THE LOCATION
According to legend, Pushkar, which is located in the desert of Rajasthan, came into being when Lord Brahma, the Creator, dropped a lotus flower from the heavens in order to kill a demon. Magically, where the petals landed, three lakes appeared and Lord Brahma is said to have organised a gathering of 900,000 celestial beings on the banks of the lake. Pushkar is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town and is wrapped around a holy lake. The waters of Pushkar are considered to be sacred. It has around 52 bathing ghats that are found around the perimeter of the lake. Hindus use these ghats as a form of religious ritual bathing or cleansing. One side of Pushkar lake is surrounded by dry Arawali hills and on the other side is borders the sand and bare land. It is the home of the only Brahama temple in the world.
Today Pushkar Lake is considered one of India’s most sacred sites and is surrounded by hundreds of temples and bathing ghats. Each year in October and November, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make their way to the waters in the belief that during this period the water will cleanse them of all impurities. This celebration coincides with the largest camel market in the world when more than 150,000 dealers and tourists come to the small town. It is just over some mountains from the city of Ajmer.
THE STORY
The 500 temples that surround the lake are connected to the water by 52 ghats – said to represent each of Rajasthan’s maharajis. These rich old men would build their own guesthouses and hire priests to do their religious business on their behalf. Interesting facts include the fact that Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru’s ashes were sprinkled into the lake from the main ghat. In addition, Brahma ghat is supposed to have been Brahma’s very own worship spot.
The story goes that Brahma was going to marry Savitri, but she was late for the ceremony and Brahma had to quickly find someone else to marry at the gathering of the deities, yagya. The only eligible woman was Gaytri, from the untouchable Gujar caste. In order to purify her, they passed her through the mouth of a cow (gaya means cow, tri means through). Savitri, nderstandably, was rather upset with this change of events and cursed Brahma, saying he can only be worshipped at Pushkar. She also said that the Gujar caste could only be liberated after death if their ashes were scattered into the lake. This tradition still persists and Pushkar is the site of the only Brahma temple in India.
AHMEDABAD TO AJMER
October 2014, I thought of visiting Pushkar with one of my friend. This little hippie paradise of Rajasthan always tempted me in some way or another. and thought of visiting a place that had been in your head for a long time certainly makes you excited. We had a sleepless over night journey from Ahmedabad to Ajmer in a state transport bus. Windows were broken and chilly wind in midnight made bus arctic. I was also not carrying blanket hence slipping your head between Legs became to only option to deal with chilly winds. Sipping coffee on regular was another help to keep going. We reached Ajmer very early in the morning before the dawn and It was raining. from Ajmer, we rented a car and shared with bunch of travelers from different parts of the country. I took the front seat as i wanted to capture the beautiful route which was surrounded by mountains and hills. The scenic route made me remind of the song 'What a wonderful world' by Louis Armstrong.
Due to its popularity among long term backpackers, Pushkar is blessed with all ranges of accommodation. I preferred the nearest one from the lake. Hotel Lake-View!
Having reached Pushkar we decided to straightaway head to the “Pink Floyd Hotel and Café” to regain some energy after a tiring and shivering journey after checking into our hotel. But it was quite far from there and we din't even knew the way. so we quickly rushed to the laura's cafe, which was just nearby. As expected, Morning fog enveloped the whole town but afternoon Sun cleared up the haze. We were surprised by feeling the change of weather since the early morning. We went to rooftop and had a delicious breakfast with the scenic view of the town. They had good quality music speakers with 3.5mm jack input and that was enough to don't let us move for 2 hours. On our the way back to hotel, I stopped by a poster. My friend asked me "Whats that?" "WTF, Its Indian Ocean! and they are performing in Pushkar ghat by tonight." We were looking at each other and could't believe it. that poster given us some extra boost over a teen of beer. We quickly rushed to the ghat which was mentioned in the poster to make sure. when we reached at the venue, we saw some people setting up lights and stage. we asked the locals about the tickets, and we were surprised hearing him saying that 'It's free and open for all!' This could have not been better than that. What else do we need?
