:: Laksha Deepam ::

One of the important form of worship is prayer to a lamp, to the flame or Jyothi, instead of a Vigraha or a picture, worshiping it as a form of the Deity of their choice.Vedas say that God exists in the five elements. Aagama Sasthra and Bhootha Suddhi Manthra say that God manifests in Sky[Space] as Sound, in Air as Sound and Sense of Touch, in Fire as Sound, Sense and Shape of things, in Water as Sound, Sense, Shape and Taste of objects, in Earth as Sound, Sense, Shape, Taste and Smell. As light or fire, the Deepa Jyothi represent one of the five elements as a manifestation of God.

Many people perform prayer rituals to the lamp, "Deepa Jyothi" as an alternative to the traditional Vigraha worship of the devotional path. There is a practice of offering prayers to Sri Ganesha, Durga, Devi, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Ayyappan and many other forms of Deities in the form of Jyothi in a Deepa pooja.

The following pictures were shot at Kodanda Rama temple at Bangalore. 1,00,000 Lamps were lit as a part of the annual procession.




~ peevee.
TEXT COURTESY: REDBULL

:: H D R ::

HDR Images (High Dynamic Range Images) were originally developed for use with purely computer-generated images. Later, methods were developed to produce a high dynamic range image from a set of photographs taken with a range of exposures. With the rising popularity of digital cameras and easy-to-use desktop software, the term "HDR" is now popularly used to refer to the process of tone mapping together with bracketed exposures of normal digital images, giving the end result a high, often exaggerated dynamic range. This composite technique is different from, and generally of lower quality than, the production of an image from a single exposure of a sensor that has a native high dynamic range.

Though i have shot a lot of bracketed images quite a long time back, have not processed them then. Recently, got an opportunity to process my first ever HDR, after the trip to Bekal Fort Beach.

Processing HDRs is actually as simple as 1...2...3 points...
1. Open 3 bracketed images in PSCS2 / PSCS3 / Photomatix.
2. Merge them after aligning
3. Tone mapping and save as JPEG.

My first image here.....


I'm not sure about more HDRs coming from my NIKON TOY.
Comments and Critics... expected as usual..

~ peevee.

:: Yakshagana ::

Yakshagana is a traditional theater form combining dance, music, spoken word, costume-makeup, and stage technique with a distinct style and form. It is a theater form mainly prevalent in the coastal districts and adjacent areas, in Karnataka. It is closely connected with other forms prevailing in other parts of Karnataka, and its neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Maharastra. We used to call this in TAMILNADU as THERU KOOTHU(தெருக்கூத்து) - Performance on the roadside.

Got a lovely opportunity to shoot the back stage during one of the yakshagana performances at Mangalore, Karnataka. These artists perform for more than 20 years and for many of them, this is the only avenue for food. Every team will have some artists performing regularly as women artists / comedian or Villian.

Few of my pictures here...






~ peevee.

:: Tabebuia Impetiginosa ::

Tabebuia impetiginosa or pink lapacho is a native Bignoniaceae tree of America, distributed from northern Mexico south to northern Argentina. It is a common tree in Argentina's northeastern region, as well as in southeastern Bolivia.

No idea when and how we got this species in India. It flowers between July and December, before the new leaves appear. Lapacho flower is large, tubular shaped, its corolla is often pink or magenta, though exceptionally seen white, about 2 inches long.

We are lucky enough to capture them in action today... Hope you guys too like this.




~ peevee.

:: Christian wedding ::

The Christian views of marriage historically have regarded marriage as ordained by God for the lifelong union of a man and a woman. This foundational principle was first articulated biblically in Genesis 2:24. Later, Jesus set forth his basic position on marriage by bringing together two important passages from Genesis (1:27; 2:7–25). He pointed to the completion of the creation — "male and female he created them." Then he described marriage as a relationship, a union, so intimate and real that "the two become one flesh." As persons, husband and wife are of equal value. In truth, they are one.

In Roman Catholicism, the Church teaches that marriage is God's doing: "God himself is the author of marriage," which is his way of showing love for those he created. I happened to attaned one of such RC marriages.. the couples entering into a mixed marriage are allowed to marry in a Catholic church provided they have embraced the following principles:
1. They have chosen to marry of their own accord with no external pressure
2. They intend to remain together for life
3. They intend to be faithful to each other
4. They intend to have children if the bride is of childbearing age

Then comes the exchange of rings and the Sacramental bread and wine, wishes and photo sessions.


I really enjoyed my time, understanding the process, as i was attending a christian wedding for the first time.

~ peevee.

:: Memories ::

We met this granny (very sorry.. missed her name) in her small 10x20ft house cum floor mill in Begur village. She must be more than 60 yrs old and carrying memories of her sister, who is now in the US. Ya.. She is holding a photoframe, which was shot some 35 yrs ago, which showcases her sister in class 8 and all her sister's friends and teachers.

This Granny is waiting for her sister, who is coming in JUNE 2008, and invited us as well to meet HER.





I wish and pray GOD to keep her MEMORIES alive...

~ peevee.

:: Begur ::

Begur, which forms a part of South Bangalore, was also known as Behur, Veppur, Bempur. Some records refer to Begur as Bhaskaraksetra and an Agrahara. The Karnataka State Bangalore District Gazet-teer mentions this place as a pre-historic site since fields full of ash pits containing centuries-old bones and pottery pieces were found. There is an interesting Panchalinga monument (890 AD) belonging to the Ganga period here. But the general tendency to whitewash the outer walls, colourfully paint the deities in front of the temple in Eastman colour or concretise the exterior, takes away the antiquity and the old world charm of monuments, especially temples.

This temple is under renovation/beautification now... with the raised funds from public and goverment as well.

One of my pictures....




More about this temple at....
http://www.puzha.com/puzha/selfpublish/1092802792.html
http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/oct31/spt8.asp


~ peevee.