Framed in: Often, we find ourselves feeling insignificant when confronted with the vastness of
history, overwhelmed by the sense of our present being dwarfed by the past. The few remaining pages of history are filled with such profound stories that they can both absorb and astonish us. Standing in the midst of these historical remnants, one cannot help but feel the immense scale of the past compared to our own fleeting existence.In contrast to previous eras, our present seems to leave little of lasting significance for the future. The innovations of today, like iPhones and Google doodles, might not hold a prominent place in history books for more than a few decades. Much of what we create now—our moments and relationships—are increasingly virtual and ephemeral. These virtual realities, while prevalent, lack the tangible substance of historical artifacts and often fail to leave a lasting impact.
We are at risk of erasing the rich history handed down to us while failing to contribute anything of lasting value for future generations. This potential for a future without meaningful history is indeed unsettling. It underscores the importance of preserving the history we inherit and striving to contribute something significant ourselves.
By doing so, we can ensure that our actions and creations hold relevance, adding to the historical narrative that future generations will one day reflect upon. It’s a call to action to create and preserve with intention, to build a world that not only honors the past but also offers something valuable for the future to remember and learn from.
Framed out: This is likely the first digital image featured on this blog! It was taken at Thirumalanaykar Palace in Madurai during a road trip for the Travel Channel show “Road to Paradise,” which I’m working on for ‘Travel Trendz’. When Anuj, the anchor, was standing in the middle of the palace courtyard, I knew exactly what needed to be captured.I used a Canon 5D Mark III with a 16-35 lens, aiming for a round trolley shot, which was perhaps inspired by the film “Iruvar.” Although I hadn’t consciously planned for this shot to resemble the famous Santhosh Sivan frame, upon review, I saw the similarity. The grandeur of the palace, juxtaposed with Anuj’s presence, created a frame that deeply resonated with me.
The sheer scale of the structure made me feel minuscule, almost merging with the historical weight of the place. Capturing such a beautiful frame brought me immense joy, and I knew from the moment I took it that this would be a standout addition to my greyframes collection.
Grey Frames: “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” Robert Kennedy
