January 2015 – GOPS Creativ

Jan 27

GREAT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE SERIES :: SOMANATHPURA

The Chennakesava Temple was built in 1268 C.E by Soma, a Dandanayaka (commander) in the Hoysala Kingdom during the rule of King Narasimha III. The intricate and detailed carving style is commonly found in the Hoysala temples of Karnataka, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, contemporary culture, art forms, and weaponry. Soapstone ((steatite or talc-schist)) is the material of choice for carving, providing a remarkable finish. The softness of soapstone allows for shaping even with finger nails, and instead of the traditional hammer and chiselling process, many pillars and sculptures were created using lathe turning or scraping motion of the tools. A touch of polishing with oil would bring out a lifelike appearance in them. The side walls are intricately carved with depictions of cavalry, elephants, and scenes from epics such as Mahabharat, Ramayan, and Bhagavat. The sculptures show extreme attention to detail, reflecting the culture, clothing, dances, jewelry, weaponry, and more of that era. Research students can gain valuable insights into the history of the period through these carvings. This Vaishnava temple faces east and is surrounded by a strong boundary wall (prakara). It features three shrines (trikuta) built on a star-shaped platform (jagati). The temple’s beauty rivals that of […]

Jan 24

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage 6 comments tags: bahubali, bangalore, Bhadrabahu, Brahmadeva, cave, chandragiri, chandragupta, Chikkabetta, Doddabetta, gomateshwara, gomateswara, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, hill, india, Indragiri, jain, jainism, maurya, monolithic, mysore, photography, pillar, route, SHRAVANABELAGOLA, south, statue, stone, tour, Tyagada, vindyagiri

A TRIP TO SHRAVANABELAGOLA

“THERE IS NO ENEMY OUT OF YOUR SOUL. THE REAL ENEMIES LIVE INSIDE YOURSELF; THEY ARE ANGER, EGO, PRIDE, CURVEDNESS, GREED, ATTACHMENTS AND HATRED” :- Lord Mahavir Bahubali, according to Jainism, is revered as the epitome of a man who overcomes selfishness, jealousy, pride, and anger. The 57-foot monolithic statue of Gomateshvara (Bahubali) at Shravanabelagola holds great significance as a pilgrimage site for Jain followers. Shravanabelagola translates to “White pond of the ascetic” and is situated amidst two hills. The larger hill is known as Indragiri/Vindyagiri (Doddabetta) while the smaller one is called Chandragiri (Chikkabetta). One can observe over two millennia of Jain history at this location. Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya (340 – 298 BC) chose to live out his last days as a Jain monk at Chandragiri. He had successfully expanded his empire to encompass various regions of the Indian subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Balochistan. The Maurya kingdom thrived under the wise counsel of the renowned philosopher Chanakya and also benefited from their alliance with Macedonian king Alexander and his descendants. Chandragupta Maurya, in his later years, made the decision to adopt Jainism under the guidance of his spiritual mentor Bhadrabahu. He then moved to Shravanbelgola in 298 BC […]

Jan 22

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage 6 comments tags: architecture, bangalore, curse, dunes, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, hoysala, karnataka, kaveri, Kirtinarayana, mysore, mysterious, photography, river, road, route, sand, talakad, talakkad, talakkadu

GREAT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE SERIES :: MYSTERIOUS TALAKAD

They say ‘fact is stranger than fiction !!’ Talakad, located near Mysore in India, is a historical site that was once home to more than 30 temples, now buried under sand. The massive sand dunes that cover the area have sparked numerous myths and legends among the locals. Ongoing excavations have led to the recovery of several temples from the sand dunes. The photos included were taken by me at the same location, with a 24-year gap between them. The first picture shows us standing on the partially visible Mahadwara (grand entrance) of the Kirtinarayana temple, which has since been fully recovered and restored (as shown in the picture below). Talakkad was established by the Ganga Dynasty during the first millennium CE, and subsequently by the Tamil Cholas from the 11th to the 12th centuries. The town later fell under the control of the Hoysalas in the 12th century. It was later conquered by the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharajas of Mysore. Talakkad was engulfed by sand over 400 years ago, leading to various theories surrounding this enigma. According to scientific research, it may have been an ecological catastrophe triggered by a series of earthquakes. There is also a belief […]

