The Royal Procession Photo

Photographer’s Note

"Taragarh Fort must have been built by angels not by human beings," commented Rudyard Kipling.

It looks beautiful. A steep climb up the hill, then through enormous Hathi Pole or Elephant gate , we were inside the Taragarh Fort of Bundi. In its heydays this fort was well known for the tunnels criss-crossing the entire hill side facilitating the King and his men to flee in case of imminent defeat in wars. Most of the tunnels are blocked with rubbles now.

The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of the city's structures. It was constructed in AD 1354 upon the top of steep hillside overlooking the city. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'. The fort is a popular tourist viewpoint of the city below. The fort contains three tanks which never dry up. The technique with which they were built has been long since lost but the tanks survive as a testament to the advanced methods of construction and engineering in medieval India.

In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes, of which the Parihar Meenas were prominent. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena king called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called "Bunda-Ka-Nal", Nal meaning "narrow ways".

Turning right from the gate, up the steep cobblestone path, I saw this beautiful mural adorning the wall. It’s not old, but I was led to understand that there existed an old painting on the walls earlier. This was only a reproduction....but painted true to Bundi Style of painting. From this POV, I wanted the viewer to feel being a part of the Royal Procession...This is an experimental shot, but I don't know whether I succeeded with my intention! Pls. feel free to critique harshly if you don't find the picture engaging enough! I could have brought my camera an inch or two down not to cut off the elephant's foot, a fault which I admit.

gervaso, belido, pierrefonds, thaprem, leo61, Urs, PixelTerror, Graal, danos, papagolf21, subhendu_bagchi, ChrisJ, josepmarin, Didi, Royaldevon, jafadabret, bukitgolfb301, riclopes trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

eversmile (6381) 2009-10-22 1:22

Hi Angshu

The dynamical effect of your POV is phenomenal. It's so alive! I love the fact that the place is empty of real people (very unusual in the ever so crowded India) I have the feeling to enter in a cartoon, with vivid, joyful colors... invited to take part in a saga. So, your intention is successfully reached, and the pleasure is increased by the festive scene and brightness. Congratulations.
Regards
Marine

PS: Did you had the opportunity to see the movie (cartoon) of Nina Paley : "Sita sings the blues" in which she created a parallel between her own story and the destiny of Sita, based on the Ramayana of Valmiki? That's truly funny!

gervaso (5616) 2009-10-22 2:28

Hello, Angshuman!

That's a very interesting painting with elements typical of your coutry! I like this kind of art on the walls! Great colors! Beautiful job!

belido (16775) 2009-10-22 4:35

Namaste Angshu,

a true show of colors. What an attractive wall painting...much better than the bad taste graffitis we can find anywhere. Good perspective and visible textures. Very well done!
Regards,
Carlos

pierrefonds (26581) 2009-10-22 5:02

Hi Angshuman,

The diagonal line done by the wall is an asset to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the artwork on the wall. It is sharp and clear. The morning light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

pauloog (6825) 2009-10-22 7:13

Hello Angshu,
Good to capture this mural with its vivid colours and telling scene. Good perspective from the point of view of the elephant.
Regards,
Paul

thaprem (2498) 2009-10-22 7:47

Angshu,
The colours are dazzling and the composition is engaging in a strangely Kipling's Kim POV!
Well done.
Cheers,
Prem.

leo61 (43650) 2009-10-22 10:22

Hi Angshu!
I love this style of paintings and I bought some in Udaipur,painted on old book pages.

Nice perspective,good sharpness and wonderful bright colors.
Regards,leo

emjleclercq (14458) 2009-10-22 13:44

Good frming for this colored "fresco", a bit different for the urban tags I see in my own place.

All the best,

Emmanuel

emka (22177) 2009-10-22 14:03

Hi Angshuman,

So funny painting. I like this dancing elephant very much. Nioce colours. the painting looks not so old. I like this perspective, is dynamical and amusing.

regards

Malgorzata

JT50 (1021) 2009-10-22 14:16

Hi Angshuman,
Clarity of the capture
is remarkable. Lovely
colours. Like your POV.
regards.
Janak

Urs (3182) 2009-10-22 21:53

Hi Angshuman

In Bundi I have been last time in 2000, but at that time the Maharani did only allow to visit a very small part of the palace near to the entrance. I have never seen this painting nor the tunnels. Your note as always is very well informed and interesting. I like Bundi a lot, the people is so peaceful, it's not like a town more like a rural place. Kota at the other hand is not my favorite, the monkeys are to big and hanging around the housings. Good angle to photograph the painting, makes the almost walk. Well done

Best regards
Urs

PixelTerror (86691) 2009-10-22 22:07

Namaste Angshu
I like it...not so much the bit of sky and roof but I don't see how you could avoid them. What makes the image strong is that the scene, even though not directly under light, is shining thanks to its vivid tones. The angle is dynamic
Have a nice day JY

Graal (58616) 2009-10-22 23:54

Hi Angshuman,
unusual image. Fine palette of colours. Great work of artist. Well note and presentation. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

danos (33126) 2009-10-23 0:46

Hi Angshu,
informative your note about Taragarh Fort,with the painting of the wall to be a recital of colours and movement.I like the perspective as the POV that lead the eye to the entire scene.well done.

