Kolkata From The Tramlines 3: Playing games with the faces
Laughing on the tram/Playing games with the faces/ I think the man in the gamchha and dhoti’s a spy/ ~ apologies, S&G!
… Trying to imagine where they’ve come from and where they’re going. What they are thinking. And then catching their eye. Sometimes i see suspicion, sometimes mild amusement, sometimes curiosity and most times an affable shyness. But a smile from me usually loosens tongues and i’m asked about myself… i’m alone? where from? wow, so far! why the photos? and then excitement… will they be in the magazines?
those interactions and glimpses through windows into imagined worlds ~ it’s what makes it so much fun.
The early morning mist on the maidan, the newspaper, the early birds on the tram
The Calcutta yellow-cabs in ... Arvind Swamy's sunglasses?
The red-white bangles - called sankha-pola and worn by married women, and the amulet are typical in East India.
Some people are thrilled to be in the photograph. this guy preened a bit before getting on the phone.
Friendships of all sorts were on display everywhere ~ this couple was quite self-absorbed.
And this girl was obviously listening to something *very interesting* for she was all ears.
Henna, gold, stones, and plastic.
When college is out, ice cream is on.
Route #4 through Rabindra Sarani proved most exciting for me
The look - suspicion?
soon after touching forehead and chest in reverence at passing a temple, this lady opted to snooze. she magically woke when her stop neared!
Traders of all sorts making their way to Rabindra Sarani. Life on that street was mindblowing. I have a series coming up on that.
Clearly not a Bengali, this lady reminded me so much of my Naani
Fresh faced college girls on the evening tram #5
Trying in vain to lift a stubborn tram window
five year old Shambhavi lost in thought on Tram #5
Lovely!
1. Why is that lady not Bengali?
2. What camera? What lens? These are important details, you know.
December 16, 2011 at 4:13 am
Ms.Sankaran!!
question number 2 is ALL important, i say, true true. EXIF data coming up. Not! *grin*
as for 1. “bas, pataa chal jaata hai” said in Geet tone from JabWeMet.
how you are woman – will call, been ages.
December 16, 2011 at 4:55 am
Simply superb..and timeless
December 16, 2011 at 4:24 am
thanks, zenrainman. all of north kolkata could have been from any era (only the ubiquitous mobile phone was a dead giveaway)
A
December 16, 2011 at 4:56 am
Beautiful.. Beautiful
‘well seen’ is the only thing I can say that can sum up these lovely images!
December 16, 2011 at 4:48 am
Thanks dear radha!
December 16, 2011 at 4:56 am
This is like a “A Day in the Life Of..” series Arati.
Wow! Each picture tells a story in itself. Loved everything about this – the light in each of the pics, the captions, the angles.. Brilliant.
December 16, 2011 at 5:19 am
Thanks Vijay! Indeed – each of these images has a backstory – and prequel/sequel type images. It was a great day in *my* life, for sure.
there is one more set and then the climax coming up.
do drop by again,
A
December 18, 2011 at 4:27 pm
super shots…!Enjoyed this
December 17, 2011 at 2:49 am
My home town, or rather where I spent first 18 years of my life. Rabindra Sarani is where I grew up. Trams, Kolkata ..ahh! Thanks for reviving that me!
December 17, 2011 at 3:48 am
Thanks subhankar – you would probably be able to connect with a lot of the images in the upcoming Rabindra sarani series and what’s going on in them.
Thanks Chetan!
December 18, 2011 at 4:28 pm
arati,
this photo essay…speaks volumes..
a story behind each image..
and u brought it all to life.intricate webs of emotions, moods intertwined by the struggles of daily existence of the common man…
loved the series…well done..
and the tramlines…ive grown up travelling in…can so so identify..
December 23, 2011 at 2:04 am
nice series..
August 19, 2012 at 2:05 am
I like your site..The pictures are mesmerising & equally elegant. Keep writing and posting such pictures.
December 30, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Thanks
January 16, 2013 at 10:04 pm