In the by-lanes of Dhobi Ghat.....

Mumbai has its own share of brutality, crime and vulgarity (lesser than Delhi). But it also has places to clean up things, minds, and CLOTHES. 2nd October being Gandhi Jayanti, (no better day to visit a bit of cleaning) I decided (with a equally work-less friend) to travel to a place called Dhobi Talao (Literally translating to Washer man's lake). The place is situated near Mahalakshmi Station on the Western railway line. Even though the name translates to Lake, there's no actual lake involved. For curious fellas, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhobi_Ghat

During the wait at the railway station, I managed to get some shots.

 The blind man's assistant

 The Canine's tools

 Reduced with plight, yet maintaining it's ground

 Your shiny boots, my Lifeline

An overview of the Dhobi Ghat, looking from above it seems to be kept hidden with clothes.

As soon as we entered the place, some people started staring at us and a man came running towards us. "Sir Photo nikalna hai ?(do you wan't to take photos?). As soon as we gave a affirmative nod, he said Rs.150 per person. I was amazed with how commercial things have become. From old times, when people used to wander aimlessly for free to charging for visiting laundromats, we have come a long way indeed. I thought let him earn and let us learn.

I just wanted to know that how the hell did the man get to know about us entering? This was answered as "Saab CCTV lagaya hai. Jaise hi koi baahar ka aata hai, hum ko phone aata hai" (Sir CCTVs have been installed and we are notified about any outsider's entry). I was completely amazed by the fact that CCTVs existed here.

The beginning consisted of a electric board, with all its wires sleeping over one another.

The guy guided us through the by-lanes, divulging information about the population (around 5000) to the sufferings, the festivals, Bollywood movie shoots, the water supply and things to be careful about Mostly the clothes arriving are from hospitals and companies. The Dhobi ghat works all around the year, except for Holi, when there is all play around.

Gathering some quality time with oneself

 Through the eyes of the  clothes

Our guide enlightened us about these rectangular partitions. A single rectangular block is called a stone (patthar in hindi) and there are people owning them. Currently a single block costs nothing less than 15 to 25 Lakh Rupees (1/4th of a Million rupees). The owner pays the washer-men working on his stone a daily wage. There are various sections, namely washing, bleaching, drying, Ironing etc.

  The blocks of life

 Something for the belly

 Draped on the clothesline

 Denims on display

Is something wrong?

 The hands against dirt

A glimpse of the inside

Work in progress

Our guide thought we were reporters, shooting an inside story on the dark side of Dhobi Ghat. He showed us some people who work with harsh chemicals to get clothes rid of each type of impurity. This is one of the workers' hand, dying like a flower's petals due to the harsh chemicals. The workers here are paid a meager wage of Rs.250 for a day's work. The working hours range to14 hours a day.

 The chemical hands

 Hanging by a thin thread

 Be Fair, even we want to be handsome

 Wheels in filth

There are many alleys inside, where the families prepare food, feed their children and store their goods. It's ironical to see the Cleaning people living in filth themselves. The alleys are wide and there are innumerable unused carts, Jute bags with Food grains, cycles lying around.

 Our guide in the alleys

 Covered in filth

 A desolated spot

Lighten up

 Surrounded by shadows

 A greek wedding theme

 Scrubbing the stains

 We wait for our turn to make yours clean (some workers' clothes)

 A bit of blind faith

 Generation gap

 Lighting to extinguish the hunger in the belly

 Oldies lying around

A family of clothes

Enjoying a break

This was the end of our journey through the by-lanes and filthy alleys of Dhobi Ghat. I had always been amused by the Dhobi ghat as an entity. With many films having it as a backdrop to it finding mention in novels on Mumbai, visiting Dhobi Ghat was a revelation in its own. All festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm and the people are really accommodating. Knowing about the people working here to the confluence of religions, this trip (though we had to cut it short) was an eye-opener. People from different strata of society, living together for their bread and butter is really a sight worth watching. 

With great power comes......

What does it feel like, to be powerful, authoritative, on the top? Definitely it doesn't make you stupid, illogical or dumb in the minutest sense. Powerful people are adored, looked up to in awe and worshiped as well.

