Stories | Photography

Fingers & Feet

Ankur Aras — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:05:34 +0000

Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. -Paulo Coelho.

Starbucks MUMBAI

Ankur Aras — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:26:49 +0000

Starbucks. Mumbai, India.

This Starbucks, reminded me of my days in Puerto Rico. When I used to stop by Starbucks, almost every time when I was in Old San Juan.

Location: The Taj Mahal Palace.

Opening hours: 7am to 11pm (Monday to Thursday)

7am to 1am (Friday to Sunday).

Internet: Free Wi-Fi.

Palak & Roshan

Ankur Aras — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 03:16:57 +0000

Khotachiwadi

Ankur Aras — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:54:19 +0000

Kotachiwadi, Mumbai.

A heritage village – in Mumbai. Kotachiwadi is located in Girgaon. This neighborhood has wooden houses with verandahs, staircases and (sometimes) courtyards. Graffiti, ceramic sculptures etc can be seen on walls. To explore Kotachiwadi (on foot), one has to walk through narrow lanes! Some lanes have trees. Some lanes have houses on both sides. The architecture seems Portuguese or Spanish. Most residents (I hear) are descendants of the original inhabitants.

Presently the community is much smaller. There are about 25 houses. Previously there were about 50 houses.

Kotachiwadi is also close to Gaiwadi – an ancient neighborhood.

Kotachiwadi, Mumbai.

James Ferreira. Kotachiwadi, Mumbai.

Kotachiwadi, Mumbai.

Anantashram Restaurant. Kotachiwadi, Mumbai.

Anantashram was a popular restaurant that was serving Konkani cuisine. It closed about two years ago. The restaurant would open for limited time, during the day.

Kotachiwadi, Mumbai.

Rohan

Ankur Aras — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 17:27:32 +0000

Isfahan

Ankur Aras — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:27:44 +0000

Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Market – Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Market – Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Market – Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Old Town. Isfahan, Iran.

Armenian Church. Isfahan, Iran.

Isfahan, Iran.

Stone Bridge. Isfahan, Iran.

Isfahan, Iran.

We are in Yazd. Two more days left in Iran. Conversations, laughter, long walks, Istaks and Persian stories – are coming to an end. Instead of going to Isfahan, I want to spend an extra day in Yazd. My friend is not listening! “We must visit Isfahan”, she is saying.

So we are on the evening bus to Isfahan! Arriving early morning, when its still dark, and the city is still sleeping. Soon we are sharing a cab, to the city center. One passenger is shouting (over the fare) at the driver. My friend is laughing. Clueless of the words, I am watching the scene. The day is beginning!

Soon we are at the city center. Roads are empty. Restaurants are closed! The city is yet to start functioning.

A while later, we are entering Old Town and spending our day there.

Tehran

Ankur Aras — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:48:59 +0000

Tehran, Iran.

At Mumbai airport, during check-in, the airline staff is informing about: the flight delay. The airline staff is clueless about the departure! Moments later, the airline staff is stopping passengers from clearing immigration. So some passengers are annoyed! One staff member is surprised at the volcano of anger! Finally we are clearing immigration, but still clueless about the flights departure. During the ten hour wait: I am browsing through shops, having coffee, ordering food and watching travellers!

Finally, I am arriving in Tehran, at midnight. While driving to the hotel, I am getting my first glimpse of Iran. Plenty of cars speeding on the roads. Some people are working – transporting fresh fruits in old cars.

The following day, I am meeting a freind. We are taking a bus, to Darband. “We are on the biggest street in the Middle East. Its Vali e Asr“, my friend is saying. The bus is leaving us at Tajrish. We are walking to Darband from Tajrish. While exploring Tajrish, on our way. The market, the streets and life. While we are getting traditional ice-creams, the ice-cream man is guessing my tag (geographical boundary)!

“Our planet is in a mess because of mistrust, but truth stands and happiness will win”, my friend is telling me : during one of our many conversations.

For ten days, we are travelling (through simple, historic and luxurious places), sharing stories (mainly my friends, the place and its people) and attending a sufi music concert (by Farman Fathalian, at Milad Tower!).

Its my first time in the middle east. Merci.

Daughter’s only WISH

Ankur Aras — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:25:33 +0000

Girl : Searching for her father and sister.

Her family escaped their hometown- to live in peace. Its a family of five. Parents and three kids (two sisters and a brother). They were travelling to Greece, by sea. When the ship was turning, before reaching Greece, one sister accidentally fell in the sea. Father jumped to save her. However, ship continued, leaving the father and daughter at sea. Thats the last time she (girl in the photograph, above) saw them (sister & father).

After reaching Greece, she started searching for them. For seven months, she was walking in the streets, looking for them. However she could not find them.

She is not sure if her sister is alive. She is certain her father is alive. She says, “her only wish is - To meet her dad“.

Can someone get her only wish to the attention of, United Nations?

Photograph (below): Sister & Father.

Missing: Sister & Father

Pune

Ankur Aras — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 16:26:09 +0000

Wisdom. From a man who visited (on his way home) Koregaon Park, set up shop and stayed there! People, from countless places, visit the shop. I think, mainly to talk to the man. When busy having a conversation, he will turn down business. Often surprising visitors: with wisdom, experiences and hospitality! His name is Mr Jahan.

Place: Pune.

Jaipur

Ankur Aras — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:57:10 +0000

Jaipur: Around noon, my train is reaching ‘the Pink City’. While walking out, I can see, the place is more ‘Brown’ than ‘Pink’! A rickshaw ride through the city, is showing me the colourful place it is. Majority of colours can be seen on clothes! But, I find ‘pink’ missing!

Later in the evening while driving me to the market, a friend is pointing out to the pink of Jaipur. The ‘pink’ of Jaipur is different than ‘my perception’ of pink. Still pink is just one of the colours. Yellow, white, green, indigo, red etc are also a part of the city- in a big way! Brown seems (to me) – the most common colour!

Camels & elephants – continue to be a part of public transport. Cycle rickshaws too.

One day is reserved to visit – Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace & old city, With lunch at, City Palace! Along with my friend’s point of view, from her colourful city, in Rajasthan!