On An Indian Morning, Flower Power Reigns
Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
This shot was taken on my sudden, unplanned ten-day India trip in early October last year. These garlands - known locally as `malas' - were on display at the Park Circus Market in Calcutta/ Kolkata. I was actually in the passenger seat of a car being driven by a friend - and took this photograph while we were on the move. Fortunately, because we were slowly negotiating a narrow laneway, I was able to take the shot through the open window. The orange and yellow blooms are marigolds, but maybe Cuckoo, GS or Patrick can confirm what the white flowers are. Frangipani, perhaps?
12 comments:
Whooo! Hoooo! David, you are one fantastic photographer. The colours are brilliant. Excellent...sure caught my eye this a.m.. One day I wish to take up this as a hobby, as of now I will continue to cut the heads and feet off of my poor subjects.
Deb
http://toiletpaper56.blogspot.com
Hi David,
The white flowers are of two types of Jasmine family. One is called "Chameli" in Hindi whose common English name is Spanish Jasmine and the other one is known as "Mogra" in Hindi whose common English name is Arabian Jasmine.
BTW, the picture is awesome. I like flowers as well as colours & you have shown me both. :)
Thanks.
A feast for the eyes..and if jasmine is there, for the nose, too! Aromas of jasmine always remind me of childhood, honey suckle of heartbreak, and roses of my wedding day.
Aren't the senses a wonderful joy to behold?
Hi Deb,
Lucky shot, that's all. The bright colours were perfect in the early morning light. The sunlight was actually behind the flowers, so it was a tricky shot because of the glare.
It's a great hobby to have - and I'd love to see some of your shots on that great blog of yours.
Cheers
David
Hi Cuckoo,
I knew you'd have the right answer! Thank you for educating me. How on earth could I have forgotten ``chameli'' especially with its stunning fragrance?
Strangely enough, I had never heard of ``mogra'', so thank you for providing that information.
I'm glad you liked the picture.
Cheers
David
Hi Carol,
You are so right. Roses and jasmine are a memorable waft, but I must get a whiff of honeysuckle one day - I don't think it grows in India or here in Oz.
There is a section in my novel Vegemite Vindaloo where I describe the flower stalls at the New Market in Calcutta. If you like the fragrance of many varieties of flowers, there is no better place on God's earth, believe me.
Cheers
David
I thought it might be jasmine, nice to see someone knew for sure!
I remember India for Jasmine - the closest I've come to it is a Dior fragrance called Diorissimo, I think? Hard to find in many American stores...quite wonderful.
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your wisdom is setting me right.
I may be showing my ignorance here - but I'd never even heard of that Dior fragrance. Must be really distinctive if it smells like jasmine!
Say hi to Neil for me.
Cheers
David
David,
Being a fellow Anglo Indian and having just returned from India myself, it was a delight to see your pictures of India.
Two types of Jasmine are the white flowers used in those garlands. If anyone wants to know, you can buy the attar of this flower in India and it is to die for ... Rajni Gandha, from Gulab Singh, Johrimal Delhi. It knocks the socks off any Western perfume for sure.
The rose attar from India is the best perfume I have ever smelt. Wear it with Tibetan jewellery and a white kurta and dark trousers and knock them dead!
Dear Linda,
Thank you for your commendation. There is just so much to photograph in India - you never know when to stop!
Thanks, too, for your comments about jasmine and those wonderful fragrances. ``Attar'' - there's a word I haven't heard in a while.
Thank you once again
David
Hi David,
Thanks for the heads-up! Would have missed your blogs, not being a hard-core blogger myself!
btw, thought I would mention: the Jasmine strings are usually just long enough to be worn by the distaff lot in their hair: besides the lovely fragrance, they look very cute, indeed, with long tresses! :–)
cheers
ck
Hi CK,
Thank you for that comment. Now that would be a great picture to shoot!
Cheers
David
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