Even though Pushkar is very small, you definitely feel a presence in the town. I am not sure if it is the strong religious pull of the holy lake or the soft humming of people performing their pujas that permeates the town that creates its allurement. I was surprised to see the influence of foreign tourists on Pushkar. There were more foreigners than Indians. and It was completely like a Hippies' paradise! I found myself to be around lot of like-minded people. Its been a pleasure exchanging ideas over a cup of tea and smoke. I felt like a home after spending some quality time.
Beware though – the Brahmin (priests) can be quite forceful in getting you to take part in Puja ( a repetition of prayers at the water’s edge including the throwing of petals, rice and the tying of a red cord around your wrist, followed by a donation). On my first visit to the ghat, a very proactive Brahmin took me through the prayers and blessing only to virtually demand that I donate a huge sum of money. For me, it made the experience quite unpleasant – while I understand that they have to raise money, it felt insincere and I couldn’t help feeling like I’d been suckered. Wherever you are in India, generally if any mystical looking person tries to tie a blessed cord around your wrist and dot your forehead with red or yellow, know that you are going to be expected to cough up funds. Thankfully, once you’ve done your bit, you’re unlikely to be hassled by other Brahmins later on as they’ll be able to see your “Pushkar Passport” (your red thread).
The batherless bathing ghats (if there were bathers, I would not have taken the photos out of respect). At the time, I didn't realise that you were not allowed to take photos here and was chased down by a man after I snapped a few quick ones. Luckily he didn't make me delete them. Nonetheless, after that whole palaver, walking around the ghats, the holy lake glimmering in the afternoon sun, was inspiring and very relaxing in the warm dry air. We were reached to another side (from our hotel) of the lake which was surrounded by white domesticated ducks. We spent some time playing with them, clicking some pictures.
MEET THE MASTER DRUMMER OF RAJASTHAN
Finally we reached to Hotel Radhika Palace to take drum class from Mr. Nathulal Solanki, a well known Nagara player. Nagara also called as kettledrum, holds a significant place amongst Rajasthan’s folk instruments. Nathulal Solanki, the maestro of this wonderful instrument, hails from prestigious the ‘Pushkar Sangeet Gharana’ and has many music commendations to his name. Born and brought up in a family of music lovers, he showed prodigious ability of playing Nagara from his childhood. With the growing years, he mastered in Kuchamani Khayal and staged it all acorss the globe. Being louder than every other percussion instrument Nagara dominates the performance providing it with fascinating pauses. The beats of Nagara thrill the audience and the manipulation of the sticks with a dominant resonance sets the pace of the performance. The acclaimed artist has performed in different countries and with various legends of music spreading the culture and tradition of Rajasthan throughout the world. The marvelous Nagara player can also replicate classical beats of the Tabla on Nagara. For his contribution to the Rajasthani Music and art and taking it on the international platform, he has been lauded with many awards by various prominent personalities of the country.
In the evening i roamed extensively in Pushkar town to feel the aura of this mysterious town and i was trying to understand the ulterior life which runs in parallel with the traditional going of the town. Transformation of Pushkar during evening time is something mystic and will definitely catch your attention. You will find yourself in all together a different place which you had seen during light hours. I felt like being in down town surrounded by cowboys and awesome chicks. i was stunned through out the evening. There were group of tourists smoking pots, making joints and even taking some otherwise. Most of the roof top restaurants were playing rock and roll (psychedelic rock) and screening classic Hollywood stuff. Then I realized that the absolute freedom of Pushkar is true aura that attracts visitors in such an ordinary town. after that rave evening full of surprises and discoveries, I went back to the hotel.
Next morning was a bit foggy. a bit sunny. a bit chilly. a bit of everything. I roamed in those streets of pushkar and on the bank of the holy Pushkar lake. pilgrims were taking bath and were offering their prayers to the Deities. some kids were trying to sell handicrafts to the tourists. some tourists were packing their belongings to continue their spree. some were waking up after a lethargic evening. some were sipping tea. some were craving for substances to get high again.
PINK FLOYD CAFE EXPERIENCE
Pink Floyd Cafe: This was an awesome cafe that was full of hippies. In order to get to the cafe, you had to climb up some very steep and narrow stairs. I definitely wouldn't like to have tried after a few Kingfishers! It was hard enough for me to try and get in there without cracking my head sober!
