Author: admin_saj

Framed in: The Royal Branch—a mere branch, but because it happens to be in the garden of a grand palace, it suddenly becomes “royal.” Such absurdity! Yet, this mirrors a deeper truth that has echoed throughout history: privilege passed down not by merit but by birth. From ancient times to today, we see the same pattern. A king’s son becomes the next king, regardless of his ability, simply because of his lineage. The same logic persists in the modern world—a politician’s child becomes a politician, an actor’s child becomes an actor. What was meant to be a democracy often becomes a mockery of fairness.

For those born into a struggling middle-class family, the journey toward success can feel like climbing a mountain. Achieving dreams requires relentless effort, and even then, there’s no guarantee. On the other hand, those born into wealth and influence are handed choices on a platter. They don’t need to chase dreams; dreams line up before them, waiting to be picked.

The question remains: which ideology or system can truly bridge this gap? Until we find a way to dismantle this deep-rooted inequality, true equality will remain an unattainable dream.

Framed Out:  This picture holds a special place in my heart. It’s probably the first time I captured something with an artistic flair! I took this shot during a family trip across Karnataka with all my relatives when I was in the ninth grade. It was at the Mysore Palace, and I used my dad’s Yashica FX3 with an FX7 lens (back then, it was still his camera!). The unconventional angle gives the frame a unique balance, with the branch creeping in from the right edge bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

I vividly remember my father scolding me for tilting the camera, insisting that I stick to the traditional straight-on shot. But even now, I stand by that decision—the Dutch angle and the way that branch subtly enters the frame add a touch of magic and intrigue. Looking back, it’s this very frame that sparked my love for exploring different perspectives in photography.

Grey Frames: “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Aristotle

Beyond Frames: For my dad.. Who else… who guided me with his eyes to this wonderful world of photography! Thank you Acha!

Framed in:  We find ourselves trapped in a maze—one controlled by time. The more we try to escape, the more entangled we become in its web. We savor the good times, curse the bad, and in this fast-paced world driven by the internet and endless communication, we race against time only to realize that victory is impossible. Imagine a life without the constraints of time! Life’s pace would slow, and a deep calm would settle in.

I dream of such a life, free from the tyranny of clocks and schedules. I long to break every clock and watch around me, to break away from the relentless march of time. Let’s return to an era when there were no clocks or watches, when life moved at the tranquil pace of a snail—calm, meditative, and soulful.

Why not try, just for a day, to step away from time’s grasp? Let’s rediscover the essence of life, bringing back the soul that time has swept away.

Framed out:  Oh, how could I forget that day! This picture was taken at Kallar, near Mettupalayam, during our first outing as a degree batch. It was a perfect start—I can still remember it vividly. We had a drawing workshop with Arjun sir, a talented artist. On the last day, we ventured out to capture the scenic beauty. While others drew, I painted with my camera. It was my first real expedition as a photographer, and the effort it took to expose this frame was immense.

I remember lying on a fallen tree, trying to capture its texture perfectly. To complete the shot, I borrowed a watch from Vivin—who we fondly call “Maapi”—and immortalized the moment using a 1960 model Zenith camera. A huge thanks to Anilettan, my mentor, for lending me his camera and making this experience possible!

Grey Frames: “Who forces time is pushed back by time; who yields to time finds time on his side.

~The Talmud