Eashwer Dass

A Dab of Red in a Lung of Green This amazing dazzle of a view I almost missed. My  concentration was more on my strained lungs and wobbling  legs.  To focus on limbs and lungs during a strenuous ascend up a steep slope was reflexive and more so a gravitating  requirement. Especially those tricky ones circumventing the hills in the Trivandrum district of Kerala, South India.  Thanks to a co-climber who in better  physical shape pointed out this little dab of red conspicuously floating on a vast ocean of green.  It was indeed a sight for sore eyes that   tranquilised   mind and body. With gratitude, I  replicated her soothing beauty, capturing her digitally and instantly share it  with the rest of the world.  ED. Location: Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad Grama Panchayat, Kerala.

  Coz, they don't give a tinker's cuss Take a look at kid's clothing, they would eventually be reduced to a faded and tattered pile of rags within no time but just hold them up for a while and reminisce on how much delight they would have given you as especially their lingering body odour.  Imagine the struggle that these fabrics would have tolerated against the best detergents available in the market and more than often lose the battle to come out clean and spotless. Definitely , a little more seasoned and a shade of colour loss from the rude tumbling of a  heavily soiled pre- programmed wash  mode  set on the  washing machine.  Just think of the little bodies these apparels host, the bodies that least care about the type of clothes their mommies or daddies buy them. No matter what type of clothes these little bodies are wrapped in, be it branded or a one picked up from the flea market on a bargain, its origin or history d...

The Brahminy Kite With iron-claw grip, the Brahminy kite remained perched on an insulated power line, that slung between two electric poles while maintaining a guarded distance from its predators. These beautiful predators are super cautious about their safety, which is only second to their deadly instincts for hunting. This majestic brown eagle watched us, watching her with our smartphone cameras rolling, photo shooting the rare event that was going to be multimedia material in the split second after the sound of shutters dies down. The event went on for a few minutes with the beautiful bird fluffing its feathers while showing off and probably even aware that it is being remotely digitalised in megapixels as video clip trophies going viral for human entertainment. The bird finally got a little restless, maybe even a little bored and decided that its time would be more wisely spent not by amusing humans, but rather shopping for a prey without a prayer whic...

Colours of a Peacock Nestled deep in an oil palm plantation in the humble town of Maran in central West Malaysia, is a century-old Hindu temple that rears peacocks. The peacock is considered sacred because mythology has it that it is the preferred mode of transportation of Lord Subramanian, who is also the patron deity of worship in the said temple. The peacock never seems to amaze me with its awesome coat of colours that it wears, especially when it fans out its feathers in a courtship ritual. What truly inspires me from this, is to appreciate the finer details of every colour application that exists around us.  There is not a single thing in nature that is off colour or coloured in bad taste, it simply means that God has coloured everything we see meticulously with perfect design and taste. We are then, only left with the task to view, appreciate, replicate and occasionally write about it in absolution. EDit. This picture was taken during a visit to Maran Maruth...

Blondies These primates actually wore blonde hair and looked as though they had just come out of a hair salon sprucing up for a party at the Forest Reserve of the Trivandrum district in Kerala. They reminded me so much, of what we would do when we have a party. The requirement for preparation for a great party is getting dressed up, getting sloshed and lots of monkeying around  symbolising  man, ironically as the social animal. Edit. Location: Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad Grama Panchayat, Kerala.

An Artist’s Impression This man has made many trips to India. An artist, he calls himself and with only one thing on his mind, which is to capture her entire beauty on his easel.  He says to accomplish this, it will take an infinite number of journeys to this sub-continent and which he wishes that he can scrape off every detail of it delicately and paste it onto his canvas in the exact manner he experiences them. EDit. Location: Varkala Beach in Trivandrum District Kerala

Child Operating System The operating system of a child’s mind stands out to be more advanced compared to an older version, like a classic of the sixties just like yours truly or me. A child handles a computer, a smartphone or any other gadget with great ease just like a natural and can take on any adult at entry level. Something that makes one wonder about how these babyfaces, not even fully toilet trained and still creating unimaginable stuff in their diapers, while just armed with only a birth certificate had mastered how to manoeuvre complex devices with great dexterity, with no coaching. These newer additions to the human race seem to have some sort of ‘learn by feel’ program hardwired into their psyche giving them an edge to synchronize with interactive technologies. EDit.

