Water of Life

“It's in responsibility that most people find the meaning that sustains them through life.”
— Viktor Frankl

Last of the Mahabaleshwar MTDC

There is a quiet serinity to the whole place. The ancient building (some from 1890s) and the ancient forests took you back in time.

March 2025. This was our last trip to the Mahabaleshwar MTDC. Now it is gone. Sold to some private contractor.

Over the years we have come here often. Starting from 2007. In the early days it used to be boys trips to the dormitories on week days or in the off-season. We used to have all the space to ourselves. We have had many a great time. One such epic trip from 2009 is documented here

We used to roam the points. Talk nonsense. Come back to the market to eat - chinese from Bahadur's cart, makkai pattice, strawberry and cream at Bagicha. Then head back to the MTDC for long sessions of daaru and jua and warewolf.

Then family trips. Me and Jo once randomly came and stayed here while returning to Pune from the Konkan -- we took the scenic route. We will miss you MTDC. Truly so.

The cottages nestled amongst the trees. This gave a vibe found nowhere else on the hill-station.

The ancient trees, all garnled and twisted

Politics and purposeful neglect. That is the story here.

The Market

After day long trips to the surrounding countryside to visit the points, the tired junta gravitate towards the famaliar hustle and bustle of the market. Here we find food and above all - shopping!

Strawberry seller

The ubiqutious Vada Pav

One of the food carts.

Buddhi ke baal

A local woman selling combs.

Kid's footware

Big lady-kid's footware

Shopping is the passtime. There was a time when places like these offered unique wares and local art. Now everything is made in China and available everywhere.

All photos shot on the Sony A7RIII with the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1 lens

Serious Observations of a Funny World

Me the Photographer

A few days back I decided that in the coming year I will focus on monochrome photography. I will study value and tone. And I will document my journey.

Recent events have resurfaced the question of what one means by a fulfilling life. What is that one really wants to do? Are we doing it? Time suddenly seems precious.

For long I have stood on the sidelines of photography. I started the journey when I was in primary school when my father handed me his Zenith-E with the 58/2 Helios-44. I have had a black and white darkroom for a while and I printed photos on Illford paper. I have clicked portfolios. I have shot for film promotion. And so on.

But I always hesitated to call myself a photographer.

Let me now embrace this aspect of my life. I am a photographer.

Portrait: The Jo

The Jo.
The Better Half. The supporter of life.

Single directional light. Iphone 17 Pro Max.