Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Bazar


Last week a Christmas Bazar was held at the church compound of St Patrick’s Cathedral (Pune)
It was fun and I also had some time to observe the place (and people) in detail.
As I was there before sunrise, I had a good opportunity to see the sun coming up, casting long shadows (a photographer’s delight)

People were getting ready with the stalls, sipping in hot tea and waiting for the customers to come in.

The 8 O’clock sun was a good time to click the steeple of the church. Sitting at one of the stalls I had ample time to observe the eagle sitting on one of the steeples. (or rather on the lightening conductor)  Its mate came down and both went gliding together around the steeple, and when they were tired they would rest for some time. I presume there is a nest around.

St Patrick's
Cathedral

Now looking at the close up of the eagle, I was wondering if the pole of the lightening conductor is designed with the forethought that a heavy bird can possibly sit on it.

The sun caught the banana tree in the right mood.

And so was the path to the Bishop’s house.


After every service, people thronged in and the deserted tables were full of activity.

Some liked the home made pickles while others bought the young saplings that were for sale. 

Oh yes there were eatables too and who wanted to miss the yummy and hot cutlets. Some preferred the Vindaloo over the Sorpotel. 

Vindaloo Vegetables  (the above photograph is by Marianne from Flickr)

I saw some making a beeline to the fried fish and chicken roast counter (probably with the hope that they don’t have to cook for the Sunday afternoon)
Chicken Roast

I liked the way this gentleman parked his walking stick around his neck while sipping the hot coffee.




As far as the buying power is concerned, it is the kids that decide and steer the parents about what to buy. No wonder most of the ads on the television are aimed with the kids in mind.

Starting from the tiny tot. This one (above) was attracted by the bright colours on the next table and kept leaning towards that (even though there were lovely brownies right under her nose) But the brownie table was not attractive and colourful for this one year old !!

Then there were the young ones and teenagers who knew what a Brownie really meant and how it activates the salivary glands. 

The best brownie in town So here was a boy who kept pulling his dad back, coaxing and cajoling him to buy “just one daddy , only one pleeeese”

Finally his dad relented and bought a box full (can see the boy’s happiness who just could not believe that he is finally going to slurp his Brownies)
I had to keep clicking without anyone noticing the camera, but this smart girl did spot me, while her parents were busy making the purchase.

44 comments:

Amrit said...

Beautiful pictures :)))

A good photographer like you, knows when to start taking pictures and decides the time accordingly. So it was not your luck..it was your intelligence to be out there at that time. :)))

hamaarethoughts.com said...

nice pictures..I really like the bird sitting majestically..the sun crossing through the bushes and trees gives a very fresh look...Christmas is jus two days from now..
"MERRY CHRISTMAS"
have a blessed one!!!

Connie said...

Really nice pictures, Joe. I love the one of the eagle. I'd be heading for those brownies too if I were there! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

ratieh said...

nice pics..seems that you've so much fun at the bazar. =)

thx for visiting my blog. i'm following you now. would you pleas follow me back? =D

myonlyphoto said...

I like Christmas Bazars!
Happy holiday season to you and your family. Have a wonderful new year 2011. Anna :)

Renu said...

Lovely post!! I like this type of bazaars, but I hardly find any in Chennai:(.So many times I feel like taking pictures, but then I dont know whether I can post stranger's pictures on net or not for the fear of offending them.

Renu said...

And Merry Christmas!!!

Neha said...

Beautiful pictures and each one shows your expertise with the camera! Very well done.

I miss the Christmas Mela we have every year in my hometown. Though I visited it last year and it was like revising school days!

Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

Rachna said...

Very nice pictures and each one has a story around it. You narrated beautifully.

RamNarayanS said...

Lovely pictures sire. The moods beautifully captured (yep, so true that non-posed pics show a gaiety and captures the mood in the snaps). Your camera does have a fairly nice zoom (the eagle on the steeple)

Merry Christmas.

S. Susan Deborah said...

Joe, now I know why you post only once or twice a month. You wait and wait so that you can weave magic with your pictures n stories. I noticed the cute Kajol-Devagn couple in one of the newspapers which was used for the fish or chicken curry. Tried to read the snippets. Force of habit, you see. People and food can never lose appeal for a photographer and a reader. As long as you dole out, we will be consuming your stuff greedily. Loved the lone eagle. I like the way you somehow find birds through your lens.

Joy always,
Susan

Alka Gurha said...

Lovely pics...they say it all.

walk2write said...

