the groove of the percussions, and occasionally sang the vannam (a kind of recitation). Most vannam describe the behaviour of animals.

Kandyan dance is believed to originate from the dance performed by the deities of Kohomba in central Sri Lanka.

A group of dancer performing the Kandyan dance

The innaugural procession of the SACYN 2017 was led by these dynamic Kandyan dancers.

Family matter

A sweet smile was their response, as I point my lens towards them, a Sinhalese family. All through the week, I have noticed that the Sinhalese communities are a happy community.

A Sinhalese family – their simple gesture makes me feel at home

One of the major battles the Sri Lankan’s are facing is the battle, with nature, for land. Impact of climate change has been suffered by the country. Submerging of land is one of the major impacts. Land dispute between the Government and the citizens, especially the grassroots is another battle they are fighting. Submerging of land and the 30 years’ war the country had gone through enhanced the dispute.

All these internal conflicts and disputes are a family matters of the country. But climate change…its a matter of the earthlings as a whole!

Life along the Salt Canal

Reclamation and submerging of lands has always been a subject in an Island ecosystem. Several lands are often washed off or submerged by the sea waters. The Muthurajawela wetland in Negambo, Sri Lanka is also among those, often submerged by salt water. A canal was built by the British to drain the salt water in 1802 and named it Hamilton Canal (aka Dutch Canal). At present, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.

Houses are constructed along the canal, leaving only a narrow footpath, without a railing. It seems the settlers are well adapted to it, and never fell into the canal. On the contrary, I was told that a few moments before I shot this photo, a three-wheeler fell in it, but from the other side of the canal.

Fisherman’s agony
Fishing industry is one of the most blooming industries in the Sri Lankan economy. The government has envisioned a large scale fishing industry.At present, the fishing community comprises of the traditional fishing community with an improvised or modernised oruvas (sailing canoe). These fishermen are the grassroots of the society, continuing the fishing legacy for more than a century.

The Government’s new policy on the fishing industry is not so welcomed by them, as they have a suspicion that they will be overthrown by the corporate. The National Fishery Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) endlessly fights for the rights of the fishing community.

If the policy is empowered, not only the grassroots will suffer, but the method adopted by the fishing industry is detrimental to the environment; increasing the rate of erosion and submerging of coastal low lands. Fighting against both the climate change and the policy agonised the fisherman.

Fading glory

As the government is eyeing to enlarge the fishing industry, the traditional fishing communities, the grassroots of the society, are in despair. To them, fishing is not only a passion, but a life and a legacy.

With the advent of the corporate equipped with hi-tech fishing gears, the fishing legacy of the indigenous community is fading day by day, dwindling year after year.

A wife helped her fisherman-husband in picking the fishes and the crustaceans entangled in the net. Women play an active role in fighting for the rights of the fisherman.

There will be times when the traditional fishing technique will be seen only through art works, when the oruvas is only a museum collection. When those times come, they’ll ponder upon the good old days, their glorious days that fade…

Sanguine

After hearing all the country’s dark side, I met this young boy, who just came back from school. He was neither bothered by the past nor the future, but enjoyed the present. A confident smile was his reaction to the lens being aimed at him.

A Jolly and confident young boy of Negambo city.

He might not understand the struggle that the Lankan’s had gone through. He might not be aware of the bloody war that was fought. The consequences of the war were beyond his perception. But he’s enjoying the moment, he’s the new generation, a generation of peace and tranquility.

Walking the Negambo City

Negambo is a City on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. It is famous for its lagoon and beach.

A Lottery counter on the roadside had an ample amount of customers.

Street food- Almost all the food items contained at least a few pinched of sea food.

We were relentlessly searching for a street food hawker. We finally managed to find this guy. He might be a Sri Lankan Tamil, and the fruits that he hanged suggested he’s a Hindu.

The internal politics of the country is beyond our knowledge. Many blamed the Government for not providing sufficient humanitarian aid to the civil war refugee. This picture, reminded me of those that still suffered the consequences of the civil war.

On the contrary, this Tamil gentleman gestured the sign of peace. Ironically, the Sri Lankan Civil War was fought between the Tamil separatist and the Sri Lankan Government.

Devotion
As she finished her noon prayer, a believer rejoicingly left the Church. She was sitting and praying at the back pew. She was wearing a hearing aid. I, oftenly, used to think that what the mainstream society called differently-abled are more devoted and consecrated to their faith.

St. Stephen’s Church has a long history. Built in 1877 and consecrated on Jul. 31, 1880, was declared as Archaeological protected monument in 2011; and it belongs to the Anglican Church.

I bid goodbye to Sri Lanka on Oct. 14, 2017.

“Ayubhowan, Sri Lanka”

Strollin’ the City of Joy

Sitting on a bench along the footpath, besides the chai-wala, he was waiting for a cup of tea and stared at the busy narrow street in front of him. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

For many years, Kolkata has been the destination for many street photography enthusiast. “The City of Joy,” a sobriquet given to Kolkata, is quite matching. The vibrancy and liveliness of the City is a thing worthy to be witnessed. The city’s rich cultural heritage and a highly diverse anthropogenic activities are so immense that every moment is a golden moment. Every street has its own uniqueness.

Zebra Crossing at AJC Bose Road, near Mother House. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

There are different modes of transportation in function. Some drove a luxurious cars, some ride on a cycle rickshaw. Some ride on a metro, some on a tram. The robust ambassador taxi ruled the streets of the city of joy. With the advent of online booking system, Uber and Ola marked their entry in the city’s traffic with a modern vehicles. Electric tram has still been one of the identity of Kolkata.

A young street barber taking care of his customer. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

Walking on the streets of Kolkata is like watching a timelapse video. Crossing each junction will lead you to a whole new different scene. The faster you walk, the faster you came across uniquely different things. From roadside barbers to roadside dentist. Almost everything happened on the roadside.

Muri Wala roasting chana. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

The best thing about Kolkata is the street food. Muri and chana are one of the finest, yet cheap fastfood available.

A Chai-wala at Chandni Chawk. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

The tea offered by the City’s roadside Chai Wala’s are far more tastier than those offered by hi-fi restaurants. Nothing beats the aroma of the freshly prepared tea, poured on an earthen cup.

Beef market, Alimuddin Street. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

Though the country is in dilemma over the abolition of beef, Kolkata offers you the finest beef. The amount of protein the city consumed through beef would definitely be enormous!

Besides the butcher, a bull was enjoying its last meal. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

Even though Kolkata is dominated by the non-beef eating sect, they do not impose any hindrances to the beef eating community.

Meat shop at Alimuddin Street. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

The way they display the meat is another fascinating thing about the meat shop here at Alimuddin street.

Fish seedlings seller at Howrah Train Station. [Asus Zenfone 3M]

Crowded but dynamic, the City of Joy never stops. The Howrah Junction Railway Station has 23 platforms, and is the busiest and most crowded train station in India.