100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights

SmartCat · 5th April 2010, 00:18

Well, I did go about enquiring at Burma Bazaar for a traditional pagadi with an in-built camera (just like coal miners wear helmets with in-built torch light).

The "cool photographs" above have been taken by a professional cameraman, others by my younger brother. Looking at the photos coming up later, one can easily make out which ones were taken by a professional guy.

ampere · 5th April 2010, 05:46

Well now we know your name.

aargee · 5th April 2010, 08:32

@smartcat - sorry man, I'm getting bored now

; will wait to read from you on your adventerous trips & pls don't let the curtain fall of with "The End" and finally the hero & heroien getting married & the joker cracking an unwanted joke like a typical movie.

SmartCat · 5th April 2010, 11:23

I'm taking a break from posting travelogues, because I got bored of it! I probably hit the writer's block and run out of inspiration.

But normal service will resume after a week

Quote:

Well now we know your name.

My intro thread on Team-BHP -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/introd...m-bhp-fan.html

MX6 · 5th April 2010, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartcat

I'm taking a break from posting travelogues, because I got bored of it! I probably hit the writer's block and run out of inspiration.

But normal service will resume after a week

My intro thread on Team-BHP -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/introd...m-bhp-fan.html

Don't think it's a case of writer's block or lack of inspiration. Guess, you got frightened looking at your wedding photos.

Jagga, Karthic and others, please help SmartCat get back to his groove.

pravdr · 5th April 2010, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartcat

I'm taking a break from posting travelogues, because I got bored of it! I probably hit the writer's block and run out of inspiration.

But normal service will resume after a week

My intro thread on Team-BHP -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/introd...m-bhp-fan.html

smartcat im having diff in knowing how to embed google maps in replies can you guide me.

pg

SmartCat · 6th April 2010, 01:02

pravdr, I don't know how to do that properly either. What I do is take a screenshot using the PRINT SCRN button, edit it using MSPAINT and save the image as jpeg.

THE BIG FAT GEEK WEDDING CONTD:

Pic 1 & 2: I have had enough sitting around the "fireplace" with nothing much happening. I threaten go on a Kashi Yatra. I carry an umbrella, a fan and my boriya bistar and try to leave the hall.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_5819.jpg

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_5822.jpg

Pic 3 & 4: My uncle stops me and assures me that he has found a girl for me, and that she is getting ready for the marriage. Reluctantly, I give up my plans to go to Kashi and decide to stay back for the wedding.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_5823.jpg

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_5994.jpg

Pic 5: I call my brother to the mandapa, and ask him to sneak into the bride's room, take some photos of Pallavi and show me how she looks.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0029.jpg

Pic 6: Unfortunately, he is stopped outside Pallavi's room by a few sentries. He requested one of them to go inside and a take a couple of photos. All I got to see was this -

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_5813.jpg

Pic 7: Now I'm sent to my room, with my brothers & sisters guarding the room's entrance (so that I don't go out to see the bride). Meanwhile, Pallavi comes out of her room, in a resplendent blue saree. I bribed the sentries guarding me, and I was allowed to take a small peek.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0056.jpg

Pic 8: I had specifically asked Pallavi not wear any make-up for the wedding (because women look ugly with make-up), but it looks like the beauty parlour girl had applied atleast one coating. Anyway, with her family sitting around the "fireplace", their Pandit started reciting in Sanskrit.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0041.jpg

Pic 9: My parents gift her the Dhaarey Saree, and ask her to wear it for the marriage.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0074.jpg

Pic 10: Oddly, we are then supposed to exit the marriage hall, and come to the entrance where me & my family are welcomed by Pallavi's family. My future FIL holds my hand and invites me inside - waah waah! I begin to wonder if I'll get the same royal treatment whenever I go to Pallavi's home.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_5898.jpg

Ranjan Sharma · 6th April 2010, 01:42

^^^^ Are these rituals really performed in all your marriages?

Looks damn good, It is really amazing to be dressed like a king and act like too..!

