Uploads from Sankar Salvady, tagged salvady, with geodata

Boston Marathon 2009

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:57:02 -0700

Sankar Salvady Photography

(Explored: #1)

Event: Boston Marathon, April 20,2009

The 113th edition of world's oldest and most prestigious marathon was held on 20-Apr-09. This is one of Boston's most popular annual event as well.

What makes marathons even more exciting for the runners is the encouragement from thousands of people of all ages gathered all along the way. Here are three little children extending their encouragement to a runner, and he obliges.

More information:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon
www.bostonmarathon.org

Tiruchendur: Treasure Hunt

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:40:15 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Shot at the shores of Bay of Bengal, Tiruchendur, Tamilnadu, India

These folks are not fishermen. These men dive in quest of rare shells and other sea treasures that are either washed ashore or brought to shallow waters near the shore by waves. They make their living by selling those to either tourists directly (rarely) or local vendors (mostly). These vendors in turn sell them in their original form or make decorative stuffs out of it and sell.

As Joe pointed out below, the final price for which it is sold to a tourist in the market is far more than what these sea-divers get for all their hard work. Middlemen make the most in the transaction. Thanks Joe.

Bridging the Towns

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:52:14 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Sankar Salvady Photography

Posted this picture more to introduce my native (Ambasamudram aka Ambai, Tirunelveli District , Tamilnadu) than a photography pov. The bridge seen in the picture is built above River Tamiraparani that divides ( or connects depending on how you look at it...) the small towns of Ambasamudram (the town seen in the background in this picture) and Kallidaikurichi . The mountain ranges seen behind is the sub-cluster of Western ghats that pass through the region more famously called Pothigai Malai or Agasthyamalai

About the bullock cart in the picture, Yes, it is still prevalently used by the farming community in our region. Most bullock carts are pretty much old-fashioned with wooden wheels and a metal cast around. The ones like this used for carrying goods are open topped and driven by two bulls whereas the bullock-carts used for transporting passengers have a closed top and driven by a single bull. Bullock-carts off late have their wooden tyres replaced by (used) pneumatic tyres.

In spite of being projected as a small village in movies, in reality it isn't. Ambasamudram is one of the 11 Taluk headquarters (Taluk is an administrative division within a district headed by a Tashildar) of Tirunelveli District. Though agriculture is the backbone of this taluk thanks to a perennial river, other primary occupations include Handlooms, Wooden Handicrafts (in Ambasamudram), Appalam making (in Kallidai). Besides there is a Rice Research Institute in Ambasamudram and a textile plant of Coats India Limited in Vickramasingapuram that fed more than 5000 families (including ours :-) ) in its best times. There are quite good options available for schooling in Ambasamudram Taluk (Schools teaching Anglo-Indian, Matriculation and State Board syllabi) as well apart from good coaching available for Bharathanatyam, Carnatic Music (Vocal and instrumental) , Shaiva Siddantham and Hindi Language training (mainly due to the efforts of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha). Options after schooling is limited though.

Majority of the people practice Hinduism that would be followed by Christianity and then Islam (Official statistics might put Islam ahead of Christianity though because recently converted Christians usually do not declare themselves as Christians). Pentecostal Mission ( a conservative protestant arm of Christianity) is the most affluent and pro-active religious group in the region especially in the villages and tribal areas. People here have always lived in harmony and the region has never witnessed any religious clashes ever. Occasional caste related skirmishes have occurred in the past though.

Needless to say, Thamizh is the language spoken

Tourism:
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Most of the famous tourist spots in the region are located in Pothigai malai or Agasthiyamalai that includes the the origin of the perennial Tamiraparani river, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary , Manjolai Tea estate , a handful of water falls (Agasthiar falls, Banatheertham falls (made popular by the movie Roja) and Manimuthar falls being the most famous among them - Unlike Courtallam these falls are perennial as well), quite a few dams ( with a couple of them used for hydro-electric power generation as well) located in picturesque locations. Apart from nature spots there are a few famous temples ( most historical of them being in Tiruvudaimarudoor, Sivasailam, Brahmadesam, Papanasam, Chinna Sankarankoil) including some that were visited and sung by Nayanmars ( பாடல் பெற்ற ஸ்தலங்கள் - I am yet to verify this though). Thanks to aforementioned reasons and of course its new found visibility due to Kollywood (tamil) movies, tourism is picking up pretty fast.

Threat to Ecosystem:
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Just as anywhere else in India, the government hasnt woken up to the tourism potential of this region yet. So the infrastructure to support the burgeoning Tourist population is far from satisfactory. This has led to a rapid increase in land pollution caused by non-biodegradable litters (due to inadequate facilities for safe disposal of waste) , water pollution (due to excessive disposal of wastes in water by tourists ) and air pollution (due to increased vehicle population). Proactive measure needs to be taken to prevent the situation spiraling out of control. But telling this while sitting here in US I will end up looking like a barking dog :-(

More info:
1) An Orkut Community . In case you plan to visit , and if you need some info people in the 500+ strong community might be able to help you.
2) Saivite Temples in Tirunelveli District

Note: I referred to (what i thought was) reliable sources while writing this. However if you find any discrepancy please do notify me (possibly with the sources) . I will be more than glad to correct it. My intention really is to guide than misguide :-)

River Tamirabarani as seen in Ambasamudram

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:03:40 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Sankar Salvady Photography

Explore Rank: 111 on 2008-05-16 as of 20-Aug-08

Location: Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu, India

Your Letter shall go a 'long way' in making my life meaningful !

