Between monsoon showers, a photo from Tamil Nadu, South

Photographer's Note

After several days in Mahaballipuram in southern India in 1987 I proceeded to Vellore, a fairly small town safely off the tourist tracks. Between heavy showers caused by the northeast monsoon I did some sightseeing and took a few photos.

This looks like the cattle section of the market area. In the WS is a view from another muddy market street. Both photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

I had actually planned to go to Kanchipuram, another famous town packed with fantastic temples. But when my bus arrived there it was raining so heavily that I temporarily lost my interest in sightseeing. I boarded the next bus to Vellore, hoping that by the time I got there the rain would have stopped.

My tactic worked well enough for me to find my way to 'India Café & Boarding & Lodging' without being drenched. It was described by my guide book as the "best budget hotel" in town. I found it dreadful, but it would only be for two nights, and I even managed to convince them to provide me with sheets, so it was okay.

Vellore was mainly famous for a large 16th century fort with an attached museum, and a temple on the grounds. I spent some time there, but I don't seem to have taken any photos. Either the light was too bad under the dark monsoon sky, or I didn't find anything spectacular enough.

However, in the streets of Vellore I also took a few photos of people, my favourite hobby. I will show them the next time.

There are only 20 photos on TE marked Vellore, and only 3 of them are actually taken in the city (one is mine), which indicates that not many tourists go there. (Two further photos are from a place called 'v ellore'.)

By the way, 14 years later I saw Kanchipuram at a time when the weather was much better. I was glad I finally got there.

pajaran, Fis2, ikeharel, NickVu, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, jhm, jean113, PaulVDV, ricardomattos, jemaflor, ktanska, worldcitizen, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (103677) 2021-02-18 0:16

Pozdrav.
Lepe fotografije i secanje, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i dobrim tekstom.
Dobar rad skeniranjem slajdova, dobro uhvaceni trenuci.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Fis2 (156736) 2021-02-18 0:32

Witaj Gert!
Next curious pictures from daily life.
The views are impression.
Excellent frames, colors and sharpness.
I like it.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

ikeharel (106381) 2021-02-18 0:46

Good morning Gert,
A superb document from this place, the muddy road, people and cattle, wagons in juxtaposition - all those made the scene vibrant and very attractive.
Hope by now, the road was paved...
Have a nice new day,
Ike

Silvio1953 (206997) 2021-02-18 0:58

Ciao Gert, nice scene with a lot of cows, fine details, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (76708) 2021-02-18 2:17

Hello Gert,

I found this a really interesting photograph to scrutinise and enjoy! The wagons reminded me of the Wild West in their shape, with the animals standing tranquilly watching life go by! They don't look very well fed, to be on sale.

Your photograph is very well composed, guiding us inwards, with so many details to absorb. It is a fine scan, the colours quite natural.

The two gents walking towards you, look to be on a mission, other than avoiding the puddles!
The conditions here, and on your w/s, show the the muddy conditions of the ground. It is obviously just accepted as the norm, maybe that is why everyone is barefoot.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

pierrefonds (104458) 2021-02-18 4:46

Hi Gert,

You have captured well a daily life scene. The point of view is showing the details of the cows and of the carriages. The light is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (203975) 2021-02-18 5:09

Hello Gert,

This is again a daily life image with the market after a big shower.
I am again surpriced that your picture is so clear and sharp.
This are always nice pictures the time has no important
Sharp and clear photographed.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

jean113 (22561) 2021-02-18 8:49

Hello Gert, a fascinating pair of pictures; so much mud!
I assume that all the covered wagons are for transporting the cattle?
Your notes are so descriptive, I always enjoy reading them.
Excellent quality scanning.
Kind regards, Jean.

lousat (130599) 2021-02-18 8:57

Hi Gert,change of plans due to the monsoon, but certainly an interesting visit in a world untouched by tourism. Bad situation in the semi-flooded streets, and I also imagine the scents coming from the livestock market. Two beautiful photos, very rare from this Indian city. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (55531) 2021-02-18 11:52

