Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar

Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Truth, Divinity, Beauty)

I was born in the tiny state of Goa on the west coast of India. My photographic interests encompass landscapes, history, culture, religion, portraits, street life, and photojournalism. I have shot extensively in my homeland of Goa, training my lens on the land, its history, and its sui generis socioreligious ethos. My documentation of the despoliation of Goa's environment and heritage has been featured in print publications and on national television in India.

I am a musician as well, with a lifelong association with the musical traditions of India. I live in Mountain View, California, and like to spend extended time in Goa.

Photo credit: Sanjeev Trivedi

Halldór Laxness

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Halldór Laxness (1902-1998) was among the great literary figures of the 20th C and Iceland’s only Nobel Laureate to date. His home, Gljúfrasteinn, located in Mosfellsbær just outside Reykjavík, is now a national museum. A multimedia presentation on Laxness’s life and an excellent self-guided audio tour of the house are available.

Laxness responded to beauty in all forms, and Western classical music was an especially abiding obsession. His was a romantic life that even included an unsuccessful stint in Hollywood. An assessment of his oeuvre is found here.

Gljúfrasteinn is surrounded by great natural beauty. The visitor can today enjoy the many walking trails that so delighted and inspired Laxness.

Home of Halldór Laxness in Mosfellsbær
5D Mark II, 24-105L

Mosfellsdalur: view outside Halldór Laxness' home
5D Mark II, 24-105L

Halldor Laxness' 1969 Jaguar
5D Mark II, 14L II

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Category: Composition, Culture, History, Iceland, Landscape Tag: 14L II, 24-105L, Canon 5D Mark II, Halldór Laxness, Literature, Mosfellsbær, Mosfellsdalur, Nobel Prize, Reykjavik

by Rajan P. Parrikar

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Fjallabak Nature Reserve

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Scenes from the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the interior Highlands of Iceland.

Reflections: North Fjallabak route
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II

Reflections, in colour
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II

Fingers: North Fjallabak route
5D Mark II, 24-105L

North Fjallabak route
5D Mark II, 24-105L

Photographing in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve
Photo by: Guðmundur Eyólfsson

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Category: Composition, Iceland, Landscape Tag: 24-105L, Canon 5D Mark II, Fjallabak, Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Highlands, Landmannalaugar, TS-E 24L II

by Rajan P. Parrikar

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Folds in the Road

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Route 87 is the interior gravel road linking the settlements of Husavík and Mývatn in northeast Iceland. In the right conditions it is a spectacular drive.

The corrugated route and in the distance, the snow-laced Náttfaravíkur mountains across Skjálfandi Bay.