Gansan · 6th April 2010, 09:45

Same rituals are performed in Tambrahm weddings too! I see a bit of difference only in the attire of the groom and FIL - especially the turban - we don't have one. Also the upper garment is worn a bit differently. The bride also will wear the "Muhurat" saree differently, but you have not yet come to that bit, so I will wait and see. And oh, it will be the Nadhaswaram instead of the Shenoy/Sax!

Nice pics and very interesting narration Ashwin! Bring them on, it really is a welcome interlude in the travelogue!

pramod · 6th April 2010, 10:08

Smartcat -- Looks like the wedding happened in Bangalore style.
Mangalore weddings would have the bridegroom wearing a different kind off turban. And also, the bride would have a white shawl on the saree.

Great log till now!

ampere · 6th April 2010, 10:18

Do agree with you. Last time I saw one of the likes was in Birur. It was fun taking the Jan Shatabi to Birur and enjoying the full day with nothing else but eating and strolling.

Though Mr Sun was heating at his best.

Spitfire · 6th April 2010, 11:28

Payal Chapalls!!!! Another sign that one is in the Konkan Area.

OT: When my dad was in Bangalore, he didnt like the funky Fila chappals I have. The next time he came, he got along 2 pairs of Payal - one for my wife, one for me.

SmartCat · 6th April 2010, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranjan Sharma

Are these rituals really performed in all your marriages? Looks damn good, It is really amazing to be dressed like a king and act like too..!

According to our Pujari - many ages ago, marriages in India were mostly fun and games with lots of intentionally silly events. But nowadays, marriages are mostly a serious affair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan

Same rituals are performed in Tambrahm weddings too! I see a bit of difference only in the attire of the groom and FIL - especially the turban - we don't have one. Also the upper garment is worn a bit differently.

In Tamil weddings, I think the groom always wears a "Peter England" or a "Louis Philippe" shirt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramod

Smartcat -- Looks like the wedding happened in Bangalore style. Mangalore weddings would have the bridegroom wearing a different kind off turban. And also, the bride would have a white shawl on the saree.

How sacrilegious! This was a Mangalore style (maybe perhaps Surathkal style) wedding. I guess there are different customs in Mangalore itself. And my wife just pointed out that what I'm wearing over my head is a Peta, not a Pagadi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Payal Chapalls!!!! Another sign that one is in the Konkan Area. OT: When my dad was in Bangalore, he didnt like the funky Fila chappals I have. The next time he came, he got along 2 pairs of Payal - one for my wife, one for me.

Those are called 'Payal Chappals'? We call them 'Hawaii Chappals' while Americans call them 'Flip Flops'.

Gansan · 6th April 2010, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartcat

In Tamil weddings, I think the groom always wears a "Peter England" or a "Louis Philippe" shirt.

Ha ha! In fact he wears just his "birthday shirt" and some garlands!

And the pujari is right about the fun and games! In those days the bride and groom would have been but mere children!

MX6 · 6th April 2010, 13:01

The Kashi yatra bit is the most depressing. Even now I tell all my goddamn relatives that I'd have been happier in Kashi.
Sometimes, my wife agrees as well.

Irrespective of where you are from, you always get stopped before going to Kashi and drag to the altar like a sacrificial lamb!

Then all that follows is

5th April 2010, 00:18	#481
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,429 Thanked: 42,957 Times View My Garage	Well, I did go about enquiring at Burma Bazaar for a traditional pagadi with an in-built camera (just like coal miners wear helmets with in-built torch light). The "cool photographs" above have been taken by a professional cameraman, others by my younger brother. Looking at the photos coming up later, one can easily make out which ones were taken by a professional guy.
	() Thanks

5th April 2010, 05:46	#482
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,952 Thanked: 12,944 Times View My Garage	Well now we know your name.
	() Thanks

