In Badami, women tend to sit together in front of the house, do some work and yap with their neighbours. Kids, restless that they are, keep going back and forth on the narrow streets, more often than not in their school uniforms. The younger men go out of the house to work. Old man have a difficulty in spending time. They gather under the ficus tree, in front of the temple, or wherever there is some space to sit. They discuss about world changing events, gaze at people walking on the street, try to strike conversation with anyone and everyone, play something and gamble or just continue to stay bored.
This evening, I spent time taking pictures of a few of them, and naturally a conversation or two followed. Somehow the first question that pops up in everyone’s mind is “where are you from?” Subsequent questions can vary, but still belong to a small predictable set. ‘What do you do?’, ‘Are you a tourist?’, ‘Can you speak Kannada?’, etc.
I am at Badami, and for the first time posting something when I am on the road. The journey yesterday night was mostly sleepless. The roads were smooth for first half of the way, but it was too early to sleep. In the second half, the sadists who designed the roads decided to place a hump every 25 meters, ensuring that no one can travel in comfort, forget sleeping. That means I landed here bleary-eyed, and spent more an hour or two napping in my hotel in the morning. The only good moment on the way was seeing the overflowing Tungabhadra Dam at Hospet in moonlight. It must have been full moon day or the days adjacent to it.
Later in the morning, I had my breakfast and walked towards Agastya lake. The narrow path to the lake goes through densely packed houses. Most of the houses has some women or children sitting outside and killing time. When I heard two such kids pleading for a photo, I was glad to oblige and pulled out the camera from the bag. The next was a turn of an old lady, who was equally eager as the kids. She was with a group of 3-4 women on the veranda, and had spread some grains around them for cleaning. She laughed jovially and asked to be photographed. Again, I was happy to oblige. There was a bit of excitement among the ladies when I took out the camera. They barely spoke first, but got chatty as soon as they realized that I speak Kannada. In these parts, they still think you are from a faraway country if you are hanging out with a backpack and a camera.
If I remember correctly, the lady’s name is Eeravva. She tried to pose and became stiff when I pointed the camera at her. I pulled back, smiled at her and said ‘you are supposed to smile’. The women around laughed, and Eeravva joined them too and said ‘I have a very big mouth’, indicating that she may not look very good smiling. The ice broken, I took a few pictures as she smiled. I was invited for tea soon after the photo session, but I politely declined. The conversation that ensued between us on the street was very typical – I was asked about my whereabouts, my family and what do I do for a living. Eeravva blurbed her story, and about her children unasked. I was invited for lunch that afternoon before I continued further towards the lake.
I am taking off this evening for a short visit to Badami. I have been wishing for a while to see the places in the rainy season. The time has now come. I don’t think it is raining much there at the moment, nevertheless I hope the landscape will be alive and lush. While I am there, I am not just going to try and capture the imagery of the monuments, but photograph the landscapes as well. And for the first time, I will also try my hands on making some short videos.
A photograph from my earlier visit to Badami
So far I was not used to updating India Travel Blog when I travelled. I would always process my photos and write posts about a place on my return. For the first time now, I will try and publish a few posts from the location as I travel. It all depends on how much time I get, though. Watch this space.
Also read: posts from an earlier visit to Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.