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:37:08 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

(Best when viewed large :
Don't let the miles between us
Keep our love apart
Just listen close and you will hear
The beating of my heart

No distance, will ever keep
My heart from loving you
There are no more tears for it to weep
For a love that runs so true

I'll be there with you one day soon
To love you everyday
- goldencards

Waiting for the Last Train

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:11:56 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Taken at New York Penn Station (Madison Square Garden) around Midnight !

Shiva Temple, Ambasamudram

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:50:51 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

More pics of Ambasamudram in Facebook

Sankar Salvady Photography

This Temple is locally referred to as Periya Koil ( Bigger Temple, relative to another smaller Shiva temple in Ambasamudram) OR Aathu Koil ( River Side Temple because the temple is located in the banks of River Tamiraparani) .

As seen from the picture this temple is located in a picturesque and serene location away from the town. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva (Eritthatkondaar) and Parvathy.

From the town of Ambasamudram, this temple can be approached by a single lane road ( seen HERE ). The road is locally referred as Aathu Salai translated to River Road because the same road is used to access River Tamirabarani as well. This road is very well known to Kollywood movie goers and can be seen in many Tamil movies like Mudhalvan, Gentleman, Sundarapurushan, Dum dum dum, Pudhu nellu pudhu naathu and many more. Renowned Cinematographer K.V.Anand once called this spot his 'Favourite' Shooting spot. He visited here during his 'Mudhalvan' assignment and shot a few scenes here. The story does not end here though. The Road appealed to many because the road are covered by a canopy of tall trees on both sides with Paddy fields on either side

Recently the paddy fields that gave this road its fame and beauty, are being encroached and lots of houses are coming up in the location without any sensitivity to the extremely unique beauty of this place. Its gradually losing its charm. The day is not far , when there will be no trace of those green fields. Please follow this LINK to see what I am talking about.

(Tree) Alone

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:55:59 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Location: Old Courtallam Road, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli Dist, Tamilnadu, India (Western Ghats in the background )

About Tenkasi:
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Remember the opening shots of Maniratnam's 'Roja ( An Indian movie)' ? It was shot in a village near Tenkasi ( and partially shot near my native). This town is gifted with beautiful weather round the year, umpteen waterfalls (courtallam), lush green stretch of western ghats and a historic Shiva Temple !

Tenkasi - Translates to Varanasi (Kasi) of the South (Ten)

About this picture:
------------------------
Smoke in the background comes from fire ( cannot be seen in the picture) lit in the midst of the forest. Fire is (apparently) lit by temporary/permanent forest dwellers to keep away wild animals after sunset.

Dwarfed !

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:16:04 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Lord Venkateshwara Hindu Temple, Bridgewater, NJ, USA.

This pic is infact pretty close to Another Picture that I took of the same location, a few months ago

House in Blue

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:01:47 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Catskill Town, Upstate Newyork, USA

Moment to Savor !

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:52:58 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Isnt it a Pleasure ?

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:52:29 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Pristine India

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:33:09 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Location: Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli Dist, TN, India

My native as seen from the banks of River Tamirabarani.

An early morning dip

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:26:43 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Location: River Tamirabarani, Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli Dist, TN, India

Lol :)

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:37:46 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Explore Rank: 383 on 20-May-2008 as of 27-Aug-2008

This is one of my good photographer friend (he ll be reading this too ) determining a good position & subject for his picture ( Believe me.. he is holding a camera) and ended up becoming the subject himself ;)

In this , he was about to sit down for framing i believe :)

Leaping to Innocence

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:56:03 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

“When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college - that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared at me, incredulous, and said, 'You mean they forget?' - Howard Ikemoto

As an adult how many times a day do we find beauty and bliss in simple acts like this ? As children we always did, but lost it somewhere on our way !

Sharing the Water(s)

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:33:31 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Location: River Tamiraparani, Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli Dist, TN, India

My humble attempt to portray the simplicity of life in Indian Villages. It is quite self-explanatory. If not, kindly go over the "NOTES" .

This is the beauty of village life. Having raised in such ambience such people are better prepared for the adversities that the society throws in front of you :)

God resides in Peace here !

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:11:10 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Sankar Salvady Photography

Explore: #166
A small temple amidst paddy fields in the backdrop of Western Ghats. God lives here for sure !

Location: Route from Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar , Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, TN, India

Spring is here !

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:52:43 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo:

Its always fulfilling to see trees blossoming after winter. Welcome Spring 2008 !

Curious Eyes !

nobody@flickr.com (Sankar Salvady) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:53:30 -0700

Sankar Salvady posted a photo: