Bollywood "Glitz" and Rustic Charm....A Portrait of INDIA (part 1): The South (1)

Xander202 · #1 Posted: **Oct 10, 2011, 2:12 PM**

TO VIEW ALL MY INDIA THREADS!!!!

PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5

Part 1, Mumbai to Hubli (Karnataka)

If Japan is my favourite country, then surely India is my second. I love Asia, I love to travel in Asia, but India is the absolute ultimate. It is the wildest, the craziest, and the greatest assault on the senses.

My father (actually parents I suppose) runs a business importing handmade paper for artists from India. As a result I have been fortunate enough to have been visiting India pretty regularly since I have been only 5 years old! However, having not been for over 6 years I jumped at the opportunity when my dad told me he wanted me to do the photography for his website. I was tasked with traveling to the factory he co-owns with his Indian partner to photograph the paper-making process, as well as the colours and sights of the surrounding area (country, people, villages etc).

The factory is located in Hubli in the state of Karnataka. This is pretty far from the usually traveled tourist trail. I spent the first week of my recent 2 week India trip in Hubli. It was great as I saw literally no other western faces the entire time, and got a pretty intense and genuine experience of a fairly un-traveled part of India.

I flew into Mumbai from London, but spent only one night there. I had a decent chance to explore the city however. It is a fairly dense, intense and bustling city, both modern and backward at the same time. This thread covers Mumbai and some from Hubli and Karnataka, and my next thread will further cover my time in Karnataka. After a while down there I was fortunate to have time to go up north to Delhi and Rajasthan, which I will cover in later threads.

Expat · #2 Posted: **Oct 10, 2011, 2:42 PM**

Splendid! Thanks for bringing this to us!

Nineties Flava · #3 Posted: **Oct 10, 2011, 6:00 PM**

This thread was absolutely incredible. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into India.

Rico Rommheim · #4 Posted: **Oct 10, 2011, 10:03 PM**

A thread of faces! Different faces of a city, different faces of people. Bravo!

Chef · #5 Posted: **Oct 10, 2011, 11:14 PM**

I love this thread. Thanks.

destroycreate · #6 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 3:33 AM**

There really is no place like India. One of the most challenging, infuriating, and fascinating places I've ever been to. I went backpacking there at 19 for a month with a bunch of friends. I couldn't wait to get the hell out, but the moment I landed back home, I yearned for the excitement and colors. This thread brings out that urge once again. Thanks!

ShadowMaster · #7 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 4:04 AM**

LARGE and in CHARGE! A wonderful showing!

It's good having you share photos with us from that part of the world. Can't wait for your next gallery.

Okayyou · #8 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 4:29 AM**

I'm quite happy to see India by your lens. Great job capturing the intensity of the streets and cities. Loved all the people shots too. I need to get to India one of these days. Looking forward to part 2.

mello · #9 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 4:51 AM**

Nice thread, I had the misfortune of going to Delhi the January before the Commonwealth Games and the construction of the metro really jacked up the traffic flow. I do want to go back and see the South of India.

harryc · #10 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 10:42 AM**

Thank you ! a wonderful start to the morning.

Travis007 · #11 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 12:55 PM**

Great personalities, and such friendly and beautiful people. India is definitely a thrilling place of exotic contrasts.

stepper77 · #12 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 5:32 PM**

Incredible. It really paints a picture of the people. I'd definitely like to see more of India. Thanks!

Miu · #13 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 8:42 PM**

Great set. I just got back from Mumbai and some of my pictures are very similar to yours...except that yours are much better.

Alas, I never made it to southern India. I hear it's much more relaxed than the north.

ColDayMan · #14 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 9:31 PM**

You really do make the creation of portraits seem easy.

Xander202 · #15 Posted: **Oct 11, 2011, 10:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miu

Great set. I just got back from Mumbai and some of my pictures are very similar to yours...except that yours are much better.

Alas, I never made it to southern India. I hear it's much more relaxed than the north.

Actually Mumbai is really considered the south (although its really in the middle). Having been to both north and south, I would certainly say that in terms of culture and feel Mumbai is much more southern than northern. But it is a huge huge city, so if course it isn't going to be relaxed like the country.

LSyd · #16 Posted: **Oct 16, 2011, 6:55 PM**

great tour, thanks. i like the subtly different pics of the same subjects.

what's the story with the tower in the background? under construction? demolition? renovation?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56142126@N03/6223214228/

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montréaliste · #17 Posted: **Oct 16, 2011, 8:46 PM**

Great thread Xander.

Canasian · #18 Posted: **Oct 19, 2011, 5:57 PM**

WOW! Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!