2014 R&R in Rajasthan - and Agra

This trip materialised over dinner in Singapore in early 2014. We were talking about going on holiday together, and Kooi Fong said ‘Let’s go to India’ - she and Brian had never been, and were of the (mistaken) view that going to India with us two “Indians” (Shobs and me) would be “safer”. B wasn’t exactly jumping with joy or anticipation as India wasn’t on his ‘to visit’ list…but he said ok too.
It turned out to be a fab holiday - full of royalty (and decadence), religion (and history), lamb biryani (and Old Monk) - and of course perfect company.

But still, it was mostly blue
jodhpur
Humans of Jodhpur
Always obliging, and that 'anything goes' hand gesture when asked if I could take their photo
faces jodhpur
jodhpur faces ageing
Bhavesh of Blue City
faces jodhpur children
Also Bhavesh of Blue City
faces jodhpur children
She was cycling in the alleys, no iPad/iPhone/handheld game in sight
What an idyllic childhood
faces children jodhpur
One of a group of men who were sitting around, chatting
There's even a word for this sitting around chatting - 'athai'
"Where are you from? Singapore? Singapore very good."
faces jodhpur
I thought he was going to say 'no' to a photo
... then, that almost imperceptible nod of the head, and a super fleeting smile when I thanked him
jodhpur faces ageing
Another obliging Jodhpur-ian
I got a pat on the shoulder and a big smile when she saw this photo
jodhpur ageing faces
Silversmith in the old town
Happily offered various anklets for us to try
jodhpur artisan
Only KF was game
...the Indianisation of KF continues
jodhpur
Festival time.
...and streets were cleaner than usual
jodhpur street
The women were always more brightly dressed than the men
jodhpur faces ageing
Another city but still the same colourful women and the monochromatic men
Silversmith (2)
"Is this (look) ok?"
jodhpur artisan
Anji & Yoges
Consummate posers
jodhpur children
His mother insisted he pose for this
He wasn't too happy...runny nose and all
jodhpur children faces
Even the cows in Jodhpur were sociable
You scratch my chin, I'll scratch yours
jodhpur animals
"They're taking our pictures because they love us."
Ironing shop boys/men - uber friendly
jodhpur
Bangle shop man - "Where are you from? Singapore! Singapore very good, Jodhpur not good!"
We thought Jodhpur very good...
KF stops for bangles in Jodhpur
Kuldeep stops for a bindi to complete KF's look
Typical!
Brian stops for KF
The look - complete!
jodhpur faces
Besides lamb biryani, pappads featured prominently.
In search of Bikaji Pappads
The clock tower market continued to buzz - even at night
jodhpur night market
Our first wallet lightening stop at Jodhpur
"We do for Kenzo, Miu Miu, LV. You understand Kenzo?"
jodhpur shopping
Our most charming stop - Narlai
View from our balcony at the Rawla Narlai.
Moon over Narlai
Narlai
Evening puja at the Rawla Narlai
Narlai religion
On our way to our stepwell dinner. Celestial showers...or a dirty lens?
Would prefer to think the former!
narlai
The sadhu (or sadhu lookalike) with the magical voice
narlai
Taxi - Narlai style
Narlai
The sadhu reappears (clothed) to serenade us from the stepwell
narlai
Photo courtesy Brian
Indianisation continues
Narlia
400 oil lamps, a singing sadhu and a step well
Sunrise en route to the top of Shiva Rock
Narlai
At Shiva Temple on Shiva Rock
Shiva Rock - "Only those who are meant to climb it will climb it."
Said the Rana at the Rawla Narlai
We were meant to climb it
faces Narlai
I had sweaty palms watching him come down this 45 degree slope in flip flops
On the rock
[Photo courtesy Shobs]
A village walk

Shyamala Thilagaratnam

Photo Essays

2014 R&R in Rajasthan - and Agra