Street Art in Delhi Lodi Gardens

Lately the Lodi Gardens in Delhi has witnessed an outpouring of artistic creativity on some most unlikely objects - trash cans! A walk through the park brought me face to face with a myriad set of patterns, colors and moods expressed by different artists from across the city and other world locations. The mundane green fiberglass cans have suddenly turned into virtual canvases and whenever an artists is applying a finishing stroke, visitors stop by and ask for permission to take pictures. Delhi Street Art launched this initiative a few weeks back with a handful of artists and this rapidly grew into a mini "art revolution" with nearly 40 others joining in! 

Street Art

Delhi is not exactly the city that comes to mind when I think of Bohemian lifestyle and freely flowing creative juices. Its hard to spot a street musician or a subway entertainer in this town and surely the typical city walls are also bereft of any expressive artistic strokes. Historically being both the political capital and the bureaucratic citadel, Delhi has frowned upon most things unconventional and fun. But, all that is changing in some of the chic urban villages in and around Delhi and creativity is peeking through layers of dusty traditions and stuffy attitudes. Stylish cafes, designer boutiques,  hole in the wall galleries and much more are slowly but surely changing the landscape as well as the mindscape of the city. Public art is popping up in most unexpected corners and is probably here to stay. Maybe it will not be that unusual to see a sitar player in one the city's underground metro stations, one of these days ...

Rag Day Flag

On the 15th August, India celebrates its Independence Day and this has been happening since 1947. Not a lot happens on this day except some speeches by politicians and parades and rallies in towns and schools. What does happen a lot are sales of the Indian flag - at every street intersection and marketplace.

I happened to run into some rag picking kids playing with the tricolor flags in the heart of New Delhi. As soon as I approached them Jassi the little girl started beaming with the anticipation of being captured on a camera. With each picture taken she and her friend would crowd around me and break into shrieks of joy seeing some of their antics and shenanigans captured in bits and bytes. They were surely celebrating with gusto so we decided to carry on the party to the local tea shack where a warm sweet cuppa was cherished by all with dunkin cookies. 

Night Moves in Bangkok

Bangkok - A city that's constantly bathed in neon hues and never ceases to offer bright lights and dazzling encounters. A city where street food is simple yet sumptuous and roadside bars are always well stocked and rarely tacky and tasteless. Taxis in shocking pink are just as much a part of the city's fabric as are massage parlors, dance clubs and lady boys. Everything that suits a shopper's fancy is just a night market away. Yet Bangkok remains artful, friendly, clean and affordable - night after day.

Market moments

Markets in Goa are just as colorful and chaotic as those anywhere else in India. The only difference is that foreign residents and visitors jostle for their share of susegad as much as the locals. A flea market in Anjuna or a night market in Arpora can be as exciting as the local shops in Mapusa when it comes to bargain hunting or downing a glass of a chilled brew! Here is a glimpse of a few sights. More details and many more images will follow in subsequent posts!