रुबाई - Rubaai: pattern

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Wandering Destination : Vikramkhol Cave

Wandering Destination: Vikramkhol Cave

Vikramkhol caves located in the Sundargarh district is known for the prehistoric rock art and rock inscriptions found reserve forest of Belpahar.

The ancient cave located in Banjari village bears a script written by then resident humans far back in the 4000 B.C (Mesolithic Period). Details about the caves were first published in Indian Antiquary in 1935 by historian K.P.Jayaswal.

The size of the inscriptions is 37 meters in lengths, 5.65 meters in breadth and 8 meters in height. All these engravings both figurative patterns and motifs were pigmented with ochre color. As per IGNCA report [4], at present there is a single specimen of the painting of a honeycomb pattern drawn in bichrome of dark red and white and a host of engravings. A replica of the inscription is exhibited in State Museum of Odisha located in Bhubaneshwar.

The ancient symbols engraved on the walls of the cave of are

Paintings of flora and fauna (footprints of animal, deer, cobra hood marks, cupules, cobra hood marks, palm, and floral design)
Geometric shape (triangles with or without a depression at the center, obliterated portion of a rhombic pattern, honeycomb pattern, dots, Roman, and Brahmi alphabetic form, oval carpet shape)
Circular holes dug in the wall where weapons, dress and other articles of use were being kept suspended
Floors, where circular holes have been dug to pound the grains

Even though Vikramkhol is a tourist place, it lacks the protection to the artwork and lacks the facilities for the visitors. Rock shelters discovered are deteriorating because of lack of attention. The inscriptions are open to the air, maximizing chances of fading over time or vandalism by the visitors. As it is located inside Reserve Forest of Belpahar range, the remote access to the place has also contributed to neglect by Government Agencies.

How to reach:

The caves are about 33 Km from the nearest town of Jharsuguda in Odisha. On NH49 cross the Belpahad railway crossing and at about 2 Km leave the highway to go towards Hemgir. Continuing on the road for 7 Km, one can see a temple on the road, turn left to enter the forest and follow the dirt road for 3 Km to reach Vikramkhol.

Always keep left once you leave the main road.

A video showing the entrance to the cave road:

Some important tips:

Just after the rainy season, the 3-Km road from Grindola to the cave is not motorable. People are advised to keep your car on the main road and walk the distance through the cave.
Forest roads are not mapped on google map. Seek directions from the locals. They are very helpful.
Carry water and food especially if you are walking. There is no arrangement for food and water at the cave.
Photography is allowed.
No entrance fee.

Childhood means simplicity !

" Childhood means simplicity.

Look at the world with the child's eye

- it is very beautiful. "

- Kailash Satyarthi

I would love to read the captions and readers experience about fairs !

Oil and water

Setup for Oil and water:

Setting up to capture oil emulsified in the water certainly is fun and creative. With a simple setup explained below gives the opportunity for capturing infinite combinations of colors and patters at home. The philosophy of shoot is similar shooting smoke from scent-stick.

In a glass bowl/dish, mix equal amount of water and oil
Keep the bowl/dish at some height.
Keep a colorful paper/design with bright colors in the space between the bowl and table
Use flash to light the background i.e.the colorful paper
Shoot from top, perpendicular to the plane of the liquid to use least depth of field and maximum shutter speed. Higher depth of field may be avoided.

Tips for better results:

Use a dedicated macro lens and accessories
Clean the glassware before use
Use bright multi-colored paper / design for background. I used magenta bottle for some photos.
Try different backgrounds
Keep the water/oil mixture stirring periodically
Use a strong daylight - setup should be near a window
Shoot handheld, tripod might be irritating to handle since need to change the composition and place of interest frequently
However, take advantage of both.
Try using design on the glassware as well instead of simple plan glass
As always shoot RAW and edit them

Try to shoot from angles

"Oil in water" is different than "bubble of oils in water"

Try glassware with designs

Visiting a beach for sand patterns

Visiting Bhatye beach for sand patterns

In my earlier post, I posted some snaps of textures I observed at Bhatye beach near Ratnagiri. In this post, I am presenting elusive sand patterns seen at the same place.

Camera: Nikon D7000

Lens: Nikkor 105 Micro f2.8, VR IF-ED

Flash: SB-900

Location: Bhatye beach, Ratnagiri (MH)

Visiting a beach for new textures and patterns

One evening I planned to visit the calm, clean, and famous beach in Ratnagiri - Bhatye beach. I thought to have some photos for a blog-post on places-to-visit-near Ratnagiri. During the photography session at Bhatye beach, I realized the opportunity to photograph some new textures and patterns, which could be found exclusively at a typical clean beach. Here are some selective photos:

NOTE: Double click to see sharper image.
Due to some reason, images are seen blurry.

Construction stone

Some interesting structure created by some marine insect

Another view

Removal is good !

Typical red-stone from Konkan area. Take 100 pictures, there will be hundred different patterns

Sea water, wind and the light creates the magic by adding tints to the original red color

Bottle green color due to algae, could be a good texture for cotton Sari

My favorite - a sea shell, again that cyan-green combination, lustrous texture, curvy lines add to the beauty

Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Nikkor 105 Micro f2.8, VR IF-ED
Flash: SB-900
Location: Bhatye beach, Ratnagiri (MH)

Fern patterns

Texture and patterns has topped the list of my photography subjects. And happened due to a single reason, end of season. Around Mumbai, for butterfly, flowers, and macro photography, season ends around December. After that, its like famine in the photo world for macro photographers. In Cotigao, I started capturing textures and then realized that pattern photography is twin of texture photography. Here is some of initial work about this form at Brick making site at Vangani, some new patterns discovered from older photo albums.

Here are two photographs of fern pattern I took in local nursery ( I don't know the species, sorry for that :-) ). First one is my favorite mainly because of the back-lit conditions. Here light reveals not only 3D embossed impression but also the texture of the fern leaves. Second one I took just after gardener watered the plants. Looking for more patterns this rainy season. Rain has already started around Mumbai, its time to go out !