Taken in September of 2013
This M-3 tank is on display at the base of the Madras Sappers. It’s one of the military units housed in Bangalore. Madras is also called Chennai, and is a town in south India on the east coast. It’s about due east of Bangalore. Sappers are military engineers who deal with mines.
Taken in September 2013 in KR Market.
An overhead shot of a spice vendor’s goods at the City Market in Bangalore.
Taken on October 5, 2013 on 80 Feet Rd in Bangalore
Kolam are chalk or (traditionally) rice powder drawings that one finds in front of entryways throughout much of South India. The practice has even carried over to other countries in the South Asia displaying Indian influence such as Thailand and Malaysia. Their drawing is traditionally practiced by Hindu women each day to bring prosperity to the household. Although this one was in front of a business as is also common these days. Some are much smaller and less elaborate than this one. However, some are even more elaborate and perfectly formed. They only last a day, and are traditionally washed away at the end of one day so that a new one can be drawn to start the new day.
Sorry for the haziness, I’m experimenting with taking shots with a phone. I normally use a DSLR, but no matter how long I live here I won’t be able to convince people (mainly drivers and hawkers) to leave me be to take my daily walk in peace with a clunky camera on my person. When you say you live here and are not a tourist, but you have a DSLR around your neck, you can see the “Does Not Compute” light come on in their head as their brains prepare to explode. However, with a phone one gets many fewer interruptions.
Taken in September 2013 in Bangalore
This is one of the most recognizable signs in India. You’ll find them in every neighborhood. There are many Indians who are firm believers in palm reading and astrological forecasting. Of course, there are a lot who aren’t as well. When you have a billion people, you’re going to have a lot of people who do everything (in absolute terms, even if it’s a small percentage.)
Of course, these businesses are not all connected by a guild or anything like that (as far as I know), they’ve just developed this universal signage–the palm. It’s brilliant. You don’t need to worry that the reader can read whichever of India’s 1,000 languages that you wrote the sign in. (This one is in Kannada, by the way.) On an almost unrelated note, but one which interested me, I heard that the McDonald’s sign is now a more recognized symbol globally than the Christian crucifix–but I don’t know how scientific that is. (The tie-in was branding.)
I’m always doubly skeptical when an astrologer approaches. Surely if they were worth their weight they’d know that I don’t put stock in forecasting of any kind whatsoever–not even statistical forecasting which (mis)uses sound mathematical principles.
When I first moved to Bangalore, I would have thought the street above couldn’t be crossed. However, I’ve now learned that one has to take advantage of the speed differential between the bikes and livestock on one hand and the motorized vehicles on the other to get one’s foot in the door. Then one has to cross in stages, with vehicles whipping passed to fore and to the back. It’s like getting vaccinations with the cattle gun in the military, you take a step forward and stop precisely. Except, instead of getting a gash in one’s arm, the penalty is being pelted with a rear-view mirror. It’s the only way, really.
Looking to the east from Barton Centre’s 13th floor.
Taken September 30, 2013 in Bangalore
This small campus of buildings in the Halasuru neighborhood of Bangalore is dedicated to the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna was a holy man from Bengal who lived from 1836 to 1886. The Bangalore chapter is one of several associated with this non-secular monastic order. The order was actually begun by Ramakrishna’s lead disciple, Swami Vivekanada. Vivekanada is most well-known as the individual who introduced Yoga to the West, and particularly the US, back in the 19th century.
With a motto of “Liberation of oneself and service to mankind,” the order both facilitates personal growth through yoga classes and meditation sessions, and also has a major philanthropic thrust.
Taken in September of 2013 in Nandi Hills, India.
India has a lot of street dogs. While there are many that are in a tragic state, others look like they’re someone’s pet. They tend to cluster together in places like parks where they have prospects for both food and to not be run over by rampaging autorickshaw drivers.
Taken in September of 2013 in Bangalore
MG Road (short for Mahatma Gandhi Rd.) is the main drag in Bangalore. It’s lined with shops, malls, and office buildings.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 