Framed in: The picture exudes a serene tranquility. It reminds me that everyone is on a journey toward a final destination—a mysterious yet inevitable one. Life is short, and it’s meant to be enjoyed, but we often lose sight of this simple truth. In our rush to live, we forget to truly live. We find ourselves just rotating the hands of clocks, watching time slip away.
Seeing people crammed in trains and buses, rushing to work early in the morning and returning home late at night, fills me with a sense of sadness. When will we actually take the time to live? I find myself longing to escape to serene landscapes where time slows down, where the morning sun’s rays are cherished, and the magenta hues of twilight bring contentment. A place where we can admire the stars and the moon without hurry.
I sometimes entertain the idea of settling in a quiet village in Kerala, opening a small tea shop, and immersing myself in cinema—reading about it, watching at least two films a day, and even screening them for the villagers. How peaceful that would be! Every time I see this picture, I feel an unparalleled sense of peace and relaxation.
Life should be lived like this—unhurried, free from the constraints of time and the burdens that weigh us down. Not just in the final moments of life, but every day. We need to learn how to live life to its fullest, with deep satisfaction. The pace should be slow—a word that this fast-paced world seems to have forgotten, but one that holds the key to truly enjoying life.
Framed out: Though the picture appears serene and peaceful, the story behind it was anything but! I took this shot at Calangute Beach in Goa using my Nikon FM10 camera, loaded with Fuji 200 film and a Sigma 75-200 lens. The beach was filled with foreign tourists, and I was wandering around, capturing photos with my long lens. However, the man in the picture became suspicious, likely due to the beachgoers I was photographing. I swear my intentions were pure, but he clearly misunderstood!
He came charging toward me, furious, and I could barely make out the words, though I distinctly heard the letter “F” being repeated. He demanded that I hand over the film roll immediately. It was quite an experience! For a moment, I thought I was about to get thrashed by this angry, heavyset British guy.
Fortunately, some other foreigners who had gathered around urged him to calm down and suggested I leave the area at once. Grateful for their intervention, I made a quick escape. It was an intense moment, but looking back, it’s one of those unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping experiences!
Grey Frames: “To be able to look back upon ones life in satisfaction, is to live twice” Kahlil Gibran