This incident, which I am narrating happened recently. Mentioning that it happened recently is important, just to highlight that even today's powerful people can be stupid. I was traveling by a rickshaw (3 wheeler) some days back, when a adjacent rickshaw almost kissed our rickshaw. Our rickshaw driver was a bit furious and asked the kisser's driver about the kiss. Instead of saying sorry or at least acting apologetic, the other
driver got furious and asked our rickshaw driver to get lost (in beautiful words). This led to our rickshaw driver hurling some unknown expletives at him.

Now enters the protagonist, the dude, the Hero. He was a fat guy, in his mid twenties, shirt tucked in and stuff. He stopped the fight (woo hoo) and slapped our rickshaw driver. What!! Yeah he SLAPPED our rickshaw driver!! Now read closely to know the reason for taking this logic-defying step. He said "This is my uncle (the kisser rick's driver), you can get lost".

Our driver started arguing with him (obviously , he was slapped), the hero decided (he can do that too!!) that let's go to the police station and get things sorted. I appreciate the hero's guts, that even after doing something immensely stupid, he was willing to go to the police. He sat in our rickshaw and started talking to me. The first thing he blurted was that he was the Head of the Youth wing for a certain area for some political party. Damn!! Leader? Yeah I was shocked that he actually was that and secondly he thought that gave him a a right to act dumb and hit people for wrong reasons.

Later he boasted about it to the rickshaw driver and started arguing with him.The argument was so heated, that he asked the driver to stop and told us (me and my fellow passenger) to get down. He said that he will resolve the issue and that we may leave. He even apologized to us for the inconvenience. I was shocked by the unnecessary apology as well as at his incapability to handle issues (being a leader). If he would have politely asked our rickshaw driver to leave, when he intervened in the argument between the 2 drivers, the future would have been changed.

This is just a small incident that I witnessed. Millions must be suffering due to resting of power in the hands of such abominable creatures. Injustice is done to the poor and they live in a World of constant fear. Granting powers to people, who don't have even the slightest sense of responsibility, politeness and common sense is a serious issue and will lead to a crisis for sure.

I completely believe in democracy and really idolize some of the present politicians. But today politics in India (local as well as state) is mostly driven by money, greed and fearless authority. If I have power (in the Government), I have the right to act according to my whims, I need to show off my cars, my money, make people salute me, when I pass through. That is exactly what political power is not meant for. Then there are the powerful's relatives, friends, friends of friends, who need to act powerful, use their acquaintance in their favor and roam about with a "all achieved and all-mine" attitude.

Can there be something more dumb than this thinking? This kind of behavior and attitude is what we should uproot at the earliest. No post entitles you to behave in an unjust manner. The time when this would turn to be a trend is not far, and we won't be able to reverse the damage done.You should always fight against such wrong doings, whatever may be the cost to bear.

With great power comes great responsibility, and with responsibility should come sensibility. 

The Beauty who mesmerized me..............

Sometimes traveling to different places can offer experiences, never met before. I haven't been fortunate enough ever before, but this day changed it all. A small trip to a nearby temple, provided me with something that I would never forget.

People love, envy,appreciate and desire beautiful people and that's how beauty stays with us. I met one such beautiful being coincidentally. It's like you like to keep gazing at something and hate when you miss a moment. I managed to collect some moments, that I would treasure always. The moments may not be as beautiful as her (thanks to my camera!!), but still I would love to share it with you all. Let every beauty enthusiast get their dose administered.

 Look the way she keeps you stunned!!

 I felt like staying there forever.

We actually waited over there for an hour, but time dripped all at once!! Beauty lies everywhere around us, we just need to wait till it catches hold of our eyes. I have always believed simplicity is the most beautiful thing that existed, and today my belief transformed into reality!!

A conversation I will thrive on......

Language has always been a mode of communication for me, and not an issue of pride. There's nothing to boast if you get your "are" and "an" at the right place when you talk. It has been a mere piece of information, stored at the back of my mind, to use when I need to convey something.

But one fine (fine it wasn't..but still) day, I was a witness to give and take of one of the most intellectual pieces of information thrown (shared) ever. It was a rickshaw ride from point A to B. There were two fellow passengers(read working in same company,cool, awesome, amazing....) sharing the fare with me.

Guy 1: The humorous (he thought so), cool, observant guy
Guy 2: He is cooler, acts like a "know it all", been nowhere done everything kinda guy

As the rickshaw started, so started the the English rain..

