In the treasure of surreal experiences

At the entrance of Ramoji Film City,Hyderabad

According to the history, I was standing at the bloodcurdling battlefield of the Nizams, the witness of innumerable bloodshed and ironically turned to a place of surreal fun and great amusement. It was very astonishing to see destiny of the battle field, where the stuntmen were engaged in unscathed fighting. Time has abrogated the battlefield that mercilessly outraged numerous dreams, presently a famous tourist spot and a place for fabricating dreams i.e. making cinemas.

The treasure of surprises,Ramoji Film City,Hyderabad

On the outset of our day out, as we entered the Ramoji Film City of Hyderabad, surrounded by hills of scenic treasures, the scenario inside huge gate of the film city immediately eloped us mentally as well as physically with the galore of surprises.

The set of Palace,Ramoji Film City

Experiencing the world of films, rather on the way to explore the fairy land made us run behind the surprises, completely ignorant about the surrounding. A troupe of dancers was performing under a shed, suddenly I discovered an eight feet tall man standing relaxed or sometime it was Spiderman or many other things to mention. The joy ride through the scintillating land of wonders, the place where the lessons on the art of movie making could be learnt very casually, inside the sets of the exquisite palatial buildings it was like a warehouse from inside.

The chariot of joy ride,Ramoji Film City

The joy rides through the film city were offered frequently with a running commentary. I thought it would be a usual passenger bus. The vintage looking spectacular bus noticed our attention from the first appearance; even the entry gate was also differently designed. The fascinating journey began through the imaginary town of very tidy roads with artificial multi-storeyed buildings, artificial palaces, beautiful gardens, series of jails, somewhere it was a hospital, places of worship or it was a rail station, an air port.

through the filmy town ship,Ramoji Film City

The trip swept away the tiring routine of our hackneyed daily life and created resound predilection in my life time memory. We were perplexed and open mouthed by their innovative thinking of wayward surprises. The reserve bank of fantastic experiences filled our mind with inestimable delectation.

filmy jail,Ramoji Film City

Reasons of Hyderbad visit are ad infinitum, for its exotic historic places, monument, for wide range of delicacies of ethnic food, for the pearl jewelleries, to experience its acclaimed prosperity in the field of information and technology, to feel the warmth of the people, and of course not to miss The Ramoji Film City.

the magic doll,Ramoji Film City

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The Ramoji film city, can be visited while staying in Hyderabad.

Through the corridor of tranquillity

View of the forest,Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,Siliguri

Was that a scream of peacock? I made everybody silent to hear the screaming peacock. In the fascinating thicket of total silence, only the skittish movement of butterflies on the anther could be seen. Somewhere it was only the dripping sound of the water drops falling on the leaves and somewhere it was only the cricket`s call coming out of the vague visibility of the extreme core of the bushes with the reverberation, spreading all over in the kingdom of silence. Sometimes, like getting scared on envisaging the shadow of tuskers behind the camouflage of thick bushes, somewhere it was river Mahananda, where an eternal peace was felt, dousing the feet into the indefatigable fluvial flow of glacial cold water.

At the entry gate of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,Siliguri

Saw the deer, that was kept in an enclosure, was busy in eating the fodder, repeatedly came back after it was released it in the core forest. Some thing was there in its innocuous dark eyes, was that a complaint against the rapacious civilization? Was a death threat? Or complaining of the apathy towards the shrinking wilderness and building blockade on the corridors of the wild animals? I am still asking myself.

The captivated wild at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

The scenario of shading the shrivelled leaves by a gentle breeze, also bring the sound of forlorn whispers, of shrinking wilderness with increased urbanisation. The sound of frustrations comes in the murmurs of the withered leaves. Are we heading towards a civilization where the wild animals could be seen stuffed in the museums only? The espying alarm call of the deer coming from the deep forest made me alert, thinking of the multitudes of predatory animals. It was time to depart, from the vicinity of tranquillity and prayed to god for the fascinating scenic treasure to extricate it from the curse of getting shrunk. We took the road to home, the setting Sun spattered its lovely hue all over the sky, like it was set ablaze. It was an appeasing darkness in the forest, after truly “experiencing another world”.

