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

Evening in Hof

Sunday, August 8, 2010

We had come by the farm at Hof in southeast Iceland late in the evening to see the historic turf church. As we were driving out, a little girl ran across and a captivating scene unfolded. She was oblivious to my presence while she communed with the horse. The Icelandic horse, by the way, is a very special animal, deserving of an independent post.

A tender moment at Hof
5D Mark II, 24-105L

At the Hof farm
5D Mark II, 24-105L

The notes at Hofskirkja read:

The church was built in 1884, and was the last turf church built in the old style. It is one of the six churches still standing, which are preserved as historical monuments. The church is maintained by the National Museum but also serves as a parish church. The church was built by the carpenter Pál Pálsson. The lock and the hinges of the church were made by Þorsteinn Gisurarson, called “tool,” who was a well-known blacksmith. The water tub he used to cool hot iron can be seen south of the churchyard.

Hofskirkja
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II

Frontview of Hofskirkja
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II

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Category: Architecture, Candid, Composition, Iceland, Landscape Tag: 24-105L, Canon 5D Mark II, Church, Farm, Hof, Hofskirkja, Icelandic horse, TS-E 24L II

by Rajan P. Parrikar

3 comments

Aldeyjarfoss

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Located in the northern Highlands of Iceland, the waterfall Aldeyjarfoss is fed by the glacial river Skjálfandafljót that originates at Vatnajökull, the largest icecap in Iceland (and in Europe).

The judge in a waterfall beauty contest in Iceland has a tough task. There are so many of these cascading beauties competing for attention that one has to guard against foss-fatigue (foss = waterfall, in Icelandic). With its striking flanks of crystallized basalt columns and a bowl-like receptacle, Aldeyjarfoss is a masterpiece of geological art, a sight to treasure.

Also seen below is Hrafnabjargarfoss (hrafn = raven, bjarg = rock), another small waterfall nearby.

Aldeyjarfoss
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II + Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter

Aldeyjarfoss - another view
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II + Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter

Closer look at the basalt columns at Aldeyjarfoss
5D Mark II, 24-105L

Hrafnabjargarfoss
5D Mark II, TS-E 24L II + Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter

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Category: Composition, Iceland, Landscape Tag: 24-105L, Aldeyjarfoss, Basalt, Canon 5D Mark II, Highlands, Hrafnabjargarfoss, Skjálfandafljót, TS-E 24L II, Vatnajokull, Waterfall

by Rajan P. Parrikar

2 comments

Canacona

Friday, July 30, 2010

Until around 2000, few outside Goa had heard of Canacona. This southernmost region of the state had it all: lush fields, forests, mountains, rivers, and secluded beaches. For long it had remained outside the ambit of the mass tourism circuit due to its relative remoteness and lack of facilities. But it all changed in 2004 when the movie The Bourne Supremacy came along, with its opening sequence of Matt Damon gamboling on Palolem beach. The last remaining citadel of Goa’s pristine wilderness had crumbled. Today it has turned into a playground for the coarse proclivities of the tourist hordes.

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a lark through Canacona. It was a glorious monsoon morning when I got to the tiny hamlet of Loliem. The noted Hindustani vocalist Anjanibai Lolienkar of Agra gharana was born here. Later, I stopped by the village of Painguinim (Poinguinim), home to the old temple of Parashurama, avatar of Lord Vishnu, whom legend associates with the origin of Goa. I will have more material on these villages and their socio-religious traditions in future postings.