My pictures with their little stories

Call of the Hills - photographs and writings by Milind Sathe Happy to invite everyone for my solo show  Call of the Hills   photographs and writings at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai from 21st to 27th December 2016.

Milind Sathe's solo photography show at Indiaart Gallery, Pune as a fundraiser for projects of Jnana Prabodhini The collection of my pictures which I presented at Nehru Centre, Mumbai in August 2016 will now be exhibited at Indiaart Gallery , Pune. The show at Mumbai was a big success. Now it will be home ground. This show aims to create awareness and raise funds for two wonderful projects of Jnana Prabodhini - Jnana Prabodhini, Harali and Gyan-Setu. All are invited. Do drop in, enjoy the show, talk to project coordinators and volunteers.  HAPPY DIWALI.  See you soon.

Tasha at Jnana Prabodhini's Ganapati visarjan procession Tasha and Dhol steal the show at any procession at the Ganapati visarjan procession on the last day of Ganesh festival. Here, at the energetic yet disciplined procession by Jnana Prabodhini, the band was all raw energy. Jnana Prabodhini's annual procession at the Ganapati festival has set high standards for everyone to follow. A large contingent with highly motivated boys, girls, teachers, parents and well wishers have been demonstrating year after year that public celebrations can be orderly, elegant and still have the ability to attract the masses. ( Ganeshotsav , Pune, 2016 )

Twilight at a beach near Guhagar Some distance from Guhagar , we spent an unforgettable hour at this beach around sundown. The colours kept changing and rapidly at that. The waves, the play of l ight, the patterns of the clouds - each of them were enjoying their play. We were transfixed there absorbing this grand spectacle. For a change, I was not keen to take pictures as I would have missed several precious moments. ( Kokan , 2013 )

Group photo at Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Nobody will miss a selfie or a picture at Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa which is a UNESCO World Heritage site . The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier . ( Old Goa, 2016 )

Canvassing at Panjim Market The market at Panjim is no different from most vegetable markets except for the wonderful mural by Mario Miranda at the upper level which overlooks all the action below. Noticed this AAP volunteer who with the signature AAP cap was quietly but diligently talking to people (possibly about the new world). It is good to see that some people still believe in Utopia . ( Goa , 2016)

Selfie at Fort Aguada, Goa One definite change I witnessed during the recent visit to Goa was that everyone was taking selfies. Never saw anything like that in all the trips to Goa over so many years.  May be that selfies has now become a national trait. It is nice to see so many people feeling good about themselves. Our collective self esteem seems to have gone up considerably. We are definitely progressing.

Artist Aku Jha at Milind Sathe's solo photography show at Nehru Centre, Mumbai (August 2016) I was delighted to have senior artist Aku Jha visit my show - My pictures with their little stories, along with his family. Here is a video clip of what Shri. Aku Jha had to say about my show : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3OvV34Z5CQ

(L to R) Mr. Yashwant Shirwadkar, Mrs. Yamini Shirwadkar, Dr. Prachee Sathe, Milind Sathe at Milind Sathe's solo photography show It was nice to have Mrs. and Mr. Yashwant Shirwadkar visit the show and appreciate my work.

Kids with their mothers at Milind Sathe's solo photography show - My pictures with their little stories It was nice to have these kids with their mothers visit my solo photography show - My pictures with their little stories. The mothers spent good time looking at the pictures while the children had fun playing in the open area. See the full presentation related to this exhibition at : http://milind-sathe.com/My-pictures-with-their-little-stories/About-the-Exhibition.html

Dr. Madhav Sathe at Milind Sathe's solo photography show - My pictures with their little stories Here is what Dr. Madhav Sathe had to say about this show : Very innovative way to involve commoners to a social enterprise platform. Thats the way Milind to propagate the good work done by Nana Palkar Smruti Samiti . Their work really is very quiet and persistent. You have helped them to bring into limelight. Best of Luck. Here is the video clip of Dr. Madhav Sathe's comments : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDOuftP__Qg

Milind Sathe at his solo photography show - My pictures with their little stories at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai Milind Sathe 's solo show - My pictures with their little stories - at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai was a big success. The show created awareness and raised funds for the work being done by Nana Palkar Smruti Samiti who provide free accommodation to poor and needy cancer patients at Mumbai. See the full presentation of this exhibition which includes all the artworks with their little stories, photo gallery, video clips and comments by visitors : http://www.indiaart.com/Featured-Exhibitions/My-pictures-with-their-little-stories-by-Milind-Sathe/Exhibition.asp

Display at my solo photography show at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai It was a great start for the show...First day was quite hectic with several visitors and loads of appreciation...and bookings on Day 1 itself...Here is a pictur e of the display at the gallery at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai.  Look forward to all friends visiting the show.

Tabo monastery, Spiti Tabo Monastery in Spiti Valley , Himachal Pradesh was established in the year 996. It is the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in both India and th e Himalayas. Loved it for the rustic and simplistic approach apart from the wonderful textural quality of its surfaces. This picture of Tabo monastery will be on display at my show at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai from Tuesday 16th August to Monday 22nd August 2016. Experience it at my show.

My pictures with their little stories - solo photography show by Milind Sathe All are invited for my solo photography exhibition "My pictures with their little stories" at Nehru Centre (Main Art Gallery), Worli, Mumbai from 16th to 22nd August 2016, daily from 11 am to 7 pm every day ( including Sunday ) This exhibition will create awareness and raise funds for ' Nana Palkar Smruti Samit i", an NGO which provides free accommodation at Mumbai to poor and needy Cancer and Kidney patients.

Wrinkled beauty at Sangla Wrinkled beauty at Sangla This picture will be part of my solo photography exhibition at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai from 16th to 22nd August 2016. I found this lady to be very remarkable for her features and composure. This was in 2010. Could not spot her again during my subsequent travels in this region in 2011 and 2014. Hope she is in good health.

Handmade Paper, picture by Milind Sathe This will be one of the pictures on display at my Solo Photography Show at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai from 16th to 22nd August. This show will create awareness and raise funds for Nana Palkar Smruti Samiti , Mumbai who provide free accommodation to poor and needy cancer and kidney patients. This is a handmade paper I shot at Pondicherry . Loved its delicate design, beauty and colours. Visit the show to see this beauty !

Green in Bhutan Green in Bhutan . Rich greens of the forests in different hues. Can anything be more soothing and calming ?

Dolls made by local craftspersons on display near Patwa Haveli, Jaisalmer The craftsmen were working right there on the street near Patwa Haveli at  Jaisalmer  and putting up their creations on the walls. Made a colourful display. There is so much talent among the craftspersons and the rich traditions they inherit. Pity that most of them do not get the recognition they deserve as well as the price. (Jaisalmer, 2014)

Marriage invitation on the wall at Jaisalmer - 1 What a tradition this is. Paint the invitation for an important event such as marriage in your family right on the walls of your house. Invite the world at large. It cannot get more open and generous than this. A fascinating cultural tradition seen on the walls of homes at Jaisalmer . (Jaisalmer, Rajastan , 2014)

Stone carving of goddess Nike at Ephesus Till we saw this stone carving among the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus, we were unaware of the significance of the name "Nike". (Ephesus, 2006) Nike , in  ancient Greek religion , was a  goddess  who personified  victory , also known as the Winged Goddess of Victory.  The Roman equivalent was  Victoria . Depending upon the time of various myths, she was described as the daughter of the  Titan   Pallas  and the goddess  Styx , and the sister of  Kratos  (Strength),  Bia  (Force), and  Zelus  (Zeal).  Nike and her siblings were close companions of  Zeus , the dominant deity of the  Greek pantheon . According to classical (later) myth, Styx brought them to Zeus when the god was assembling allies for the  Titan War  against the older deities. Nike assumed the role of the divine  charioteer , a role in which she often is por...

Observing at Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajastan It was an interesting study to see how visitors observe and relate with monuments and architecture. Each one does it in a different way which is unique. The attention span, what they look at, the body language - everything is so different and hence great fun to study and capture.  ( Ranakpur Jain Temple , Rajastan, 2015)

The Bougainvillea Collection - 4  Read the blog post

Chatting at Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajastan Spotted this couple chatting at the end of a passage inside the magnificent Jain temple at Ranakpur known for its remarkable architecture with numerous pillars. The temple architecture is such that it has created several such spaces which have their own charm and mystery. (Ranakpur, 2015)  ‪

Menu card at Jalori Pass, Himachal Tea and paratha (prantha to use phonetically correct spelling as the word is pronounced) dominated the graffiti on all possible areas where something could be written at this place at Jalori Pass in  Himachal . We did not go in here, we went into another shop where the fellow was making fresh mithai. (Jalori Pass, Himachal, 2014)

Women on a coastal road in Kokan See this blog post

The Bougainvillea Collection - 3 While shooting the  Bougainvillea , I realised that while it looked bright and vibrant, one would make a mistake to miss out some very subtle tones in it.  It is similar to the search for the subtle and unspoken beauty as opposed to loud assertion of beauty which we get bombarded with all the time.  (April 2016)

