My photo-essay in The Hindu, this Sunday about the India Coffee House, which will vanish from MG Road, Bangalore.

Around the Charminar area in Hyderabad are several itr or perfume vendors.  I don't know how authentic the itr is but each of them claim that they are pure and made at homes around the area.  However right at the gate of the Mecca Masjid, the chacha (uncle) who sells itr and kohl doesn't speak much.


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The Bishrambaug Wada was a place of rest for the Peshwas who ruled Maharashtra.  The heritage building is a confluence of Indian artistry and British cottage style architecture.  I found that people still used this place to rest from the scorching sun while they proceeded to shop at Laxmi Road.


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Poona has a profound old heritage feel to it or at least that is what I feel.  I mean it preserves much of its old charm whilst adding steel and glass infrastructure to its landscape.  Well people had been builing forts here since ages.  Shaniwar Wada among other old heritage places was one of my favourite afternoon rest places, while walking ( Read more... )