Sajeesh Rajendran

Finding Harmony and Peace…

Framed In:  We are in a constant search—a search for the ultimate truth, the purpose of existence, and the real meaning of life, which often seem elusive. No answer has fully satisfied the human race so far. The entire search appears to have ended in futility. One major reason could be that we tend to look far and beyond, while rarely does anyone attempt to look within and immerse themselves in the colors of life that are in harmony with their own being. Once we realize that real peace and harmony reside within us, we begin to appreciate the true essence of being alive.

We start to relish the simple pleasures of life, from taking a deep breath to witnessing a breathtaking sunrise. This awareness helps us comprehend the real purpose of existence. Calmness is essentially an inner quality, one that should radiate from within to the outside world. Peace and harmony can exist even in a valley full of unrest and bloodshed.

This image of Dal Lake serves as a reminder of the ultimate path to happiness and contentment. One must seek harmony and peace from within, disregarding the external chaos that is often beyond our control.

The Shikaras, waiting for travelers from all across the world, are like peacekeepers. They carry a message of love and peace—a message they hope will resonate globally.

Despite all the turmoil, they have continuously found peace and harmony within themselves and have shared it with the world for ages. May that peace and harmony prevail and triumph.

Framed out:    With every journey, you bring back a wealth of memories and a stronger desire to travel more—to explore further and wider. Kashmir had always been a mystery to me, a place that felt distant and unreachable. It was while reading The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy that my longing to see Kashmir intensified. That’s when I decided to travel to Srinagar and experience life on that distant side of the country.

On the third or fourth day of our trip, I realized I had been neglecting my early morning walks, which, I believe, offer entirely different perspectives on a place. That’s when you truly witness the world—the slanting rays of the golden morning sun and the mysterious mist that surrounds everything, creating something magical.

I found myself at the right place at the right time when the sun just peeked over the mountains, casting reflections of its rays on Dal Lake. I had a brief conversation with Reena, the Mexican tourist you see in the picture. She was waiting for her shikara to take her across the lake. It was surprising, yet heartening, to see foreign tourists in Kashmir.

You only need to be in the right spot at the right time, with the right mindset, to capture an image that feels honest and true. Taken with my OnePlus One, this has quickly become one of my favorite clicks in recent times.

Grey Frames: “Peace comes from within.. Do not seek it without”  Buddha

Beyond frames: A post after almost four years. Off late, I click pictures very rarely. With photography going digital and then mobile, I kind of lost interest in still images and was concentrating more on the moving images. But then, for sometime now, I have been thinking about reviving the habit of writing and telling stories through pictures.  But then busy schedules and laziness was keeping me away from putting in an effort to write. But now there is a strong desire to write and express. Wish this re-start stays with me…

Following… without making a noise…

Framed in:  Shadows reveal much about our true selves. They reflect who we really are, unaltered and authentic, an image that cannot be manipulated. When we stray from our path, our shadow serves as a reminder of our true nature, gently guiding us back. It delves into our inner soul, finding its way to our heart. As Buddha said, it is the constant companion, silently following us wherever we go, until the end of our days. It is, in essence, our better half.

A shadow also symbolizes a promise—a confirmation that a great light surrounds us, dispelling the darkness. It is a quiet, ever-present force, leading a silent revolution within us.

Framed Out:  A gloomy day can be transformed with the snap of a fantastic picture. It was a dull afternoon, one of those uneventful holidays that seem to drift by. As I wandered around my mom’s house, camera in hand, I found nothing that caught my eye—until the idea of photographing my own shadow struck me. Driven by curiosity, I used my Yashica FX3 to capture the image, and as I did, a dried leaf entered the frame, adding a touch of elegance. This simple element strengthened the composition, making it visually captivating. The mysterious quality of the photo gave it an intriguing allure, turning an otherwise ordinary moment into something special.

Grey Frames: Shadow owes its birth to light.   John Gay