Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Mei the force be with you

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID: India4 083)


This sight stopped me in my tracks, not just because of the misplaced capital Y, nor the intriguing "only for ladies" stipulation. It wasn't even the fact that the beauty parlour sign was in three languages. It was, I guess, just the combination of colours and the two contrasting entrances.

This was shot in southern Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) during a brief visit to India in October 2006. If you've read either of my novels, you'll know that India features strongly in my writing - after all, that is where I was born and educated.

23 comments:

Brian Miller said...

but i want to be beautiful too...

david mcmahon said...

Let's start a petition, Brian!

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm sure I'm already perty enough.

david mcmahon said...

Yes, Charles, Lana will vouch for that!

Cheshire Wife said...

Thank you for following me.

I think that I would be more interested in the Forward Club next door.

Thumbelina said...

Only you... could find the art in the sign. Well spotted.

Thank you for your visit. Much appreciated... and the youngster read too and appreciates. :) Hope Wednesday is great for you!

Mimi said...

I'd still prefer it to the signs so popular here now, like Kute Kuts, Hair of the Dog, or Curl up and Dye.
On the "ladies only", a ladies clothes shop in Dublin (now closed!) used to have a sign on the door that read "We would be obliged if men waited outside".

imac said...

Did you go and have a spruce up then David?

Virginia said...

OK , I"m amazed this is India. I would have thought China or somewhere similar. Live and love!
V

Ayak said...

Reminds me of the disapproving looks a man gets if he happens to walk into a ladies hairdressers here. Or likewise a woman walking in to a men-only teahouse!

Interesting shot.

Kim said...

I was glad to see that you joined my club over at the Child! I'm looking forward to reading your second novel...is it the same process I took in attaining VV?

david mcmahon said...

Hi Cheshire Wife,

Will check it out next time I'm there! Stay tuned ....

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Thumbelina - my eye is always drawn to curious sights such as this!

david mcmahon said...

I'm intrigued by the description of that Dublin shop, Mimi!

david mcmahon said...

I did think about it, iMac!

david mcmahon said...

I actually wondered the same thing, Virginia - but there is a very interesting Chinese influence in Calcutta.

david mcmahon said...

I'd love to see shots of that, Ayak!

david mcmahon said...

Kim, I'd be honoured if you did read my second novel. Yes, I reckon you could order it the same way - I'm told they deliver very quickly.

Would love to know what you think of the book ....

Maggie May said...

I think the *Y* has had to be misplaced because of the curly Chinese writing that went too high.
It makes a good picture, as do all the ones you take!

Where can I get your new book?
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Rune Eide said...

Maybe they are having a Diamond Jubilee all of their own, though I thought that was only for British Monarchs of the female sex.

CiCi said...

What is the poster about the Forward Club? I like the doors to the establishment. Great colors in the photo.

Daryl said...

Poor Mei looks as it could use a beauty salon treatment

Akelamalu said...

I'm off to Goa three weeks today David. Any tips?