Jan 21

by GOPAN NAIR in travel 2 comments tags: 1984, bangalore, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, greenery, lake, new, old, photography, ulsoor, vintage

ULSOOR LAKE, BANGALORE IN 1984 AND TODAY

ULSOOR LAKE, BANGALORE, photographed from the same spot within a gap of 30 years . The first picture was photographed by me in 1984. The famous Ulsoor Lake of Bangalore. The sepia tone came naturally due to the ageing of film. Those were the days of peace & tranquility in Bangalore…! Captured with a Yashica Electro-35 film camera. Let’s have a look at the same place today (Jan-2015), photographed from the very same location. I was happy to notice that nothing much has changed around the lake during these 3 decades, though most of the city’s greenery has been eaten up by concrete jungle..! The Public Utility Building built in 1973 was the tallest building those days, which is still visible today in the background.

Jan 19

by GOPAN NAIR in poetry 0 comments tags: fallen, flower, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, kumaranasan, malayalam, photography, poet, poetry, veenapoovu, തര്‍ജ്ജമ, വിവർത്തനം, വീണപൂവ്

SORROWS OF A FALLEN FLOWER ( വീണപൂവ് )

The sight of a fallen flower may seem insignificant to many. Back in 1907, the renowned poet from Kerala, Kumaranasan, eloquently portrayed the unattained aspirations of a fallen flower through his poignant words. Reflecting on the legacy of this great poet… വിലകുറഞ്ഞ ഒരു വിഷയം എന്നു തോന്നുമെങ്കിലും, 100 വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് മുൻപ് (1907-ൽ), മഹാകവി കുമാരനാശാൻ ഒരു പൂവിന്റെ പൂർത്തീകരിക്കാൻ കഴിയാതെപോയ സ്വപ്നങ്ങളേക്കുറിച്ച് 1000-ൽ കൂടുതൽ വാക്കുകളിൽ വർണ്ണിച്ചു. “ഹാ” എന്നു തുടങ്ങി, “കഷ്ടം” എന്ന് അവസാനിക്കുന്ന ഈ കവിത, മനുഷ്യജന്മത്തിന്റെ പ്രതിഫലനം തന്നെയല്ലേ ?! THE FALLEN FLOWER (Kumaran Asan) : വീണപൂവ് (കുമാരനാശാൻ) :- Translated from MALAYALAM by Manjeri S. Isvaran (1910 – 1966) Translator’s Note: – (Born April, 1870 in Kayikkara, Trivandrum, the Poet received his early education in the village school; he studied for a while in the Sanskrit College, Mysore, and later in the Sanskrit College, Calcutta. An ardent social reformer, he was a member of the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly and Secretary for over fifteen years of the S. N. D. P. Yogam. During this time he edited Vivekodayam. In recognition of his greatness as a poet he was presented with a silk shawl and a gold medal by H. R. H. the Prince of Wales. He died in January 1924, in the Redeemer boat disaster in Pallana […]

Jan 17

by GOPAN NAIR in Varanasi 0 comments tags: boat, ganga, ganges, ghats, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, india, kashi, night, photography, ride, row, spiritual, varanasi, video

FEEL THE PEACE, ENJOY A BOAT RIDE AT VARANASI…

Jan 17

by GOPAN NAIR in Life in this India 2 comments tags: basava, bull, decorated, folk, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, gypsies, gypsy, handsome, india, karnataka, kole, photo, photography, tradition

HUNGER PARTNERS ( KOLE BASAVA )

“THE HANDSOME BULL ( KOLE BASAVA )” “Kole Basava” is a traditional folk art from Southern India where intricately adorned bulls, led by their handlers, are taught to amuse spectators. These images capture the essence of this practice in the state of Karnataka, India. These individuals are itinerants or wanderers who roam the streets, bestowing blessings upon individuals in return for monetary compensation, clothing, or sustenance. The leaders are typically skilled musicians who play various musical instruments or showcase their talents. They may even pose queries to the bull, receiving responses through nods signifying Yes or No. The robust bulls also engage in feats such as balancing on a person’s stomach without causing harm. In India, the bull, associated with the Hindu deity Shiva, is revered as sacred. Women from the villages present offerings of ragi, paddy, chillies, salt, and tamarind. They also venerate the bulls with turmeric, vermilion, and incense sticks. The kole basavas are well looked after by their owners as they fill their food bowls. When they perform, the bulls are adorned in bright attire, with colorful ribbons attached to their horns and caps on the tips. Anklets are fastened to their legs, and a bell is […]