5th April 2010, 08:32	#483
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,236 Thanked: 9,643 Times	@smartcat - sorry man, I'm getting bored now ; will wait to read from you on your adventerous trips & pls don't let the curtain fall of with "The End" and finally the hero & heroien getting married & the joker cracking an unwanted joke like a typical movie. Last edited by aargee : 5th April 2010 at 08:36.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 01:02	#487
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,429 Thanked: 42,957 Times View My Garage	pravdr, I don't know how to do that properly either. What I do is take a screenshot using the PRINT SCRN button, edit it using MSPAINT and save the image as jpeg. THE BIG FAT GEEK WEDDING CONTD: Pic 1 & 2: I have had enough sitting around the "fireplace" with nothing much happening. I threaten go on a Kashi Yatra. I carry an umbrella, a fan and my boriya bistar and try to leave the hall. Pic 3 & 4: My uncle stops me and assures me that he has found a girl for me, and that she is getting ready for the marriage. Reluctantly, I give up my plans to go to Kashi and decide to stay back for the wedding. Pic 5: I call my brother to the mandapa, and ask him to sneak into the bride's room, take some photos of Pallavi and show me how she looks. Pic 6: Unfortunately, he is stopped outside Pallavi's room by a few sentries. He requested one of them to go inside and a take a couple of photos. All I got to see was this - Pic 7: Now I'm sent to my room, with my brothers & sisters guarding the room's entrance (so that I don't go out to see the bride). Meanwhile, Pallavi comes out of her room, in a resplendent blue saree. I bribed the sentries guarding me, and I was allowed to take a small peek. Pic 8: I had specifically asked Pallavi not wear any make-up for the wedding (because women look ugly with make-up), but it looks like the beauty parlour girl had applied atleast one coating. Anyway, with her family sitting around the "fireplace", their Pandit started reciting in Sanskrit. Pic 9: My parents gift her the Dhaarey Saree, and ask her to wear it for the marriage. Pic 10: Oddly, we are then supposed to exit the marriage hall, and come to the entrance where me & my family are welcomed by Pallavi's family. My future FIL holds my hand and invites me inside - waah waah! I begin to wonder if I'll get the same royal treatment whenever I go to Pallavi's home.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 01:42	#488
Ranjan Sharma BANNED Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Benga'loo'ru Posts: 290 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	^^^^ Are these rituals really performed in all your marriages? Looks damn good, It is really amazing to be dressed like a king and act like too..!
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 09:45	#489
Gansan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,535 Thanked: 5,561 Times	Same rituals are performed in Tambrahm weddings too! I see a bit of difference only in the attire of the groom and FIL - especially the turban - we don't have one. Also the upper garment is worn a bit differently. The bride also will wear the "Muhurat" saree differently, but you have not yet come to that bit, so I will wait and see. And oh, it will be the Nadhaswaram instead of the Shenoy/Sax! Nice pics and very interesting narration Ashwin! Bring them on, it really is a welcome interlude in the travelogue! Last edited by Gansan : 6th April 2010 at 09:46.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 10:08	#490
pramod BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 480 Thanked: 323 Times View My Garage	Smartcat -- Looks like the wedding happened in Bangalore style. Mangalore weddings would have the bridegroom wearing a different kind off turban. And also, the bride would have a white shawl on the saree. Great log till now!
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 10:18	#491
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,952 Thanked: 12,944 Times View My Garage	Do agree with you. Last time I saw one of the likes was in Birur. It was fun taking the Jan Shatabi to Birur and enjoying the full day with nothing else but eating and strolling. Though Mr Sun was heating at his best.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 11:28	#492
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,312 Thanked: 774 Times	Payal Chapalls!!!! Another sign that one is in the Konkan Area. OT: When my dad was in Bangalore, he didnt like the funky Fila chappals I have. The next time he came, he got along 2 pairs of Payal - one for my wife, one for me. Last edited by Spitfire : 6th April 2010 at 11:34.
	() Thanks

6th April 2010, 13:01	#495
MX6 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: City of seven islands. Posts: 2,877 Thanked: 231 Times	The Kashi yatra bit is the most depressing. Even now I tell all my goddamn relatives that I'd have been happier in Kashi. Sometimes, my wife agrees as well. Irrespective of where you are from, you always get stopped before going to Kashi and drag to the altar like a sacrificial lamb! Then all that follows is
	() Thanks