In between ever changing surroundings, We went to Pink Floyd, well purely out of curiosity and because Pink Floyd happens to be one of my favorite band. The food is not something that I can rave about here, but it’s a must visit for all music lovers as this place is like a shrine of sorts to Floyd! They have Pink Floyd posters all over the place, they play Floyd on the stereo and heck! Even their rooms are named after Pink Floyd albums! Imagine telling someone, that you were staying at the ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’! The owner though is a bit of a piss off as he won’t let you take pictures of anything inside, although I did manage a few clicks on the sly. Also do not be alarmed if the waiter there casually asks you if you’d be interested in weed or hash. You can buy it if you want some and if you don’t, then you can just politely decline. No one is judging!
THE FOOD:
Pushkar, being a holy city, is entirely vegetarian. No eggs, meat or alcohol are allowed in Pushkar and drugs are frowned upon. And, while alcohol is officially outlawed, if you really feel like a drink, most restaurants can get you a beer. However, that doesn’t stop the pleasure seekers and tourists from enjoying whatever their poison may be. A very important thing to be mentioned here, is that you won’t get any non-vegetarian fare anywhere in Pushkar, but let that not stop you from trying out some really good food at some of the cafes here. Another thing that you won’t find here is alcohol, although some cafes do serve beer on the sly, Pink Floyd being one of them.
In Pushkar, you will find many roadside restaurants, small cafes and eateries serving Israeli, Italian, German, Mexican, Chinese and different varieties of Indian food. Some of the popular cafes being “The Funky Monkey Café”, “Out Of The Blue”, “Sunset Café” , “The Rasta Café” and of course “The Pink Floyd Hotel and Café”. Every restaurant we went to had many delicious options and we found ourselves visiting an assortment of eateries and rooftop restaurants. The destination is popular with tourists and you could see quite a number of young travellers looking as though they had consumed far too many bhang lassi (like a marijuana milkshake). Beautiful, thin women with dirty dreadlocks and bloodshot eyes sat in corner cafes with their bearded and dusty partners. They are in pushkar not just to smoke as much dope as possible and float around in a stoned haze but to live a peaceful life.
The best of all is the environmentally friendly gulkand lassi! they serve lassies and coffee in clay pots. Once you are finished you can just throw them on the ground and because it is clay, it will just go back into the earth (everybody throws their rubbish on the ground here, it's awful! Rubbish bins are scarce but I will still walk around with trash in my hand until I find one!)
From speaking to a number of locals, it seems that Israelis in particular have a very bad reputation and are not well liked. They tend to travel in large groups, living cheaply and spacing out on drugs. It is one of the popular countries for Israelis who have just finished their national service in Israel and India is their country of choice for getting lost. I found it quite amusing that many of them had fake dreadlock extensions added to their hair. In any case, I am not quite sure what it is that they do that so irritates the Indians, as there are many other travellers who are also intent on losing themselves through hallucinatory experiences.
LEGACY OF TEMPLES:
With over 500 different temples in Pushkar, if it’s your thing, you could spend days visiting all of them. I quite enjoyed walking up a nearby hill to the Gayitri temple which was built for Brahma’s wife. In any case, Savitri flew off in a huff to the temple that now stands on the high hill across the way from Gaytri’s temple, while the main Brahma temple sits near the water’s edge. The walk up to Gaytri Temple take about 20 minutes, while that up to Savitri apparently takes around an hour and a half.
Amazing view of Pushkar from the savitri temple. I made my friend climb to the top of this temple with me to take an areal view of the town! The climb was supposed to take an hour, but we did it in about half an hour. We took too many breaks and went slowly! As we walked down the trail, I noticed the goat was following us, but at quite a distance. On a short break, I quickly clicked some pictures and the goat continued to follow us for a few feet. After we broke out of the tree area, the goat backed off and stayed up by the trees. I guess the goat lost interest. I'm not sure if the goat liked my beret or maybe wondered what we were doing up there. I was seriously struggling at one point when we were so close to the temple. after breathing for some time, we got on the top and It was definitely a challenging climb. (but probably more so due to the fact that I haven't done any exercise!). The view was certainly worth the panting! We were so high!
