Subtle awakenings-Remembering Rishikesh at Apollonia

Posted on April 12, 2009 by prashant bhatt

apollonia-sea-2

apollonia-sea

Apollonia (modern day Susa)-Eastern Libya

 

The sea sketches in it’s own way. Ever since I took up photography and sketching

in a bit more systematic way, new things have opened up even in routine.

 

Add to that, the music of sounds, (which you cannot hear in this sequence) or the

scent of sea air mixed with sand and the views of the hills nearby where mountain air

gives a distinct scent of sea-mountain and we have a lovely blend.

 

This feeling was what I first got when I would go for walks past the Ganga in

the Rishikesh region of India, where the great river first comes out from the Himalayas

to merge with the plains.

 

The scents, sounds, and sights all make a symphony….it started a while ago, and the

process is maturing, churning and enriching.

 

6-rishikesh

 

 

The Ganga weaving it’s way through the Himalayas

 

 

Studying some of the works and underlying themes of works of art can be an uplifting exercise. Subtle is the penetrating influence of art. We, who live in the physical nature, are unable to feel it readily. Sketching can open some of these windows. Can the baton charge of moral codes and religious scriptures awaken the subtle inner nature?

 

 

 

 

 

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Regatta

Posted on April 1, 2009 by prashant bhatt

regatta-tripoli

Coffee at Regatta, Tripoli. …It is spring

spring-reggatta-tripoli

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Regilla at Giza

Posted on March 31, 2009 by prashant bhatt

regilla-at-giza

Regilla at Giza-Though I do not smoke regularly,the scented tobacco has a different feel which one can try.

The guide made a student’s pass for me. That saves you a lot of entry fees. In that one move, he more than compensated his fees.

 

He also introduced me to the Step-Pyramids of Saqqara which are older than the famous larger pyramids of Giza.

 

“40 years of history is facing you” Napoleon is supposed to have told his soldiers when they faced the Giza pyramids.

 

Recently heard the French philosopher Alain Badiou on Hardtalk- “There are many Frances within France. We have the Paris commune but also the history of reactionary suppression of these victories and struggles of the working class.”

 

The hero of the 1968 barricades was speaking, reminding me of what Rosa Luxemburg’s words. “ ….in a class society each class of the nation strives to ‘determine itself’ in a different fashion”

 

There is a subculture rife over here, which seeks answers. You meet them in the Cairo cafés. They may not be able to define the answers, but in asking the questions, in their own ways, they try to find new beginnings.

 

After Saqqarra, Giza, and some ‘forced shopping’ (one has to be a bit careful if you go individually with a guide..it can be tricky, and I would not recommend it. Personally, though the experience was overall a positive one, it would be more balanced if there were a few more persons in the group. Going all on your own is not recommended).

 

We ended the day with some Regilla

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