Regards,Danos

papagolf21 (56675) 2009-10-23 0:46

Bonjour, cher ami Angshu,
Très belle fresque murale aux couleurs éclatantes. Encore une image pleine d'intérêt.
Belle réussite une fois de plus.
Amitiés.
Philippe

subhendu_bagchi (3452) 2009-10-23 3:05

Pronam Angshu da,
beautiful art work in wall. You have captured it with nice POV. The depth is fine. Light management is perfect. Great to see the hint of blue sky in top left corner. Great composition that provides lively look of the paintings. Tfs.
Khub sundor chhobi.
Subhendu

Waylim (11093) 2009-10-23 8:10

Hi Angshu,
Beatuiful wall painting and I like you POV when the elepant seem even more significantly larger. Beautiful details painting as well as your photo of the painting. Color so vivid and beautiful. You give just enough suggestion of the building that we can imagin it's size perspective. Good one.
Way

ChrisJ (70443) 2009-10-23 9:07

Hi Angshuman

I love the colourful wall mural, of the procession of people, horses, & elephant. Good sharpness, perspective & framing. Tfs!

arnabchat (7052) 2009-10-23 9:44

this is as gorgeous as it can get, a procession on its way.
i am not completely happy with the framing, a little less or more on the top left would have made this a better 'composition'.
Greetings from a cloudy, rainy and very windy Trieste,
Arnab

pablominto (41200) 2009-10-23 10:25

Hello Angshu,

The graffiti of times gone by..?
Impressive colour palette and sharp details all the way as f/9 seems to cover it...
A different presentation, fresh and eye-catching!

Greetings,
Pablo -

marietom (32062) 2009-10-23 11:16

hello Angshu,

Jolies couleurs, pour ce mur bien présenté.
Bonne soirée
Marie

josepmarin (34017) 2009-10-23 11:19

Namaste Angshuman,
In my opinion the framing that you chose is correct, and though it cuts a bit the feet of the elephant, I do not consider it as a fault, because if you were lowering your camera the problem then would be on the upper part.
I like this wall painting and the perspective towards the left side.
Good work of popularizing of the traditions and the culture in your country.
Friendly regards,
Josep

Didi (36390) 2009-10-24 2:18

Salam Angshu
Indian tags are better then European ones.
Very nice colured wall and good crisp and sharp picture.
Best regards

Royaldevon (5938) 2009-10-24 4:13

Hello Angshu,

Your angled shot certainly draws the viewer into the procession, especially as we have the traingle of f/g on which to put our feet.
Wonderful sharpness and the vivid colours have lost nothing in their capture!

Thank you for the explicit notes which add much to the understanding of your shot.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

jafadabret (40217) 2009-10-24 8:13

Bonjour Angshu.
Cette fresque est très vivante et très agréable. Ta photo la met bien en valeur. Beau travail du peintre et du photographe !
Amical salut !
Jacques

bukitgolfb301 (4907) 2009-10-24 12:01

Hello again my dear Prof. Angshuman

What an another amazing and impressive shot!
Well tight framework and calculated composition, sharp focusing and are marvelous and splendid as usual!
Very colorful but funny painting. I can imagine the deepness of Indian culture from your work every time.
Congratulation on your masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a nice Sunday!

Takero

Bluejeans (32945) 2009-10-25 16:13

Ola Angshuman,
Que belezas de pinturas neste muro a representar uma cerimónia , bom ponto de visão em diagonal , boas cores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

riclopes (33119) 2009-11-16 1:13

Olá Angshu, I love art painting on walls and got atracted to this one. I wouldn't mind participating in this kind of restaurations...may be in another life ;-) Wonderful colorful perspective starting with this big elephant that makes a great FG. My eyes are stuck in this corner and I wonder if it's also because of that face staring at me... ;-)
Thanks for your visits. My participation in TE is much more reduced now and I don't even go to see the entries...Everything is going very well for us in Spain, including the work of Ana. I love our place in spite of the lousy internet and Ana still didn't give up of finding an alternative in the center of the city. So, we still visit houses for rent once in a while. Today we'll visit one of those.
hope things are going well with you too.
Um abraço,
ricardo

Photo Information

Copyright: Angshuman Chatterjee (Angshu) (34027)
Genre: Lieux
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2008-11-01
Categories: Oeuvres d'art
Camera: Canon 400D (Digital Rebel XTi), Canon 18 - 55mm / f 3.5 - 5.6, RAW, Hoya 58mm PL-CIR
Exposition: f/9.0, 1/25 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Versions: version originale
Carnet de voyage: Rajasthan, The Circuit Lesser Known
Date Submitted: 2009-10-22 0:33