Mongoose This busy little mongoose made a quick appearance before dashing back into the bush, but nevertheless, my nimble fingers ably triggered my Samsung NX300 shutters, trapping the nifty, little camera-shy creature instantly, digitalising and imprisoning its image in the secure digital confinement of an SD card. This picture was taken at the foothills of the forest reserve in Trivandrum district, Kerala, India. The Mongoose is the sworn nemesis of the cobra and will fight till either one dies if they were to ever cross each other’s path. As folklore has it, the entire world will live in total peace and harmony with no wars to fight for eternity, only if the mongoose and the snake became friends. EDit. Location: Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad Grama Panchayat, Kerala.

The image of an entrepreneur When you see a person like this standing in front of you with his hand held out to you and not in a gesture to shake yours, but instead requesting a token in alms or rather begging you to part with some of your money, what would come to mind? Are beggars’ losers? Or is there something else that deceives the unsuspecting donor?  Many third world countries have sad images like this painted for tourists who rather wish they did not have to deal with.  Begging is a fail-proof career because all one needs to invest is time and to look as miserable as possible. A career which is rewarding by being self-employed, while having the flexibility of choosing one's working hours with no tax man to bother about. This could either be an operation in the form of a syndicate, a private enterprise or even a family business. Now I ask you, what would come to mind if you saw a beggar again? Location: Tamil Nadu South India

Antics of a Wedding Package   Recently, while strolling along the PD beach, relishing nature’s amazing gifts, the blue ocean, fresh air and the sound of its relentless waves, I thought, I saw an angel.  Elucidating this as either a sign from God or the tremendous rush of blood to the brain caused by the shifting sands and random pebbles kneading continuously underneath my bare feet, I continued to approach her.  This beauty in a white flowing gown, with a face glistening in a concoction of perspiration and melting cosmetics that was beginning to precipitate stood orphaned under the shade of a palm tree. From a distance she resembled an angel on a stopover from heaven, taking a break on this uninhabited beach assured of total obscurity from God’s children. As I approached her, she looked just like an imagined picture of God’s angel with wings clipped, just like a one from Baywatch, but retrofitted in a different wardrobe.  She told me that she was g...

I t was official then, that the new journey had just begun. My cell phone portrayed a digital picture of my friend wearing a bleached synthetic wig. A picture of him in a black suit when all he wore before this day had always been a white garb. From the food-stained apron armour , wielding saucepan and ladles like weaponry in the hands of a mercenary and performing meticulous culinary skills to the demands of a connoisseur’s palate who feasts on it with fine dining cutlery. He is now a certified able demonstrator of the law, being the protector of those who are troubled by it or those who want it to trouble others. The recipe of persistence has concocted the sweet taste of an ambition, which finally came true and now called to order. All rise to hear the judgment on he who stands accused of this exemplary feat. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!  Was what was said before a loud thud came from the drop of the gavel.  EDit . I write this piece about a dear friend ...

This BLACK mad bad boy’s artistically exuberant presence was the most gratifying justification for my good money spent on tickets, fuel, pop-corn, coca cola, parking lot and most importantly precious time on an overrated, star-studded, huge budgeted movie where acting was visibly being slowly outsourced to the GRAPHICAL might of computer technology. Unfortunately he, my hero was crushed in the movie making the next sequel of BAHUBALI, a sure bet of watching a pirate in private.  EDit. The villain played in BAHUBALI the movie.

Clouds building up a storm and soon its silver linings will burst to begin spurting water in the opposite direction of the fountainhead. KLCC lies scrapping the skies behind the Photographer Raj Gautam in this enigmatic photo.EDit.

An acquired taste that can prick your wallet If you are a durian lover, then you are so doomed! We now live in a time that the price that you pay for your acquired taste is as bizarre and freaky as the robust smelling delicacy itself. It’s become quite unthinkable to stop along roadside stalls breaking long journeys across the countryside to indulge in one of our many National die hard habits, which is to savour on fresh durians as well as other local fruits and produce. Enter the new business concept of cafes just serving durians and curtains down to the days when Malaysians just enjoyed squatting on roadsides to gobble up the fruit sold at throw away prices. The top of the range of the fruit is known as the Musang King and has an asking price of RM 70 to RM 100 per kilogram, whereas, in China, people actually pay a King’s ransom to sink their teeth into its sweet yellow flesh. A durian contains 5 or 6 pieces or fleshy seeds inside its compartmentalised...