The Bougainvillea Collection - 1  Although I usually do not enjoy shooting flowers, the bougainvillea at Indiaart Gallery has been so inviting that I could not resist picking up the camera. In this picture, the dried leaves of a fallen branch of the bamboo tree from the adjoining piece of land has created a wonderful backdrop for the colour and beauty of bougainvillea. (April 2016)

The Bougainvillea Collection - 2 by Milind Sathe The bougainvillea at Indiaart Gallery at its new location is simply beautiful. Looks like I am going to land up creating The Bougainvillea Collection. Here is the first one. (2016)

Baspa valley near Raksham I am sure that had  Robert Wise  walked this trail in the  Baspa valley  near Raksham, he would have filmed " The Sound of Music " right here. The fall was setting in and it made the entire experience even more enchanting - Jannat almost. (Raksham, 2014)

Colourful Raksham The entire area around village Raksham is so colourful and with fall starting to set in, the colours started to get more pronounced. The walk through the village led us to some very colourful sights with each house starting to stock up grass for the winter. This particular visual had so many layers and colours in it but they all seemed so neatly arranged by who else ? (Raksham,  Sangla valley ,  Dist Kinnaur ,  Himachal , 2014)

Jodhpur - The Blue City A view of  Jodhpur  from  Mehrangarh fort  tell you why it is known as the Blue City. The majestic fort which is one of the largest in India is situated on a small hill and overlooks the city. No doubt it is an imposing structure. I have always felt that while the residents of the fort must have felt very secure, the residents who lived below in the open must have felt very vulnerable as they would have to bear the brunt of the marauding armies. (Jodhpur, 2014)

Kumaoni lady stocking up grass What a load of grass this was....These ladies seemed to easily carry it on their backs. While on a walk in the mountains, some of us tried putting this load of grass on our backs and we instantly realised that this was not our cup of tea. This lady is stocking up a good quantity of grass for the winter that is coming in soon. ( Kumaon , 2012)

Yak cheese seller in Bhutan We bought some  Yak  cheese ( I had heard much about it so had to try it ) from this sweet young lady who was managing a road side shop with her little one securely tied to her. These  Yak cheese  pieces turned out to be as hard as stone and it took me more than an hour of active salivation with rigorous activity of mouth muscles to extract the pleasure of this unique cheese. ( Bhutan , 2015)

Rural Life in Bhutan - 1 Countryside, mountains in the background, fields and rustic people was the quintessential rural Bhutan.  So many picture postcard views this country has to offer. (Bhutan, 2015)

Temple Ruins in Kumaon These ruins which included a Shiv Mandir were like any other neglected historical and heritage sites in India. I guess, only the major sites are looked after properly . Many of the not so significant sites actually have the potential to attract visitors but then we need to change the way we have been preserving our heritage. ( Kumaon , 2012)

The Girl in Red Came across this girl in her nice red T shirt when we stopped by at a roadside shop to pick up some Yak cheese while driving to Thimpu from Phuentsholing . Her expressive face had curiosity written all over it with her younger brother peeping from behind her. ( Bhutan , 2015)

These kids are in a different world While everyone else is engrossed in the folk dances and other festivities at this village festival in Ura valley, these kids are engrossed in a different world altogether. (Ura valley, Bhutan , 2015)

Grandeur of Punakha The first impression at  Punakha Dzong   is that of the grandeur  and the sheer scale of everything here.  What sinks in is the relative insignificance of the humans due to the size, scale and proportion of the structures around. Second oldest and second largest  dzong  in  Bhutan , it was earlier the winter capital of Bhutan, now the winter capital only of monastic body.  (Punakha, Bhutan, 2015)

View from inside a monastery, Bhutan From darkness to colour, that is how the view was from the upper floor at this monastery in Bhutan . It was around noon when I ventured upto the upper floor which was dark and deserted. When I came to the edge, it was all colourful right in front. May be very symbolic. (Bhutan, 2015)

From a restaurant at Pondicherry There was hardly anyone there at the restaurant for lunch that day. As the image in the mirror shows, you could feel the stillness in every object at this place. At play was a beautiful combination of natural light coming in through the large windows and the artificial light inside. ( Pondicherry , 2013)

Chinese Shoe Shop at Shimla Every hill station in north India seems to have The Mall Road and in every likelihood there will be a Chinese shoe shop. When I noticed this shop on The Mall at Shimla , could not resist peeping in. It did not look to be a very active shop, neither the owner seemed very friendly. (Shimla, 2011)

At Tabo monastery, Spiti Being an ancient and important Buddhist monastery, I expected Tabo to have grandeur befitting its status. It turned out that the monastery was unpretentious. There was a serene and mystical beauty in the simplicity at Tabo. (Tabo monastery, Spiti, 2011)