The awareness Park at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, through which the Toy train of Darjeeling, began its journey towards history. The train journeys give a feeling of a railway safari ride till the Sevoke through the hypnotic environment. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary has an area, stretching over the hilly region of the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district. Rich with the flora and fauna is spread over an area of 161 sq. Kms. and very close to Siliguri town.

In the World of Handicrafts

The spectacular Sun set, through the thicket was so engrossing that, when it was over, I discovered myself amidst a total darkness and the shutters of the handicraft centre of Aamar Kutir were likely to come down. Aamar Kutir Society for Rural Development located very close to the Shantiniketan of Birbhum. The centre was established before Indian independence and was providing a livelihood to several families, directly or indirectly involved with the society. Peeped through the window of the leather batik manufacturing unit and asked for their permission to enter and that was readily granted by the ardent workers who were tirelessly engaged in their work. The efforts of the workers even after a day’s hard work could be seen from their body language and they were not in mood to give up.

The tireless workers of Aamar Kutir,Shantiniketan,Birbhum

The warmth of their welcome was perceptible inside the room also. The arrangements for the leather batik centre, was all open to reveal its explicit techniques that modify a mere piece of leather into exotic handicrafts of glamorous colours.

Colour filling at Aamar Kutir center

The exploration began, to unfold the techniques of leather batik amongst some passionate workers, could not notice us or habituated with the visitors. The complete processes of leather batik comprise of few major steps. The leather pieces pass through the embossing unit where the traditional folk art or ethnic designs were imprinted, then the leather pieces were given specific shape, in the next part colour filling was done on application of some sorts of acid dye, then it was stitched and the finished products were stowed for the market. Unprompted stories or complete process of making of leather batik could be heard from the workers.

through the process at Aamar Kutir Batik center

The finished handicrafts were marketed within the premises and even exported. The manufactured products of diverse ethnic handicrafts were like galore of discriminating colours, from leather to cotton. The Batik of the Birbhum district adored worldwide, representing the ethos and rich heritage of India.

way to the market at aamar Kutir

In Shantiniketan, such small scale industries of handicraft were largely in existence and were even run by the local women from their home. The rural folks were also engaged in the venture and have generated a source of their income.

Batik print on sari,Shantiniketan

In Shantiniketan, I have visited the boutique of an energetic and innately talented old lady, was running her business from home. Her indubitable artistic works and creative ideas were reflected in every piece of her work. The exalting innovative ideas could be seen on design of kantha stitch, batik on cloth, and embroidery works, even the selection of colours, threads or everything were unique.

The perfect day out

The bright sunny day of stainless autumn sky in the backdrop of dazzling Kanchanjungha, the ingredients were perfectly matched for our day out in Kalimpong, with Yogesh. The young man was very relaxed to share his stories of life while driving the car.

the ultimate natural backdrop at Kalimpong

Dr. Graham`s home was eternally peaceful with its vast and picturesque landscape surrounded by the eye catching century old buildings. Previously known as the St. Andrew`s colonial homes and renamed Dr. Graham`s home, after the name of its founder, John Anderson Graham. The Scottish missionary, among his other contributions would continue to live in the mind of peoples of Kalimpong, for his relentless effort to educate the children of the weaker section of the society and effort to enlighten the local cultivators with modern techniques. The wide open surrounding of the Institution was established with the perspective of broad thinking, evoked the lines in my mind,
                   ..................... “Where the mind is led forward by thee
                                           Into ever-widening thought and action
                       Into that heaven of freedom, my father,let my country awake”
                                               
                                                               From the lines of the poem,
                                 Where the mind is without fear by Rabindranath Tagore

Dr.Graham`s home,Kalimpong

Rabindranath Tagore visited the historic Institution and amidst the serene vast landscapes with heavenly tranquility the two great men had their communions.

