Category Archives: History and Monuments

Notes from a Cemetery

Posted on February 29, 2008 by

The story is incredible. Scattered all over London are cemeteries known as the Magnificent Seven. The most famous one is the Highgate Cemetery. More than anything else, it offers a strange and creepy peek into the lives (no, the deaths) … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Monuments, London, Photographs | 14 Comments

Birds, ruins and cities

Posted on September 2, 2007 by

How can one visit ruins, and not marvel at the life inside. Apart from the customary mynahs, sparrows, ring doves, rock pigeons and lazy dogs, the parrots breathe a certain madness into old structures. Their blinding green colour, and screeching … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, History and Monuments, India, London, Photographs

Going home, heat and drama queens

Posted on August 25, 2007 by

How can flying to India be devoid of drama. Hobbling on one functional foot, struck by the delay of the trains, I made it to the airport well in time to check in and buy chocolates thanks to Mumbaigirl. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, History and Monuments, India, Photographs

Look Ma, my photos got published!

Posted on July 17, 2007 by

I am experiencing the sort of gratification that amateur photographers hope for. In the post today, came a book that I had forgotten all about – Synagogen. Die Schönsten Gotteshauser des Judentums. Don’t ask me what that means, because I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History and Monuments, London, Photographs, Self

To Crystal Palace Railway Station

Posted on June 11, 2007 by

On Friday, rr and I went to the Crystal Palace railway station. Just so we could gape at it. It’s strangely old world, with huge arches and generous staircases thrown all over it. For some reason it reminded me of … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Monuments, London, Photographs

1857, and the politics of memories

Posted on May 10, 2007 by

In Delhi, as history students we would sometimes go on these wild goose chases. To try and step on the very site that some event had taken place. The ruins – even as they just that – in ruins offer … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Monuments

Paris thoughtlets: On cities, museums, souvenirs, fakes etc.

Posted on April 11, 2007 by

Like any other city driven and shaped for tourists, Paris is abundant with souvenir shops. I don’t quite know how to react to souvenirs. When I was working in India, we used to pick up local handicrafts. But over time … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Borrowed Words, Cities, Culture, History and Monuments, Photographs, Rants and Rambles, Travel