You know how to capture the many flavors of Christmas and of your community. It takes an eagle eye like yours to find the treasures.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Unknown said...

Joe,
This is Xmas feast for the eyes.
I loved it. Marvellous pics.
I appreciate your talents,taste and timing.

'Merry Christmas'

Francis(Kunjjachan)

Nita Rane said...

Hey Joe, Merry Christmas, and wonderful post once again. These photoessays are so much fun to read, its almost as you are transported back to scene looking at it through your eyes. Do you cook, hope to see some shots of christmas sweets made by you:)

Christine H. said...

They are beautiful pictures. I feel as if i were there, which is nice because where I am it is damp and cold. Some of that Vindaloo would be nice right now.

subu said...

Merry Christmas!

Jon said...

It would have been good, if the ISo was adjusted to get more prominence on the shades of sunlight the early dawn..



we had something similiar in our church last week, but they were too overpriced and the dishes were pathetic too qualitywise.

atlast the organisers themselves had to purchase it!



and you have a few pretty faces in ur church!

Insignia said...

the cathedral against the blue sky and the eagle perched majestically are just clicked so fine. The brownies are yummy :)

Priya Shankar said...

Love your pics! Makes me miss India.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi,

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas filled with joy,peace and happiness.

Very interesting photos.

I was surprised that you wrote about St.Parick's Church because I was there in the church in Jan.I have some photos.One day I will post those photos provided I have not lost them.

Best wishes,
Joseph

dr.antony said...

Nice pictures,as usual.
A keen sense of observation.Simple things,which otherwise would go unnoticed,come to life through your pics.
Have a wonderful new Year.

Unknown said...

nice pictures and commentary joe. you really took me through the event.

i liked the narration and pic given on man parking his walking stick and enjoying the cup of coffee/tea.

Kristina said...

Your pictures of Indian food are making me jealous! I was only in India for two weeks but right now I want to go back :)

Shilpa said...

Merry Christmas Joe chetan to you and all at home! You captured the festive season in Pune beautifully!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I enjoyed visiting each table and (visually) walking through the Christmas Bazar. If I was really there I would have liked to try the red-color stew/soup. It looks delicious!

Your photo captures are beautiful and fun to see.

Sending wishes for a very Happy New Year!
Kindly, Lorraine

kiran sawhney said...

This Christmas bazar looks so much fun. very nice.

Thérèse said...

That's all what life is about. This place looks like fun.
Thks for visiting Chandler a to z.

Sh@s said...

Nice clicks as always. Liked the one with a eagle. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

James said...

Very nice shots. The eagle with the blue sky behind it is so cool.

Short Poems said...

Lovely pictures, I enjoyed them!
Happy Holidays :)
All the best
Marinela x

Letha said...

Nice photos and post. Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

Geeta said...

Lovely pictures and a nice write up. The effect of light on the Church is beautiful and my next favorite is the one with the eagle.

Happy Holidays and have a wonderful new year.

Trotter said...

Hi Haddock! Wonderful shots!!

Have a Happy and Successful New Year!! Wish you all the best!!
Horus and Sobek wait for you at Kom Ombo… ;)
Enjoy!

kyooty said...

What great photographs. I can't dare show my hubbie the Vindaloo or that will be all he'll want me to cook for a month! :) It probably isn't as well made as that looks.
The photographs are wonderful. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog.

hamaarethoughts.com said...

happy...new year ..2011 to you and your family.....have a good one!and write frequently :)

Arati Harikumar said...

Beautiful pictures, they are self explanatory!! Also wishing you a very Happy New Year 2011!!! :)

Kmarie said...

Thanks for stopping by on my blog. As I am looking at your pictures I am wondering what it must be like to be surrounded by beauty all year long. each picture is full of colour and inspiring. Here in Canada during the winter we lack colour and my eyes get starved for vibrancy. It is so refreshing to see green after continually seeing white!
Thanks for sharing.

Indrani said...

Lovely candid captures.
Wish you a Very Happy New Year!

Tomz said...

Nice pictures..hope you had a wonderful christmas and new year..and the font you used for this post was 'comic sans', which is my favorite also..

Chloe m said...

The brownies look good!

THanks for stopping by my blog!

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello!
Your pictures are beautiful, glad that you had such a great time there and those food look delicious! :)
Léia - Bonjour Luxembourg

radha said...

You took us through the fair. Nice pictures that captured many expressions.

My Unfinished Life said...

i totally got glued to those yum yum chocolate brownies!!!!!!