SHOPPING
The vibrancy of the colourful state of Rajasthan is beautifully portrayed in the clothes, accessories and handicrafts available here. You can soak into the rich culture by donning the traditional garb complete with elaborate embroidery and silver jewellery, or you can go for a bohemian hippie girl look and choose from the abundance of printed kurtas, dhoti pants and a sling bag.
What to buy: Clothes, ethnic costumes, silver jewellery, groovy accessories, traditional handicrafts and souvenirs like Rajasthani puppets, pottery, embroidered fabrics and brass utensils among other homeware.
Where to buy: The major shopping areas in Pushkar are Sarafa Bazar, Baza Bazar and Kedalganj bazaar. All the bazaars comprise narrow streets that are often packed with little shops and stalls. Another great place to shop is close to Pink Floyd Café, Choti Basti where everything is for Rs 20 only! Clothes, purses, and a few accessories like head bands. Some of the stuff is old and some new, but if you dig in, you’re sure to find something you like. So stroll around and take your pick. And, do not forget to bargain!
The variety in clothes is unlimited. Dhoti pants, culottes, harem pants, kaftans, kurtas, sarongs, tunics, dresses, shrugs and lots more. Fabrics range from cotton and polyester to silk and weaves, such as khadi and jute. Block-printed textiles and tie and dye patterns reminiscent of this region’s local produce are common here. Ethnic jewellery, mainly in silver and oxidised silver, lac bangles, beaded necklaces, funky bracelets and fancy footwear are very popular with tourists. Most of these items come from Barmer and other tribal regions of Rajasthan and have been worked by hand.
One of the most spectacular pieces of art to buy from here is the exquisite range of miniature paintings made by local artists. Most of them depict stories of olden days when kings and queens would rule over common folk. There are also a number of leather goods, mesmerising puppets and pottery.
As we were in Pushkar during festival season, accommodation was not that cheap and the main bazaar area, which has silver jewellery, clothes, fabric and curio shops as well as food stalls, was overcrowded. We took a stroll around the Pushkar market, where you can pick up some interesting jewelry, mojris, colorful dupattas etc. There were amazing clothes and stunning silver jewellery. If I had a larger suitcase, I would have gone shopping crazy.
Don’t get startled if random men on bikes approach you as you are walking down the lanes and give you information on “Raves” happening at a distance and literally recite the hallucinogens that you will get there. Apparently it’s normal, as lots of raves happen here. My advice, just keep moving unless you want to attend one.
PUSHKAR FAIR
If there is one thing that Pushkar is known for, It is the famous Pushkar mela; the camel and livestock fair that is held here annually which attracts throngs of tourists from all over the world. Pushkar is an interesting place to visit, especially to see the balance between the religious importance of the place and the hipster attitude it exudes!
Every November, the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India comes alive with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of activity. The occasion: PUSHKAR FAIR. Very few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar. Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest camel fair. But it is much more than that.
EPILOGUE
We spent 4 days in magical and mystical Pushkar. A small town in the dessert well known for its Brahmin Temple and Sacred Lake. Here, thousands of pilgrims come at least once a year to participate in a Karmic Ceremony and wash away their sins by the lake. I gave many thanks for how fortunate I am, prayed for my loved ones and the ones that have left this world. After the ceremony, one throws flowers into the lake and makes a wish.
It is an occasion for villagers from far and near to gather together and enjoy a welcome break from their harsh life of the arid desert. And enjoy they do! In dazzling style and colors. It is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge for a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to "wash away the sins of a lifetime" and pay obeisance at the ONLY Brahma temple in the world.
What really surprised me about the town was the type of tourists that were in Pushkar. It seems that many people travel to Pushkar for a variety of reasons; some for the religious pilgrimage, others for the general experience and for the vast majority it was to spend some quality time with Mary Jane.
Yet in spite of this, pilgrims still make their way to Pushkar and perform puja (prayers) at the many bathing ghats that surround the now dry lake. The scene is peaceful and powerful – bathers gather in the water while cows wander the steps and holy men provide flower petals and blessings to visitors.