the building inside the premises,Kalimpong

Yogesh was very keen for my complete sightseeing in Kalimpong before the dusk. He was certain that Chitra Bhanu was the house where Rabindranath Tagore used to spend his days in Kalimpong. He said every time he came, he found it was locked. The fact was, Chitrabhanu was no longer an existing property of the Tagore family though it was constructed by Pratima Devi, daughter-in-law of Rabindranath Tagore and visitors entry were restricted after it was acquired by the Education Directorate of the state,in 1965.
Yogesh was unaware; actually it was Gouripur House, where Rabindranath Tagore, the great litterateur, did spend his days in Kalimpong on few occasions, and he inaugurated the live broadcast of the All India Radio from Kalimpong. In spite of his illness, Rabindranath Tagore, visited Kalimpong for the last time in 1941, and was taken to Kolkata from the Gouripur house, after he was seriously ill. Construction of Chitra Bhanu was complete after Rabindranath Tagore`s death.

in front of Chitra-Bhanu,Kalimpong

Kalimpong was very attractive destination with its outstanding picturesque beauty to bask under the munificent environment. The unique architectural buildings of Dr. Graham`s home with its hypnotic environment was speechlessly mesmeric and still indelibly engrossed in my mind. At the same time it was very unfortunate; “Gouripur house” was not a familiar name even among the local residents. Gouripur house would have the same importance as Dr.Graham`s home, from the tourism point of view and at the same time, deep concern was required in preserving the memories of our Nobel laureate.

The god, in the attire of an army

The SUV started to scale the serpentine turns with steep gradients through the mountains and the journey was likely to bring out the little amount of food still remained in the stomach. The scattered ranges of the mountain peaks were wrapped in the milky white snow. The charming scenario with glacial cold was presenting the most unpredictable piece of weather. With almost every turn, it was playing hide and seek, somewhere the vision was getting hijacked by the thick cloud of fog and somewhere the Sun was peeking at us.

the entry gate

We were on our way to visit the temple of Baba Harbhajan Singh or popularly known as Baba Mandir of Sikkim. On the arduous journey, I saw an army truck, with a young contingent of Indian army, where distinct marks of Sun burn could be seen on everybody`s skin. It was due to continuous exposure under the reflected Sun light; I had no idea before, that the marks of Sun burn could be so severe.

the Baba Harbhajan Singh temple

The temple of Baba Harbhajan Singh was closely located to Nathu-La, the international border between India and China and in the valley of natural fort of high mountains. Harbhajan Singh, the Indian Army man laid his life in 1968 after he was drowned into a hilly stream somewhere in this region.

inside view of the temple

The pleasant environment of the temple, with hypnotic surrounding slowly turned chirpy with the arrival of the tourist vehicles. In the Baba Mandir, the coloured portrait of a young Indian soldier i.e. Baba Harbhajan Singh in his olive uniform and turban was in worship, along with the Hindu and the Sikh gods. In the temple, worship arrangements for a god were more similar to the necessities of a man; rather it was a temple where the god, in the attire of an army officer was worshipped. A set of Indian military uniform were hanging at the corner of the temple, he was said to be still serving the army at the border even after his death and he would continue to serve till the date of his normal retirement. Several stories of humane as well as godly activities of Baba Harbhajan Singh could be heard and he has alerted the Indian army men before many untoward incidents. Large numbers of bottles of water were offered by the devotees, were said to gain magical powers.

snow clad mountain

The indefatigable energetic presence of the Indian Army could be seen in every inch of the serene premises of the temple. There may be some positive impetus, in the form of Baba Harbhajan Singh, or a source of energy that provides enough will power to keep the hurdles at bay or the strength of resolute courage to face the difficulties smilingly, in an uninhabited place, where apart from glacial cold a shortage of oxygen could always be felt due to high altitude. A prayer line could be seen at the temple, “Bless us Babaji.

Salar Jung Museum: History revisited

Is it possible to witness History? Standing at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, I found the place besieged by inexhaustible collections of historic and antique artefacts to replenish my love for the history. My eyes got perplexed like never before, by the multitudes of exotic collections of antiques and matchless masterpieces of art.
In Salar Jung museum amongst the numerous royal portraits, the coloured portrait of Siraz- ud- daula was a tryst with my misty child hood. Siraz- ud- daula was the last independent Nawab of Bengal of Afsar dynasty. The most common picture of the Nawab was a black and white portrait with a long sword hanging from the waist. In my child hood, on my frequent visits to the regal relic of the Nawabs of Murshidabad as well as to the museum of the Hazar- dwari, of Murshidabad , the story of the unethical murder of the Nawab after the battle of Plassey in 1757 did touch my heart deeply and I could visualize the extreme brutality and jealousy for power. Among the other unique exhibits of artefacts and weapons in the museum of the Hazar- duari, Murshidabad, the sword of the young Nawab, the horrific shiny knife by which he was stabbed, used to evoke my nightmare. The killing of the last Nawab of Bengal ensured the East India Company, England; smoothly pursue the loot over the unprotected wealth of India.

