As we walked out of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, we were greeted by the multitude of small shops selling a variety of wares. There were quite a few shops selling beautiful metallic objects of art. Though a common occurrence in the temple cities of India, it started an animated discussion on object photography between Ela and me.
To prove a point, I wanted to take a shot in one of the shops. Ela, who speaks the local language, got permission from the lady managing the shop. Without much ado, I took a quick shot. At first glance, the picture looked very ordinary. While reviewing it on my LCD, I heard Ela talking with the lady in Tamil. Looking up, I saw a shy little girl, around 7 years old, walking towards me. Ela informed me she was the daughter of the shop owner and wanted to see the picture I had just taken.
I smiled at her and showed her the picture on the LCD screen. Her face lit up with a bright smile. With twinkling eyes, she looked up at me and said, "Very nice!!" It's the sweetest compliment I have ever received for any of my photographs. She then called her kid brother, who looked around 5 years old, and showed the picture to him. Seeing their happy faces looking down at the picture has been one of the proudest moments of my life.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kevin for the kind words!!
DeleteHaving been to Madurai, and having been in the Meenakshi temple simply adds to your story for me. And your picture - it brings back memories of the shops, the incense, and the ambience. And I can relate to the little girl, and that smile, which I'm sure that will be part of your memories for ever.
ReplyDeleteYes, the visit to the temple was an amazing experience. I should be posting some pictures from the temple soon. The smile will definitely remain as one of my happy memories.
DeleteI love the picture and the story with it.
ReplyDeleteYou will love India, I am pretty sure :)
DeleteAaw, Remo, that's a beautiful story and a lovely photo to go with it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Vee!!
Deletebeautiful image and the story behind it too!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteVery nice shot and a great story too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Scott!!
DeleteThat's awesome you shared the photo with the children, it seems it's the small things in life that make a huge difference. Your photo is very nice, the blues really add to it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I am learning to appreciate the little things in life. You too have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteUsually bloggers are so cynical, it's wonderful to hear you you describe something so pure and innocent, and for everybody to be so excited. A bright smile of a child is an amazing sight. Nice photo also.
ReplyDeleteIt's just not bloggers. People in general have become very cynical these days. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI am so happy to hear you were in Madurai. Eagerly waiting to see the Meenakshi temple through your eyes. I love the colourful sculptures on the tower. Chidambaram Natrajar temple and Chennai Kapaleeshwarar temple has similar architecture, but their towers are small compared to Meenakshi temple. I wanna see the Golden lotus pond and colourfully painted patterns on the ceiling of the corridors.
ReplyDelete-Lalitha
We had a great time in the Madurai. I also visited some more places in TN like Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Coutrallam, Sankaran Koil, etc. Should be posting some pictures soon.
ReplyDeletethat is cute :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Viji!!
DeleteWhat a beautiful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!!
DeleteAbsolutely...am sure the compliment must have felt so good :)
ReplyDeleteI too like the picture...especially the plastic cover on the middle one, makes it more alive...
Thank you Siddhartha. Nice to get your feedback on what worked for you in the image.
Deletelovely picture indeed - no wonder the kids liked it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandeep!!
DeleteI've been to the temple...it truly is an amazing place and a haven for still photgraphy...nice capture..
ReplyDeleteI only wish they had allowed cameras inside as well. The sculpture is really beautiful.
DeleteThey allow cameras in the 1000 pillared mandapam at a price of some 100 bucks. Also you can use the camera in the temple premises, it's only inside the main shrine that you can't take it. I just went there a couple of months back...
DeleteOh yes that they allow. I was inside till they actually escorted me and friend out at noon when the temple was supposed to close. We seemed to be delaying the process busy taking pictures. But I loved the sculpture near the main shrine, the place where they have the story of Goddess Meenakshi. It would have made some superb pictures.
DeleteA short & sweet delivery. The click is truly amazing ! Yes there are small moments which captures the heart, some people who see nothing great but some feel the beauty behind those smiles, the lovely carvings, a helping hand & what not. :) Thanks for the cute post ! Keep Writing
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words. A smile is the most beautiful sight in the world, I can vouch for that :)
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