So if you want to experience the highs of living a peaceful life, steeped in unique culture, pushkar is the place. Found in the true glory of it's history, will connect you to the good life. For the visitor, it is an unparalleled and unforgettable experience to capture the vibrancy of the entire state of Rajasthan in one place. Pushkar is one of those town which has amazing life running underneath and that part will only be intangible if you stay for long. This blog post attempts to give you a glimpse of the magic of Pushkar. Of course, you have to be there to truly understand it.
According to legend, Pushkar, which is located in the desert of Rajasthan, came into being when Lord Brahma, the Creator, dropped a lotus flower from the heavens in order to kill a demon. Magically, where the petals landed, three lakes appeared and Lord Brahma is said to have organised a gathering of 900,000 celestial beings on the banks of the lake. Pushkar is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town and is wrapped around a holy lake. The waters of Pushkar are considered to be sacred. It has around 52 bathing ghats that are found around the perimeter of the lake. Hindus use these ghats as a form of religious ritual bathing or cleansing. One side of Pushkar lake is surrounded by dry Arawali hills and on the other side is borders the sand and bare land. It is the home of the only Brahama temple in the world.
Today Pushkar Lake is considered one of India’s most sacred sites and is surrounded by hundreds of temples and bathing ghats. Each year in October and November, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make their way to the waters in the belief that during this period the water will cleanse them of all impurities. This celebration coincides with the largest camel market in the world when more than 150,000 dealers and tourists come to the small town. It is just over some mountains from the city of Ajmer.
THE STORY
The 500 temples that surround the lake are connected to the water by 52 ghats – said to represent each of Rajasthan’s maharajis. These rich old men would build their own guesthouses and hire priests to do their religious business on their behalf. Interesting facts include the fact that Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru’s ashes were sprinkled into the lake from the main ghat. In addition, Brahma ghat is supposed to have been Brahma’s very own worship spot.
The story goes that Brahma was going to marry Savitri, but she was late for the ceremony and Brahma had to quickly find someone else to marry at the gathering of the deities, yagya. The only eligible woman was Gaytri, from the untouchable Gujar caste. In order to purify her, they passed her through the mouth of a cow (gaya means cow, tri means through). Savitri, nderstandably, was rather upset with this change of events and cursed Brahma, saying he can only be worshipped at Pushkar. She also said that the Gujar caste could only be liberated after death if their ashes were scattered into the lake. This tradition still persists and Pushkar is the site of the only Brahma temple in India.
AHMEDABAD TO AJMER
October 2014, I thought of visiting Pushkar with one of my friend. This little hippie paradise of Rajasthan always tempted me in some way or another. and thought of visiting a place that had been in your head for a long time certainly makes you excited. We had a sleepless over night journey from Ahmedabad to Ajmer in a state transport bus. Windows were broken and chilly wind in midnight made bus arctic. I was also not carrying blanket hence slipping your head between Legs became to only option to deal with chilly winds. Sipping coffee on regular was another help to keep going. We reached Ajmer very early in the morning before the dawn and It was raining. from Ajmer, we rented a car and shared with bunch of travelers from different parts of the country. I took the front seat as i wanted to capture the beautiful route which was surrounded by mountains and hills. The scenic route made me remind of the song 'What a wonderful world' by Louis Armstrong.
Due to its popularity among long term backpackers, Pushkar is blessed with all ranges of accommodation. I preferred the nearest one from the lake. Hotel Lake-View!
Having reached Pushkar we decided to straightaway head to the “Pink Floyd Hotel and Café” to regain some energy after a tiring and shivering journey after checking into our hotel. But it was quite far from there and we din't even knew the way. so we quickly rushed to the laura's cafe, which was just nearby. As expected, Morning fog enveloped the whole town but afternoon Sun cleared up the haze. We were surprised by feeling the change of weather since the early morning. We went to rooftop and had a delicious breakfast with the scenic view of the town. They had good quality music speakers with 3.5mm jack input and that was enough to don't let us move for 2 hours. On our the way back to hotel, I stopped by a poster. My friend asked me "Whats that?" "WTF, Its Indian Ocean! and they are performing in Pushkar ghat by tonight." We were looking at each other and could't believe it. that poster given us some extra boost over a teen of beer. We quickly rushed to the ghat which was mentioned in the poster to make sure. when we reached at the venue, we saw some people setting up lights and stage. we asked the locals about the tickets, and we were surprised hearing him saying that 'It's free and open for all!' This could have not been better than that. What else do we need?
