Ikea Kuwait in HDR

Would love to create more of such images. It's an HDR created on Photomatix.

Barbie Turns 50

The almost eternal companion of the young girl, Barbie, turns 50 today. And she remains so eternally young and attractive! The picture is taken at a beauty pageant hosted by my six year old daughter. But just have a closer look. You will find a 'browner' Barbie taking the limelight. And why not? The the world is getting flatter (ref: Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat") and with the power shift from the West to the East this is very well expected anyways!

National Day Colors - Kuwait

Auspicious Metaphors...

Emirates Palace - Abu Dhabi

The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Quite a symbol of Arab Opulence. Built at a cost of $ 3 Billion, the Palace occupies 850,000m² of floor space. Underground parking allows housing for 2,500 vehicles. Built as a Palace but now converted to a super luxury hotel. Wonder if I can ever make it to stay there...



This picture below is of the lobby area and if you look at it twice you will find it a bit surreal! You can see the elaborate ceiling and the reception counter on the same plane! Well actually, I did some 'photostitching', i.e., put together about 5 pictures to create it! I so wanted to capture the whole ambience out there!
Most digital cameras come with some or the other 'photostitching' software these days. Of course, you can use one of those wide angle or 'fish eye' lenses. But again they have their limitations too.

The 'Mekhala Chador' Comes of Age

During the last trip home it was a pleasant surprise to see the new avatar of the Assamese ‘Mekhala Chador’, the two piece form of the saree. It was in the newly done up silk store of ‘Silkalay’ in Guwahati, Assam that I came across these lovely new designs of the Mekhala Chadors put up in a very professional display on mannequins.
The unique blend of the traditional and modern made out of the finest Assamese silks of ‘Mugaa’ and ‘Paat’ is indeed impressive and will go a long way in preserving the affinity for this ancient attire even among the younger generations.

Okay, okay, I will try to get hold of some lovely live models to do the shots next time!

Xewali (Night Jasmine)

The 'Xewali' or 'Parijat' or The Night Jasmine... I wished I could write in Assamese to express the divine enchantment this fragrant flower brings with the onset of winter in Assam. The private ritual of the ladies of the household to pick up the dew soaked foliage and bringing then into the home in the morning for offering the deities or merely for the fragrance is something which, I am sure, every Assamese holds close to his/her heart.
Folklore and mythology has it that this is one the five divine flowers brought into the earth from the gardens of King Indra of the heavens and believed to be eternally so pure that it can be offered to the deities even if fallen to the grounds. No wonder, it has been inspiration to so many a poets and lyricists in Assam and around.

'Bokakhator Puri' - Simply Irresistible!

Any feeling of extreme urge to splurge on this exquisite cuisine (sic) is purely intentional. I am sure, dead sure that 90% of Assamese or residents of Assam simply cant resist this!
This 'puri' and watery potato curry served with a chilly chutney served in a particular non-descript restaurant on banana leaves in the town of Bokakhat in Assam is an irresistible favourite of any traveller passing by.