The Proverbial Pirate in Private The Malaysian Film Censorship Board’s Proverbial Axe found its latest target, the Hindi movie titled Padmaavat. The movie is about a love affair between Alauddin Khilji, a Muslim ruler and Padmavati, a Hindu Queen that sparked controversies and criticisms in India. The Proverbial Reason not to give an immature Nation an Axe to Grind, after being fuelled by deep hatred and unrest watching its explosive content was the usual reason for the chop. The Indian Censor board, un-flinched by threats of a huge bounty offered to behead the actress along with its director also gallantly played down criticisms by Hindu groups about its Historic authenticity, which only displayed tremendous trust on its citizens. The Movie collected approximately 12,000,000 Ringgit on the first day but no real red blood was drawn or split apart from the prop in its sets. So, let’s watch a Pirate in Private within the confines of our own home box office theatre instead. EDit...

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH The lads were trapped and they knew only too well that the old man would not give up easily. Highly intoxicated, they were not in any mood to compromise their freedom which meant finding a way out of the tight situation they were in. The only way out of the neighbourhood was blocked by a gutsy old man, and that man was Steven Ng Teen Cheong. It was a classic OK Corral showdown once again, but instead of Marshal Wyatt Earp of Tombstone, Arizona, packing a six-shooter firearm, it was Steven Ng, the Sheriff of the Rukun Tetangga or citizens beat base of SS 25, PJ, armed with only a broken tree branch and packing raw guts. The motorbike engine revved furiously like it was getting ready for a flag off in a motorcycle drag race, but instead, it was only to warn Steven Ng, that he was standing in harm’s way if he did not pack it in, make like a tree and leaf. The boys on the bike were notoriously familiar in Steven’s neighbourhood; they have been snatc...

Birthday Party Today, I attended the birthday party of Methu Shan, my four year old friend who celebrated his it at his Play School. It was a rich and rewarding experience to watch kids do their thing in a classroom, apart from their size they behave just like adults. My eyes became the lens of a camcorder recording every moment of the gracious celebration, which in my thoughts should be made mandatory by every Government in every country, for every kid to celebrate their birthdays at least up to a certain age. From my arrival to the premises till the end of the event, the camera was rolling, recording it to mind which translated the entire event as something more than just a birthday party. It was a simultaneous recall of my own life at that age in comparison to his, running on two separate screens, fortunately both were in colour even though the our age gapped  a good fifty years but colour was already in by then. My friend had a twinkle in his eyes...

Dairy Farming Eyeballing the local dairy industry to sufficiently produce milk for consumption, while trying to reverse the high dependency on its importation is like taking the bull by its horns. The dairy industry in this country has been in failure mode for almost forever and as the consequence, it has made dairy produce an expensive delicacy rather than that of necessity. It has totally endorsed a new definition to the expression Milk Money, making it ever so contrary to what it really means.  Milk is a natural fuel for the human body and the goodness that is associated with consuming it is universal. It would be sacrilege to prevent it from being available in abundance and reasonably priced. Milk along with its derived products are only accessible to the rich in this country and therefore the lower income groups have been deprived of it due to the many and repeated blunders of the irresponsibility shown by the administration of this country.   What is...

Kalamisation 15th Oct 1931 to 27th July 2015 India has been prosperous in producing a wealth of sons, daughters, saints and even Gods, as great legends etched in the annals of history, but today she weeps bitterly in bereavement for the loss of one more of her jewels from her treasures.  A.P.J. Abdul Kalam from Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu was one of her most versatile and precious. To best sum up Abdul Kalam in one sentence is, to say that he could simply place his hand in murky water and turn it, into pure crystal clear, thirst quenching water to drink. This man was no GOD but, he moved the hearts and souls of people who sealed his messages with their tears of joy everywhere in India, and the world. Like Arjuna in the Baghavad Geetha who was both warrior and righteous, Abdul Kalam too was not only a humanitarian, but he was once the President of a powerful nation and also the architect of its modern nuclear and rocket technology whic...