Topic: Girls

Guy 1: I hate that Ri*** (hiding identities and not vulgarity). She talk my front good good, but insults my back. She is such a bi*** (now hidden for vulgarity), not like my mother, she loves me.

Guy 2: Dude, girls same everywhere. Even my Girlfriend insult my behind, but I don't give fuck. Leave her and life enjoy. Be like me, I told that girl, go to hell, she says same to you. Man, I said at least good English in anger.

Topic: Life

Guy 1: Life fast going, money slow. When enjoy and when relax? Want good car and wife and money and settle (all ands in the World)

Guy 2: Dude, Life like that. It fucks (remember he is more coolest!) Live big, have big, enjoy..my motto in life (people can live on wrong english).

The most amazing part of the conversation

Topic: Love

Guy 1: I loved girls, but now I not. I away fro girls. No girls wanted. Life silent but life good. Now wife only direct. No need of anything else. Mind fucked girls (he is getting cooler).

Guy 2: Dude, love fucks. I loved many girls, but now no...No means No..I happy like now forever.
love is devil...

I had my dose of English administered. English is a funny language, but not funnier than the people using it. It's just people like this, who have made living better, knowledgeable and awesome. English I love.

M J - An Immortal Enigma

 

I couldn't sketch him while he was alive, my bad. A different specie altogether, the legendary music enigma, which has intrigued, enthralled and lived to entertain...Michael Jackson. Don't know if he's the prince, the Emperor, or whatever above that, but will always be cherished as THE beauty of music. From the legendary moon walk, to the iconic crotch step, to the philanthropic work and having his own patented dance shoe, he conquered everything I have loved his songs, performances and may he keep us happy and smiling forever.

Respect and love to you, MJ

Why didn't I create them???

 I have always loved sketching anime characters, comic characters etc. But there are some characters I wish were my own original creations. This post is dedicated to my secret wish. There are lot of other characters too, but these have the legendary dust around them!!

Kakashi, The cool, awesomely brilliant teacher in the naruto series. I love the way Masahi (naruto series creator) shaped him and crafted this intensely awesome character in the series. Perfect blend of everything...

OMG! Zaraki is THE character I would have loved to be called mine!! He is dripping with Awesomeness. For more details watch the Bleach Manga. From the lining of the hair to his overall attitude, this is a character I love immensely.

Batman!! Who doesn't love him. The No-nonsense attitude, the suave mannerisms, super rich, super cars, super brilliant. That's what legendary characters are made of!! This sketch is a bit blurry(due to my super packed 3.2 MP mobile camera. What I love the most about him is that he is the only superhero without any natural superpowers. Self-made superhero!!! I should kill my appreciatory speech.

An Unforgettable trek....

 We were planning for a trek from a long time. The Shiva Jayanti day turned out to be THE day and we decided to trek Harishchandra Gad (Fort) located near Malshej Ghat in Maharashtra. There are 3 to 4 ways to reach the temple. We chose the Nashik highway route and ended up in a small village called Kotul. The trek is exhaustive and you really should make up your mind before starting it. I had an opportunity to shoot some pictures and luckily there were many good scenes and people to shoot.

For detailed information about the temple, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harishchandragad

Here are some memories




No, there's no train travel involved! We had planned to meet at Ghatkopar. Just a random pic in the train. Just a proof that sometimes trains are empty in Mumbai!!

 The temple! The trek is exhausting, but once you reach the top, the view is exhilarating.

 The water reservoir at the top. People flock the site to get clean, just before entering the temple. MH clicks is my photo signature (ignore please).

 The Shiva idol is located inside this cave like structure. The water level inside it is 2 feet or so. The specialty of the cave is, however tall or short a person is, he is submerged till the waist.

 The Shiva temple, said to be built in King Harishchandra's reign and has references in the puranas. It's dated back in 6th century. It is a very beautifully carved temple, but needs to be renovated and maintained.

 The entrance of the temple.

The Shiva idol

 The Nandi (Lord Shiva's carrier)

 The beautiful feet!

 The hand that sings!!!

 Lord Vitthal and Rukmini

 Music corner

 This was an old man, who was standing inside the temple from early morning, hoping to gather some money, with a Veena (instrument) in his hand.

SuperHigh!!1