India - the Land of Kitsch

India is THE BEST PLACE FOR ART LOVERS ON THE PLANET! Seriously, turn your head any way round, and spot art. What do you think attracts foreign visitors to India despite the sickness, dirt, poverty, crime, heat..la di da, la di da? It's not the happy poor, it's kitschy art. In bazaars, religion, dressing up, you name it. 

Here you notice the fine ART of henna work. Pretty, isn't it?

Our ancient structures have the kind of detail which would have taken years to build, and that we still can't replicate today. It's not just the instantly identifiable outer structures of monuments, its the work hidden away in nooks that only a sharp eye can spot and a dexterous hand can photograph. For example,

A lattice window at Humayun's Tomb

Some forgotten window at the Taj.

An ill-cared for window at the Red Fort

In every direction, you see colour as you. We may be deviating from our objective of being a traveller's blog here, but these observations are from experiences from past journeys. Imagine a scene of panoramic majesty, with the Himalayas looming high in front of you. And blowing in the wind are several thousands of Buddhist prayer flags...the scene takes my breath away. If this isn't beauty, what is?

Now, let's talk of kitsch of another kind. One which is intended to be art. Like the beautiful inlay work of the Mughals and Rajasthani Maharajahs. Or the ancient scriptures of Buddhism...each a jewel, not just in its teachings, but in its visual splendour. Want to see?

A Pillar at the Junagarh Fort at Dungarpur

Wah! Taj

And we all know, that women are a more colourful sex, and everything pertaining to them is vivid and bright. And when women are mentioned, could jewellery be far behind? Look at some of the gems (figuratively!) we sw at bazaars.

A horde of junk jewellery!

This article was meant to be more a visual treat than a literary object. Before signing of, I would like to quote our dear Principal: "If there is a God, He lives in India.."

Patratu Valley, Jharkhand