WHAT NONSENSE !... NONSENSE RHYMES?

Nonsense rhymes? "What nonsense", you'd say ! Can rhymes be nonsense? Or they carry some sense anyway - some story or some message, a touch of satire, humor or wit may be ! The 'pundits' may clarify. But, haven't we heard the names of Lewis Carol or Edward Lear, the 'great' creators of  tell-tale yet funny rhymes that have become history by now?

And then, what about Sukumar Ray, the legendary Bengali poet and father of the great film maker, Satyajit Ray? Sukumar's witty and satirical poems and awesome cartoons charm & mesmerize both  young and old  even today - more than 125 years after he was born ! His poems are mostly 'nonsense' and apparently carry no 'real' meaning. But, after scrutiny and  review, serious meaning coated with funny (and sometimes unnatural) elements emanates from each of them. And there lies the beauty of Sukumar's creations !

I have always considered Sukumar Ray as my 'guru' and mentor and his poems have ever inspired me to produce a few rhymes (and cartoons) - naughty, funny, silly or sheer nonsense ! I wish to humbly pay my tribute to my 'guru' Sukumar Ray through some of my nonsense rhymes and cartoons in today's posting.

A SPECTACLE CALLED INDIA !

India is beautiful. And awesome too! Its lush green forests, bubbling streams, emerald meadows, enchanting valleys and eternal snows of the majestic Himalayas tell one side of the story. While on the other side, there are great monuments and temples, its royal palaces, its thoroughfares, its villages, its cultures and traditions, its myriad cuisines, its festivals. its customs & rituals, its languages and above all, its people - together, they present a kaleidoscopic view of a great spectacle - a wonder known as India. This time, let's look at India... incredible India!

THUS SAID THE GHOSTS !

... And the ghosts said, "Let there be darkness!"... and there was darkness all around !

It was so dark that even the infrared cameras could not record anything (keep aside the ghosts). They are the ruler of darkness and so far my knowledge goes, they are super dictators as well. They do whatever they like and they perform whatever they decide. After all, their sovereign "constitution" have given them supernatural powers which they exhibit everywhere... well, almost everywhere !

They'll break your neck if you've annoyed them... they will snatch your food from almost nowhere... or they will lift you by your neck, will fly a distance with your neck caught, finally to release your body from a height, so that you've a "big fall' and eventually ?????

Well, I haven't seen any of them so far. I have no knowledge about your experience as well. This posting will show a few of my nonsense poems/verse/rhymes supported by cartoons/illustrations.... I want to let you know privately that my "computer mouse" did the drawings for me! Happy viewing...

A TREASURE TROVE CALLED ODISHA !

Odisha (India) is blessed. The bewitching blend of inviolate heritage, the vast beaches by the Bay of Bengal and the serene & picturesque natural beauty have made Odisha special and unique ! A treasure trove of exquisite handicrafts, Odisha has a rich diversity of traditional art & craft forms like Pattachitra of Raghurajpur, Saura painting, Papier mache work, Silver filigree work of Cuttack, Dokra figurines, Sambalpuri, Bomkai & other varieties of sarees, Talpatra etching art, Applique work of Pipili, Papier mache work, Coir work, Sea shell crafts and Stone carving, among others. In fact, Odisha offers a striking selection of utilitarian and decorative art and craft that one can be proud of.

Today, let's explore the colorful treasure trove called Odisha !

LET'S TALK CANDID !

Well, what is a candid shot in photography? In normal sense, when we are candid with someone, we speak honestly. But, in photography, it is other way round ! As per Collins Advanced English Dictionary, "a candid photograph of someone is one that was taken when the person did not know they were being photographed.". Well, hardly it can be termed as anything but honesty. Am I right?

The Paparazzis too do the same act, but normally the rich & famous persons are their targets. The media gets 'interesting shots' through them and we see them in newspapers and televisions, but don't the persons feel awkward to see their privacy invaded by some stupid photographers?

The legendary photographer Henri Cartier Bresson coined the famous phrase in photography : "the decisive moment", which means clicking the shutter at the 'right moment' in order to get a "story telling shot" or a "tell-tale shot" ! And there lies the beauty of candid photography, even at the cost of being blamed as 'dishonest'.