a vast ocean apart

It’s ironical how a change in the environment changes our way of thinking, our means of entertainment, our view point…phenomenal

I went on a 9 day tour to Himachal Pradesh, a state encrusted by mountains big and small, rivers cutting through, high narrow piercing gorges, waterfalls, planes…and inhabited by people staying in the bowels of nature

Though now considered as a tourist destination, I went on to live just 9 days, leaving behind a suspicious family, a few close friends who apparently said that they missed me, the frantic Delhi life, the everyday monotonous chatting, and the addiction to the computer!!

Probably the only gadgetry I took along was my camera and a link of communication – the mobile! I sometimes think that it must have been better had I left the continuously vibrating, havoc creating shit little box aside! I wish I could leave it fore-ever!! But these wishes are as fake as finding happy Jews during 1939-45!

Though my trip was on official one, financed by the government of India…heck
Wait stop!!!

My parents just returned, after a rather long outing, I didn’t even receive a smile, neither a grumpy hello, what I got is an accusing question and an austere command
No complaints!

My trip was financed by the govt. of India, for filing Geographical Indication Rights for the crafts of Himachal. Though HP is famous for various crafts like- Kulu shawls, Kulu caps, Chamba chapals, Chamba rumals, pullans, chutnies, pahari paintings. We as a group were focusing on pahari paintings

now the history of pahari painintgs date a long way to the paintings from the mughal era!
The mughals were the 1st ones to stat with the miniature paintings, which were later taken up by the pahari kings and painted to suit their style, these painings were then known as the Pahari Paintings!
Pahari paintings not only cover Himachal Pradesh, but also cover Rajasthan and certain parts of Punjab. Within HP itself there developed schools of paintings in the regions of Guler, Chamba, Mankot and Kangra. A lot information is available about Pahari Painintgs on the net, therefore ill try cutting the information short!
The art though has now become stagnant to the walls of the museum itself, but many reproductions are still being produced. Some artisans are still using the old techniques using natural colors, while others make do with poster colors and other substitutes!

All in all, what I personally felt was that we can only file a right for the style of the painting. Thus ensuring that who ever may make the painting is making it in the name of Kanga Style , but the benefit of the art cannot be restricted!
Well the trip was just not restricted to the art parameters! We did a lot of touring and sightseeing too, in which I realized sadly though, that being within the boundaries of my own country I felt like an outsider. A sad traveler browsing through the freshness of the villages like a new born learning how to breathe.


Those mountains as they stare at me, I wonder do they ever acknowledge my existence? Does it matter to them whether I breather or not, do I wear my best suit, i have behaved in a proper manner?? They just stare, giving me unconditional comfort, a feeling of vast encompassing feeling, protecting me from the harshness… even their jagged craggy peaks are softened by the lining of the trees, merging ever so beautifully with the darkness of the expanse of the clouds

The wind that these protected lands is cynically holy, captivating, and blissfully refreshing. The pahari’s have a weather beaten face, their lines seems to be carved out by the winds themselves, delicately caressing these children!

As I began talking about different environments, the ones that I felt here, pushed me to think more deepy, I felt like talking to myself, trying to explain my actions to these silent guardians, though inside I knew they neither heard me nor did they care…I felt small and humble. I wanted to meditate, I wanted to feel beauty in its raw terms!

Maybe I had not seen the most beautiful of the places, but I tried concentrating on beauty at least, and I was surprised to see I could decipher so much

That day in a small place called Chamunda, under million of stars and snow peaked mountain in front of me, sitting on a small rock, feeling the slight chill…I cried…an emotion was evoked within me, an emotion which I shall never be able to feel in the amidst of this fast paced city

An emotion which I cherished…a moment of solitariness… maybe