98,603 items / 596,358 views
This is a unique community that lives on the pavement of Mori Road diagonally opposite Mahim Station weaving baskets , baskets that are used for storing fish by the koli women, baskets are in demand with vegetable and flower sellers too.
The women of this community go about their work diligently, the men are laid back play cards drink ..and take life as it comes , some men the older ones assist the women in weaving the baskets.
The kids beg at both the traffic signals the one at Mori Road the other at the far end of St Michael Church.This brings in the extra bit for the concerned family.
The kid beggars of this community are very convincing with their begging speech invoking Allah, Makhdoom Shah Baba the Mahim Saint , or any divinity in keeping with the person they are begging from , if it is a Hindu than they will appeal on behalf of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, or Durga Mata , this also depends on the seasonal religious flavor of a Hindu feast.
During Navratra they begged with Gharbi pots in their hands.
This community has a branch at Mahim off Mori Road closer to Fisherman Colony, the other branch or offshoot is close to Nargis Dutt Colony at Bandra Reclamation..
This is a nice study if one is passionate about street photography..Mumbai street life shows you facets of domestic quarrels on the road , kids playing cricket cars zooming by, hawkers plying their trade undisturbed , as they pay hafta to the authorities and the local Bhai or don of the area.
Most of the street settlers are touts of politicians as this huge chunk is a powerful vote bank..they raise the flag of the party that feeds them..first come first serve basis.
On the night before the elections I was told in confidence by a resident of the street of Bandra Reclamation, a lot of money flows to garner support in terms of vote..He said sometimes people paid by a party go and vote for the opposing party too.. Politics is a perfect pass time for the jobless , Rs 250 is paid to a person joining the rally .. more if they have kids.. more if they are in burkhas..yes this democracy..one wise man and a million blind fools..the Muslim card is the most sought after ..as the Muslim vote can change the face of the hustings here , those at Band Stand , Pali Hill , Carter Road go away for a long well deserved holiday during voting time...Most of them ensconced at their holiday villas at Alibagh , Murud Janjira or Igatpuri..
The first rally at Bandra Reclamation was that of the BSP last night I kept away but saw it from my balcony..the people in the fray here at Bandra is sitting MLA Baba Siddiki of Congress NCP combine , Ashish Shelar BJP /ShivSena combine and a lone Independent candidate municipal councilor Rahebar Khan.
The walls are still pristine white soon you will see the writing on the walls ..Vote For ...Stable Government ..and such jocular tongue in cheek verbosity..
The shrilly chorus of kids Ek Do... Phek Do..Sab Se Pehle Hath Ha Hum Tumhare Sath Hai..Rahebar Khans election symbol is a cricket bat.. and he is going to hit a six his supporter told me..but than he got upset when I told him that both Baba Siddiki and Ashish Shelar are great bowlers too, one a fast medium pace the other a left arm spinner..he has since last two days stopped talking to me..Strange are the ways of democracy..
The BSP will be soon canvasing with a huge statue of a White Elephant and if they come to power here in Bandra .. well will have a statue of smiling Madam M at Carter Road.. one opposite Sharukh Khans house at Band Stand .. another one of a Dalit leader opposite Salman Khans house..
Democracy and the electoral process is the true pulse of our cultural ethos.
The MNS is not putting up any candidate ..this is one question or statement that needs no answer..Politics makes strange bedfellows too.. sometimes your enemies worst enemy becomes your best friend too.
98,508 items / 596,016 views
from an artists hand
in his own magical way
sculpting a goddess out of clay
head bowed
to her spirituality
that holds sway
they ask for peace
hope and harmony
as they pray
lost in the wilderness
she guides
shows the way
when misguided
we go astray
the human
soul a streak of light
black white and gray
pedestrian verse word play
amchi mumbai
embedded
in the soaring spirit
of bombay
bullets cant kill
the soul
listening
to jazz by the bay
98,501 items / 596,004 views
carried
on the wings
of angels
she floats
her being
blessing
the fishermen s
boats
peace hope harmony
this mother goddess
denotes
her serenity
her spirituality
her serendipity
sounds of musical notes
jai mata di
jai ambe
resounding
from parched throats
Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Om Aing Hring Kling
Chamundayei Vichche
as footnotes
shakti annapurna kali
a goddess emotes
Om Sri Maha Kalikayai Namah ||
|| kreem hum hleem ||
|| kreem kreem kreem svaha ||
|| kreem kreem kreem fatt vaha ||
|| kreem kreem kreem kreem kreem kreem svaha
good over evil
a goddess promotes
humanity and humility
two oars of our lifesboat
98,482 items / 595,982 views
ma ki shradha
ek aisa
anmol gehna
miljulkar humko rehna
dukh sukh humko sehna
jai hind humko kehna
isi desh main
hindustani
bankar rehna
desh bhakti
ka kavach
miljulkar
hamne pehna
dushman lalkare to
dan dhanadan dena
98,453 items / 595,936 views
I
belong to all
the rich
the poor
big and small
the blind beggar
has me
embedded
in his eyeball
the cripple
leaning
against the wall
the homeless
waiting for a windfall
for the malaise
of humanity
I
am the cure-all
my kingdom
has no boundaries
be it India or Nepal
born without feet
man walking tall
98,463 items / 595,943 views
arti on the beach
revelry fun
frolic commotion
durga enters
the heart of the ocean
following her trail
man extreme devotion
her love
his magical potion
wheel within wheel
in motion
a mother goddess
a momentous emotion
ma yeh duniya
tujh se he roshan
98,453 items / 595,936 views
You all love me
I know
yes I have to go
into the heart
of the ocean
as the winds blow
like a gushing stream
I flow
a cosmic
consciousness
all aglow
a sunset golden
yellow
my rays
into
your hearts
window
removing
your sufferings
your obstacles
your pain despair
your woe
on each one of you
my love my devotion
I bestow
from above
from below
98,345 items / 595,439 views
I was planning to move out of Dadar Beach as I was not satisfied shooting the Durga Visarjan in pitch darkness , the light on the beach came from the Artis ..
As I started moving out I saw the truck bringing in the Bengali Durga , on inquiry I was informed that they were from the Bengali Association of Antop Hill.. I told this person I was a shooting for the Internet..
It was here while shooting this Durga that I faced the ire of a gentleman who was absolutely rude and did not like me shooting pictures , I have shot so many Bengali pandals and this man educated , Bengali not drunk really shocked me no end..Maybe it was my attire or maybe it was his bad hair day , but I never expected such a behavior,.. Durga belongs to everyone and I as barefeet Muslim blogger brings her message of Peace Hope and Harmony ..as I shoot her with a divine passion and spiritual intensity as a photographer so she can be shared with all who pass by my blogs on Flickr Facebook Twitter Wordpress Blogspot and other sites that I post to including Live Journal and Vox.
I shot this man too.. and I am sure when he sees his picture he will realize that being polite courteous is also the most important ingredient of Ma Durgas hospitality.