Jan 14

by GOPAN NAIR in travel, Wonders of Nature 2 comments tags: bloom, blossom, flower, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, kerala, Kunthiana, kurinji, munnar, neela, NEELAKURINJI, nilgiri, Strobilanthes, Strobilanthes Kunthiana

WHEN NEELAKURINJI BLOSSOMS

The stunning sight of Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthiana), a fabled purple-blue flower that blossoms once every 12 years in the mountain ranges of Munnar in Kerala. Following the last bloom in 2006, another widespread flowering in the Nilgiris-Palanis-Munnar area is anticipated only in 2018. Interestingly, there was a cluster of plants in the area that bloomed four years earlier than the rest of the community in the region, and I was fortunate to witness this rare event in October 2014. However, it remains uncertain whether these plants will survive for the next season. The Nilgiri Hills, also known as the “blue mountains,” are thought to have derived their name from the Neelakurinji flowers. It is fascinating to note that the Paliyan tribes, who resided in this area, used to determine their age according to the blooming cycle of these flowers.

Jan 14

by GOPAN NAIR in Life in this India 1 comments tags: bhoot, bhoota, bhootha, elements, five, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, of nature, panch, pancha, photography

PANCHA BHOOTA ( पन्च भूत )

The PANCHA BHOOTA (Sanskrit: पन्च भूत ), or the five prime elements of nature, are represented by LAND, WATER, AIR, SKY and FIRE. Despite the immense potential of each element, humans often underestimate the power of nature. It is believed that these elements must be kept in balance in both the universe and the human body. Any imbalance could lead to natural disasters and diseases. This framework symbolizes the five elements of nature, with the man at the top representing a life filled with energy, and the empty bottle at the bottom representing death. This is one of my all-time favorite captures. License this image for commercial use here : http://www.gettyimages.in/detail/photo/five-elements-of-nature-royalty-free-image/502150131

Jan 13

by GOPAN NAIR in Wonders of Nature 0 comments tags: DAMSEL, DAMSELFLIES, DAMSELFLY, DRAGON, DRAGONFLIES, DRAGONFLY, EGG, FLY, LAYING, MATE, MATING, ODONATE, OVIPOSITION, POSITION, REPRODUCTION, WHEEL

LUST, LOTUS BUD & A DAMSEL

You may have observed the peculiar mating rituals of dragonflies above a pond or river. Occasionally, the male can be observed carrying the female while executing various aerial maneuvers. Despite appearing harmless and romantic, their interaction is actually considered sexual harassment. I would like to share with you some images depicting their unique behavior. These were taken in 2010. Love on a Lotus Bud :: Odonate Reproduction, Damselflies in the “wheel” position. Damselflies come together in the “wheel” position to mate and often fly in tandem like this. Subsequently, the male typically stays connected to the female while she lays eggs. During this process, he maintains his hold on the front part of the female’s thorax by using claspers situated at the end of his abdomen. Normally, a male damselfly would utilize his organ to remove his competitors’ sperm before releasing his own. The delicate dance of balance :: Damselflies engaging in Odonate Oviposition. As the female prepares to lay her eggs, the male ensures no other potential mates interfere by staying attached to her. Dragonflies exhibit territorial behavior, with males actively warding off intruders. When it’s time to mate, a female will enter the male’s domain. While dragonflies and […]

GREAT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE SERIES :: SOMANATHPURA

A TRIP TO SHRAVANABELAGOLA

GREAT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE SERIES :: MYSTERIOUS TALAKAD

ULSOOR LAKE, BANGALORE IN 1984 AND TODAY

SORROWS OF A FALLEN FLOWER ( വീണപൂവ് )

FEEL THE PEACE, ENJOY A BOAT RIDE AT VARANASI…

HUNGER PARTNERS ( KOLE BASAVA )

WHEN NEELAKURINJI BLOSSOMS

PANCHA BHOOTA ( पन्च भूत )

LUST, LOTUS BUD & A DAMSEL

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