Hello Gert,
Too bad you didn't make it to that other place, 'v ellore'.
They have a beautiful temple there and the squirrels aren't shy at all :)
I find it unimaginable that people go to the trouble of posting a photo and write a text and not check for mistakes or make the effort to correct them. A fault location is improved very quickly.
Vellore doesn't immediately look like a very touristy spot.
I find the covered wagons as intriguing as the lean cattle.
Interesting scenes from the unenviable daily life of this lesser known (unknown to me) place in Tamil Nadu.
Best regards, Paul

Tue (83018) 2021-02-18 12:09

Hej Gert,
Det er ikke svært at se at det havde regnet rigtig meget inden du besøgte byen. Et godt billede med de mange hvide køer i forgrunden og mændene der går og står blandt dem. Lyset var fint skønt skyerne i himlen.
Lars

jmdias (103906) 2021-02-18 12:12

gert

nelore cattle is very hungry if you think about these bones in evidence. curiously the rainy season should give them more food. a nice double view of the moment with many mud and dirty water showing the difficult life in the area.
these carts looks like the far-west movies..
take care

jorge

ricardomattos (15538) 2021-02-18 17:02

Hi Gert

Este gado está muito magro. Parece que falta capim ou elas trabalham tanto que emagreceram. As carroças lembram aquelas de filmes do velho oeste americano. O lugar parece bastante movimentado. Belo trabalho !

Parabéns

Ricardo

foxy (2145) 2021-02-18 17:10

Hello Gert,
One fine photo of the hardworking and sturdy cattle in the market street. To me, they are well look after by the herder ( orange lungi ). Skinny but strong, as strong as an ox :-)
What a coincidence, this year we ( Chinese ) are celebrating the CNY , the Year of the Ox. So, this photo is extra meaningful to me. I just love those horns.

In the WS, I call it , the Banana's Muddy Street and the Banana's Trishaw ( in four wheels ). You must have gone 'banana' , that's why you didn't find anything spectacular :-) but you do have two interesting photos even it was raining cats and dogs.
I see a woman holding a plastic bag, standing looking at you? or hesitating to walk on the muddy road .....as a gentleman, did you take off your shirt or pant to cover the muddy road for her to walk .....:-)

Thanks for sharing these wonderful scanned photos and your favourite hobbies - scanning is one of them :-)
Loong

ifege (33587) 2021-02-18 18:36

Hi Gert
Back to your seemingly endless Indian archives. Having lived through monsoons in Papua New Guinea I can appreciate these good muddy market photos. The especially interesting part is the row of large covered carts in the background. Lots of good people aspects too.
cheers
Ian

emka (153354) 2021-02-18 23:36

Hello Gert, I haven't been to Vellore. There are many elements here that I remember from my South India trip. The horns of the cows are painted, here red and blue. They told us that it was because of some elections but I doubt it was the truth. The cows are rather skinny. The guys in the pieces of cloth. But I have never seen these carts (?). When I was in Jaipur, everywhere was the mud like this. We walked around the market with Pixelterror and didn't care.
Have a nice day

MAlgo

jemaflor (136272) 2021-02-18 23:38

Hi Gert,
Interesting scene and composition with people, cows and water reflections, perfect sharpness, tfs.

GyurMaster (21755) 2021-02-19 0:14

Dear Gert,

Its another fine 'report photo' from India, with the distinctive Kodachrome colours and with some Gertian nothing special feeling. I like the WS as well with the vivid green bananas.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

ChrisJ (161132) 2021-02-19 4:27

Hello Gert,

I like the opposing diagonals of the tilted oxcarts and the line of skinny white cows. Nice inclusion of the puddle and reflection. Superb sharpness and pleasant pastel colours. Tfs!

ktanska (40499) 2021-02-19 11:13

Hej Gert,
A shot full of local atmosphere. It certainly is from India! Nice moment between showers. That puddle clearly shows it has been raining hard.
Kari

worldcitizen (14458) 2021-02-23 12:47

Hello Gert,
If the cows were a bit smaller, or the wagons were a bit larger, this scene would almost look like the wagons were all tipped over and the cows came sliding out! Those cows are so skinny. The men are walking with bare feet in the mud, and it looks chaotic. It's quite a scene! The man looking right at you seems a bit suspicious, too. :-) Take care!

COSTANTINO (104999) 2021-02-23 22:49

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
I like looking at your photos!!!!
this one is one of your best...
one shot is one thousand
words...unique photo
Greetings for the presentation
and the quality of the photo...
regards
Costantino