Semaphore signals and night skies have been two favourite subjects of mine. However, given the incessant march of urbanization and the resultant light pollution, it has been incredibly hard for me to combine to two in a single image. And with the semaphores dwindling rapidly from the Indian Railways’ network, I was desperate to find a location where I could find pristine night skies and…
One night in Amritsar Jṉ
Railway yards are unwelcoming places at their very best. A smorgasbord of of metal, noise and human sweat – they are intimidating for someone who does not belong there. There is always something new – the smell of fresh paint, a brand new coach being delivered, a new recruit. There is always something old – rusting parts, decrepit buildings and men who have spent their entire…
Of Hoops and Flames
In the middle of the night, a train is blaring its horns, announcing its arrival at a wayside station. A man, casually walks across the tracks and takes position on a tiny pedestal. In his hand, a blazing torch and a hoop of wire with a pouch that contains a metallic ball. He then waits for the train to come straight at him. He is…
Last Stand of the Lower Quadrants
Tucked away in a corner of the Punjab, lies a nondescript town named Dhuri. If you ask the locals, they claim that famous movie-star Dharmendra, spent his youth working there. The Indian Railways however, has a habit of attaching great importance to nondescript towns. Dhuri, for them is an extremely important junction. Four lines radiate – north towards Ludhiana, east towards Patiala, south towards Jind…
To Digpa Ratsa Ri
Sometimes, it just comes together. Months of planning, researching and preparing pays off. We were given the opportunity to spend some time at one of the highest astronomical observatories in the world – The IAO in Hanle, Ladakh. The following video is a selection of time-lapse sequences capturing the skies above Hanle, and some other locations elsewhere in Ladakh. Enjoy in full 4K resolution if…