HERE I AM FOLKS

Hi all...it is kumar and i think i blogged in these spaces before almost six months...Been a bit busy..will start afresh now..now that the summer is over...You can also visit my blog space kumartks.blogspot.com..and leave your valuable foot prints

My dad is a Kingmaker

The craftsmen from Rajasthan who have settled in roadside settlements on the Tharamani Road at Palavakkam, make various dolls and crafts from clay and papier-mache. Their recent addition are totems of kings and queens made from the trunks of coconut trees. These can add an earthly element anywhere from your garden to your study room. When i went there, one of the craftsmen's child happily struck a pose with the new arrivals.

The 20-20 fever. Shane Warne or Murali, here comes the new spinner.

On the way to Chengleput, a right turn, you reach two hill temples one dedicated to Lord Siva and the other to Lord Vishnu. This majestic idol of Lord Hanuman welcomes you to show the way to these hill temples.

Pillayar.....

Pillayar.. the very name brings a sense of fondness and love when we think of the chubby and cuddly elephantine God, Lord Ganesh. He is everyone's favourite. Revered as the remover of all obstacles, He is to be worshipped first before the beginning of any holy ritual. I drew this Pillayar from a painting of popular Gods and Goddesses painter, Shri. Padmavasan.

A visit to Vivekanadar Illam

Hi All!

I'd been to the Vivekanandar Illam last Saturday. I felt ashamed for having missed such a historic place all these years, having stayed in Chennai. Its also known as the 'Ice House' as the house was originally built by an American who used it store ice.

The view of the Vivekanandar Illam from outside

This is the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed for 10 days when he visited the then Madras. It also takes pride in being the first Ramakrishna Mutt Establishment in South India. The house has three floors. In the ground floor, is the history of the Ice House. Photographic records of how the Ice house became Castle Kernan and then Marine Mansion before it finally became to be known as Vivekanandar Illam.

In the First Floor, there is an exhibition of 43 paintings that portrays the History of the cultural heritage of our beloved India and talks about her pristine glory in the ancient times. After having seen the exhibits, one round, one feels as if Swami Vivekananda calls us to restore our motherland to her Glory once more. There is also a small library in the first floor that hosts a variety of wonderful eye opener books for one and all.

In the second floor, there is a photographic exhibit of Swami Vivekananda, right from his childhood. How he was when he was a student of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, then how he started life as a monk, his visit to London, and the United States. There are also photos depicting Swamiji during his life as a Parivrajaka, a wandering monk who travelled across the length and breadth of India on foot, carrying with him neither money nor food. One can come acroos the most beautiful and rare captures of the great Swami Vivekananda. The second floor also houses a small Meditation Hall.

At the entrance with my friend, Balu

The Vivekanandar Illam is situated on the beach road. It is my humble and sincere request that everyone in Chennai must visit this place. No matter how old you are, you'll be able to feel the responsibility that we all share in preserving the culture of our nation. You'll be too happy for having visited this place and you'll be proud that you are an Indian, for such is the richness that our nation has. The next time, someone asks me what are the places to be seen in Chennai, "Vivekanandar Illam" is on my list.

Dhyanalingam

Hi All!

Recently, I'd been to the Dhyanalinga Ashram of the Isha Yoga Foundation, located at the Velliangiri Hills on the outskirts of Coimbatore. It was a very beautiful place. A place dedicated to meditation and mental refuge. A few snaps that I'd like to share.

The outer geometry of the Dhyanalinga Shrine

The sculpture depicting the 3 states of the human mind

The forest surrounding the Ashram

A snapshot from the Ferry by which I was traveling.

St. Francis Church

Athirampally Falls

This is Athirampally Falls, also famous for being shot in a film("Punnagai Mannan"). This was taken when I had been on a tour in Kerala from our college.

Jalakandeswar temple, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

Inside Vellore Fort. Taken with Samsung Mobile phone camera.

Vagabond, Miles to go.

Very rarely we see the beach station (Suburban) so empty.

After the rain has fallen!!!

Hi All!! Rain... the very word creates a collage of thunder muffles, showers, roadside puddles, raincoats and umbrellas, roof top patters, paper boats, the warmth of the blanket at bed, the sipo of a hot coffee and many more. Standing fresh after a soak in the rain was my garden and displayed here are two snaps of raindrops on a flower. The beauty of raindrops on plant surfaces is that they do not stick but just appear like colourless water blobs. Hope everyone likes it!!