Just About Everything

Christmas at Bow Barracks This Christmas I finally landed at Bow Barracks, I always wanted to visit Bow Barracks during Christmas but somehow I never made it there before. It is not just Bow Barracks; the entire city comes alive during Christmas. It is really-really nice. Bow Barracks is located in Central Kolkata, very close to the Bowbazar police station. The best way to reach Bow Barracks is to take the metro and get down at "Chandni" metro station. It is only 5 minutes walk to Bow Barracks from Chandni metro station.. You can't miss it during Christmas because it is lit up so well. The Barracks have been in existence since the First World War. During Christmas Bow Barracks comes alive with music, events, Santa Clause, fruit cakes, wine, merry making, and lots and lots of fun, love, and laughter. My favourite part this Christmas was to come across a vendor who was selling home-made toffee. I had last seen such a vendor when I was perhaps 6-7 years old. I used...

Amur Falcon A trip to Doyang-Pangti area in Nagaland in October is a must visit for anyone who wishes to witness these amazing migratory raptors. Amur Falcons are sighted in the Doyang Pangti area near Kohima in Nagaland. What is amazing about this migratory phenomenon is the sheer number of these birds. From a distance it would seem like the sky is full of insects and not birds. Every October these Falcons can be seen migrating in large numbers over the Doyang-Pangti area near Kohima. They fly over India from Siberia and their final destination is South Africa.I am sharing photographs borrowed from Soma Jha who was there in Nagaland in October. Because of the sheer numbers in which they migrate, the Amur Falcons become vulnerable and many of these birds do not survive this journey, not because of natural reasons, but purely because they are hunted for food. In parts of North-Eastern India, they are trapped and captured in large numbers. However, on a positive note, ther...

It is that time of the year again. Yes, Jazz fest 2014 just got over today after a three day Jazz music affair that most of us wait for eagerly. This time I got  a chance to watch Sumith Ramachandran perform. As usual I loved the ambience and the music. Here is a clipping from the Jazz fest 2014 (Saturday, Nov 29th) at The Dalhousie Institute, Kolkata Some of the the other artists who performed this time were, Four On A Swing, The Ska Vengers, Th richens Tentett, The Shuffle Demons, The Bodhisattwa Trio, Monojit Datta... You can also check out a clipping from the last year's fest at  Jazz fest 2013 Kolkata .

Sharing a very brief video of idol immersion. You will get a glimpse of idol immersion in the Ganges. The water and the lights make the whole scene dreamy and peaceful. Not a very clear video but you can make out the boats at a distance.

Flameback Woodpecker I am sharing pictures of birds that flocked around my house (South Kolkata). We don't usually get to see a Woodpecker or Jungle Maina that easily! The Jungle Maina picture is not good at all but I put it up anyway since we don’t get to sight it that often. Jungle Babbler Jungle Maina Koel

Today is Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) and it is the last day of Durga pujas, and like every year, we think Durga puja gets over too fast and too soon L And like every year, I saw some amazingly beautiful creations this year. I will post some of my favourites in the next few posts. On the occasion of Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra), I would like to leave you with a message that I received from a friend today:- Dasha Hara is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within us: Kama vasana (Lust) Krodha (Anger) Moha (Attachment) Lobha (Greed) Mada (Over Pride) Matsara (Jealousy) Swartha (Selfishness) Anyaaya (Injustice) Amanavta (Cruelty) Ahankara (Ego) So Vijaya of Dashmi literally means overcoming and defeating these bad qualities. I wish you a  life full of joy and peace. Happy Dussehra.

Hoolock Gibbon (female with a baby) North East India is amazing in terms of the diverse flora and fauna it supports. It is therefore not surprising that the only apes found in India, The Hoolock Gibbons, are found in North East India. The populations of these apes are on a decline.I am sharing some pictures of both the male and female Hoolock Gibbon. These pictures were taken by Some Jha during her Arunachal Pradesh trip earlier this year. Hoolock Gibbon male Hoolock Gibbon female