Even though Pushkar is very small, you definitely feel a presence in the town. I am not sure if it is the strong religious pull of the holy lake or the soft humming of people performing their pujas that permeates the town that creates its allurement. I was surprised to see the influence of foreign tourists on Pushkar. There were more foreigners than Indians. and It was completely like a Hippies' paradise! I found myself to be around lot of like-minded people. Its been a pleasure exchanging ideas over a cup of tea and smoke. I felt like a home after spending some quality time.
Beware though – the Brahmin (priests) can be quite forceful in getting you to take part in Puja ( a repetition of prayers at the water’s edge including the throwing of petals, rice and the tying of a red cord around your wrist, followed by a donation). On my first visit to the ghat, a very proactive Brahmin took me through the prayers and blessing only to virtually demand that I donate a huge sum of money. For me, it made the experience quite unpleasant – while I understand that they have to raise money, it felt insincere and I couldn’t help feeling like I’d been suckered. Wherever you are in India, generally if any mystical looking person tries to tie a blessed cord around your wrist and dot your forehead with red or yellow, know that you are going to be expected to cough up funds. Thankfully, once you’ve done your bit, you’re unlikely to be hassled by other Brahmins later on as they’ll be able to see your “Pushkar Passport” (your red thread).
The batherless bathing ghats (if there were bathers, I would not have taken the photos out of respect). At the time, I didn't realise that you were not allowed to take photos here and was chased down by a man after I snapped a few quick ones. Luckily he didn't make me delete them. Nonetheless, after that whole palaver, walking around the ghats, the holy lake glimmering in the afternoon sun, was inspiring and very relaxing in the warm dry air. We were reached to another side (from our hotel) of the lake which was surrounded by white domesticated ducks. We spent some time playing with them, clicking some pictures.
MEET THE MASTER DRUMMER OF RAJASTHAN
Finally we reached to Hotel Radhika Palace to take drum class from Mr. Nathulal Solanki, a well known Nagara player. Nagara also called as kettledrum, holds a significant place amongst Rajasthan’s folk instruments. Nathulal Solanki, the maestro of this wonderful instrument, hails from prestigious the ‘Pushkar Sangeet Gharana’ and has many music commendations to his name. Born and brought up in a family of music lovers, he showed prodigious ability of playing Nagara from his childhood. With the growing years, he mastered in Kuchamani Khayal and staged it all acorss the globe. Being louder than every other percussion instrument Nagara dominates the performance providing it with fascinating pauses. The beats of Nagara thrill the audience and the manipulation of the sticks with a dominant resonance sets the pace of the performance. The acclaimed artist has performed in different countries and with various legends of music spreading the culture and tradition of Rajasthan throughout the world. The marvelous Nagara player can also replicate classical beats of the Tabla on Nagara. For his contribution to the Rajasthani Music and art and taking it on the international platform, he has been lauded with many awards by various prominent personalities of the country.
In the evening i roamed extensively in Pushkar town to feel the aura of this mysterious town and i was trying to understand the ulterior life which runs in parallel with the traditional going of the town. Transformation of Pushkar during evening time is something mystic and will definitely catch your attention. You will find yourself in all together a different place which you had seen during light hours. I felt like being in down town surrounded by cowboys and awesome chicks. i was stunned through out the evening. There were group of tourists smoking pots, making joints and even taking some otherwise. Most of the roof top restaurants were playing rock and roll (psychedelic rock) and screening classic Hollywood stuff. Then I realized that the absolute freedom of Pushkar is true aura that attracts visitors in such an ordinary town. after that rave evening full of surprises and discoveries, I went back to the hotel.
Next morning was a bit foggy. a bit sunny. a bit chilly. a bit of everything. I roamed in those streets of pushkar and on the bank of the holy Pushkar lake. pilgrims were taking bath and were offering their prayers to the Deities. some kids were trying to sell handicrafts to the tourists. some tourists were packing their belongings to continue their spree. some were waking up after a lethargic evening. some were sipping tea. some were craving for substances to get high again.
