Riya's Riyaaz

As I was going through my phone gallery, I noticed I have clicked pictures of admired the sky more, in the four months of lock down, than in the eight years that I have lived here.

Omkareshwar The beautiful house of Ahilya Bai Holkar Maheshwar

Life is like a movie     ~ Rupali Gupte Life at SEA (School of Environment and Architecture) has been extraordinary. February 7th, '20 called for a celebration, as SEA would complete it's first five years, the first batch would graduate. The preparations for the five year event was undertone, we only realized the enormity of the event later. Jury, rather scholars were invited from around the world for the event, followed by a SEA city event on the next day. The event took place in Nehru Science Centre, designed by Achyut Kanvinde, adding metaphorical significance. A week before the event I received a phone call from Shreyank, they would like me to present student work, along with five other students. I was thrilled and nervous at the same time. Us students, with Shreyank and Rohit spent hours preparing for the day. While the last day of school(in April), did not feel as the end, the anticipation of the event was a reminder that we were closer to ...

Streets of Goa Ini Chatterjee's house in the making Nisha's Play School Kala Academy Our everyday ferry ride  

For many reasons this post has been long delayed. I thought I could easily write about Rajasthan well as I wrote about Tamil Nadu. Lets find out... Diwali has always been the time for family vacations. Earlier it used to be spending time at Grandma's, bursting crackers and other shenanigans related to Diwali. However in past many years, the break has meant going to selected destinations in India for a tour. The first day in Ranthambore was relaxed. On someone's suggestion we decided to make an hour's ride to Chambal River. I fall short of words when I say this, we did not expect to be the only four people on the shore, including two other people with a boat. The place was untouched by any tourist litter. The water was sparkling clean. The silence in the air took on us. We sat there for a long time, dad telling stories of dacoits (bandits) of the chambal and us trying to wonder how time has changed. Later in the evening we took the forest safari...