Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONThis picture, taken on my most recent trip to India in October, captures a symbol of Calcutta. These high bat-wing wooden windows are something I remember from my own childhood. The horizontal slats could be raised or lowered, depending on the angle of the sun. The red brickwork, too, is very common in the city where I was born and as you can see from the ornate work surrounding the windows themselves, intricate craftsmanship was very much a part of Raj-era architecture. But there is another reason I took this shot. These windows look directly out onto the stunning Raj Bhavan, or British-era Government House.
Click here: Shutter 1/125, F5.6, ISO Speed 200, Flash disabled.
15 comments:
From our upstairs back windows you can look straight across half a dozen gardens to the main road, and the big old house on the other side of it.....and it is PINK WITH GREEN SHUTTERS!
That's it. Rain or no rain. I'm going out to take a picture of it for you!
I've done it! Have a look
HERE!
I put your photo next to it, with a link and a copyright notice- hope that's ok. Normally I'd ask first but I wanted to suprise you! LOL!
I lived a few years in a granite-stone house in Bellary. All windows were of the style in your picture, moved up and down holding a rib in the centre. The building was probably home to a British officer long ago, and it stood at the foot of a hill which had a fort on top. I went to high school at the time.
Thanks for sending me on time travel!
Hi Helena,
That is so kind of you. Have visited the blog and left a comment.
Really touched by the kind gesture. It was a wonderful surprise and no, of course you didn't have to ask my permission - you've known me long enough!
Cheers
David
Hi Shashikiran,
As you can see, this reply is posted a couple of minutes after your comment.
The home where I grew up in Calcutta had windows like that - and I have taken my Australian-born children to see the house that has such amazing memories for me.
In fact, you can see the story at Terry Fletcher's Anglo-Indian Portal ....
I'd love to see you post something about Bellary. Memories like that are always so precious.
Cheers
David
Hi Helena,
You really are Speedy Gonzales - there was only 1 hour and 15 minutes before your first comment, taking the picture, posting it and leaving the second comment!
Say hi to Dilly and Bob for me.
Cheers
David
My "sasur-bari" (in-laws' home) in Nabadwip has them, too. They eliminate the need for curtains and give privacy while allowing the cool air to flow in when they're opened ever so slightly.
Nabadwip, by the way is just across the Ganges from Mayapur which is the world headquarters of ISKCON and where it was first established. I noticed you'd mentioned them in your story about feeding the jailbirds.
Rene.
Beautifully textured shot David!
david,
you foxed me with that title. ;)
how i wish i had a window like that for my home.
Hi Rene,
I always learn from you. Do you know, I'd never thought of them as eliminating the need for curtains, but you are so right.
Our house in India had them too - and when we took the kids to see the place in 2003, the old windows were still intact!
I didn't know that fact about being the world HQ of ISKCON. Thank you for continuing my education!
Cheers
David
Hi Mushy,
Lucky shot. Early morning sunlight, with a bit of shadow from an old tree ...
All I did was line it up and click!
Cheers
David
Hi RK,
I thought the title might trick a few people!
See Rene's comment above for some really interesting facts on these windows.
Cheers
David
Hi David,
Lively Picture from a great angle. I visit your blog regularly, but was not dropping any comment for time constraints.
Kolkata is now under water.After massive rains, we all are water locked, boats are sailing in the canals(roads), and people are struggling for foods, even for drinking waters, its horrible.
Hope you are fine, I am keeping well here and back to blogging world.
Rds,
Pijush
Hi Pijush,
Great t hear from you again. Yes, I've been following the saga of the floods and I believe that people were using boats on Amherst Street.
Hope you are well and enjoying your holiday.
Take care
David
Yep, purdy. Love old buildings.
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