Salar Jung museum,Hyderabad

In the statue gallery at the Salar Jung museum, the wooden statue depicting the good and evil qualities in human being was worth appreciation, the statue of veiled Rebecca of Italy was like watching the creation of god before my eyes, experiencing the chimes in the huge clock of the Cook & Kelvey Co. of England was mesmeric.

at the Salar Jung museum,Hyderabad

The exquisite creations on Ivory, fascinating collections of carpets, ravishing furniture, mind blowing textiles, marvellous miniature designs and numerous other artefacts where the signature of uniqueness could be observed. It was like experiencing step by step, the way we stepped into the modern age. Once more before leaving the Salar Jung Museum, had a look on the portrait of Siraz -ud- daula.

logo of the museum,Hyderabad

We lost the possession of the Peacock Throne, Koh-I-Noor, and numerous other invaluable antiques, the precious possessions still remaining with us are match less, protection of our vulnerable artefacts is most necessary, for making the next generation conscious about our legacies of the past . Even today, our own antique artefacts are exhibited proudly in the museums of many countries.
It was time to leave the Salar Jung museum, the day was almost over and water of the river Musi was getting dark,towards the onset of an ensuing dusk.

Souvenirs of Puri

        The stupendous view of the Bay of Bengal was slowly getting subdued by the paced approach of the darkness. The glaring Sun lost its intrepid vigour and immersed into the horizon of the west. The endless bellow of the sea waves could only be heard in the dark. On the other side, another exuberant atmosphere was in the making, as the sea shore based business plazas were getting dressed for the evening. The beach side lights, decorated like sparkling garlands, started to glitter attractively, and it was the time to turn our attention towards another direction.

display of dresses

            The devoutly visit to the abode of Lord Jagannath was complete; long hours of sea bathing, and the sightseeing were over.
             On the outset of collecting the souvenirs of Puri, as well as the urge to purchase some of the articles of  the household, I was dragged to the heart of shopping plazas located at the ever chirpy premises of Swarga-dwar.

pile of Kotki cottons

           The available wide choices for mementoes were, from the Odishi printed clothes to different sweets. The outlets of Odishi printed cottons or Katki were selling their products with squashing demand. Varied dresses, ethnically printed bed sheets, saris, have large number of admirer, and the piles of stock could be seen to be sold out like evaporating instantly before the eyes.

view of stalls at the beach

           The stalls at the beach or at the footpath were selling various forms souvenirs with innovative design, even tiny key chains, locks, bangles, and Chinese toys were also seen to have their positions among the other mementoes of Puri.

sea shell items

           Exclusive shops of sea shell items were also doing fairly good business. It was rollicking business in every space with a bit haggle, but under a convivial atmosphere.

aluminium store

            The metallic artifacts were another exemplar of the ethnic memento. Mementoes in the form of aluminium or the other metallic articles could also be purchased from the reasonable number of exclusive shops. The aluminium made items were said to have manufactured at the NALCO factory of Odisha. The aluminium utensils and other metallic products have their distinguishing design.

souvenir

            The Puri-r Goja or Goja of Puri has been indubitable source of appeal for the sweet lover tourists. Goja, the typically shaped slight hard sweet, like crunchy biscuits, are made of wheat flour and sugar as their main ingredient that is dipped into sugar syrup after a deep fry. The Goja also offered before the Lord Jagannath, and the sweet has always been adored by the tourists and pilgrims of Puri. Exclusive stalls of Goja displayed attractively are very common scene especially at the Swarga-dwar. The eye catching sweets have inimitable taste, and I have seen that huge stacks of Goja to get exhausted instantly after they are displayed.

stalls of Goja

             My visit ended with the sweet memoirs, without too much crunch on the budget and obviously with the bags entirely tight packed with the souvenirs of Puri.