PINK FLOYD CAFE EXPERIENCE
Pink Floyd Cafe: This was an awesome cafe that was full of hippies. In order to get to the cafe, you had to climb up some very steep and narrow stairs. I definitely wouldn't like to have tried after a few Kingfishers! It was hard enough for me to try and get in there without cracking my head sober!
In between ever changing surroundings, We went to Pink Floyd, well purely out of curiosity and because Pink Floyd happens to be one of my favorite band. The food is not something that I can rave about here, but it’s a must visit for all music lovers as this place is like a shrine of sorts to Floyd! They have Pink Floyd posters all over the place, they play Floyd on the stereo and heck! Even their rooms are named after Pink Floyd albums! Imagine telling someone, that you were staying at the ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’! The owner though is a bit of a piss off as he won’t let you take pictures of anything inside, although I did manage a few clicks on the sly. Also do not be alarmed if the waiter there casually asks you if you’d be interested in weed or hash. You can buy it if you want some and if you don’t, then you can just politely decline. No one is judging!
THE FOOD:
Pushkar, being a holy city, is entirely vegetarian. No eggs, meat or alcohol are allowed in Pushkar and drugs are frowned upon. And, while alcohol is officially outlawed, if you really feel like a drink, most restaurants can get you a beer. However, that doesn’t stop the pleasure seekers and tourists from enjoying whatever their poison may be. A very important thing to be mentioned here, is that you won’t get any non-vegetarian fare anywhere in Pushkar, but let that not stop you from trying out some really good food at some of the cafes here. Another thing that you won’t find here is alcohol, although some cafes do serve beer on the sly, Pink Floyd being one of them.
In Pushkar, you will find many roadside restaurants, small cafes and eateries serving Israeli, Italian, German, Mexican, Chinese and different varieties of Indian food. Some of the popular cafes being “The Funky Monkey Café”, “Out Of The Blue”, “Sunset Café” , “The Rasta Café” and of course “The Pink Floyd Hotel and Café”. Every restaurant we went to had many delicious options and we found ourselves visiting an assortment of eateries and rooftop restaurants. The destination is popular with tourists and you could see quite a number of young travellers looking as though they had consumed far too many bhang lassi (like a marijuana milkshake). Beautiful, thin women with dirty dreadlocks and bloodshot eyes sat in corner cafes with their bearded and dusty partners. They are in pushkar not just to smoke as much dope as possible and float around in a stoned haze but to live a peaceful life.
The best of all is the environmentally friendly gulkand lassi! they serve lassies and coffee in clay pots. Once you are finished you can just throw them on the ground and because it is clay, it will just go back into the earth (everybody throws their rubbish on the ground here, it's awful! Rubbish bins are scarce but I will still walk around with trash in my hand until I find one!)
From speaking to a number of locals, it seems that Israelis in particular have a very bad reputation and are not well liked. They tend to travel in large groups, living cheaply and spacing out on drugs. It is one of the popular countries for Israelis who have just finished their national service in Israel and India is their country of choice for getting lost. I found it quite amusing that many of them had fake dreadlock extensions added to their hair. In any case, I am not quite sure what it is that they do that so irritates the Indians, as there are many other travellers who are also intent on losing themselves through hallucinatory experiences.
LEGACY OF TEMPLES:
With over 500 different temples in Pushkar, if it’s your thing, you could spend days visiting all of them. I quite enjoyed walking up a nearby hill to the Gayitri temple which was built for Brahma’s wife. In any case, Savitri flew off in a huff to the temple that now stands on the high hill across the way from Gaytri’s temple, while the main Brahma temple sits near the water’s edge. The walk up to Gaytri Temple take about 20 minutes, while that up to Savitri apparently takes around an hour and a half.
Amazing view of Pushkar from the savitri temple. I made my friend climb to the top of this temple with me to take an areal view of the town! The climb was supposed to take an hour, but we did it in about half an hour. We took too many breaks and went slowly! As we walked down the trail, I noticed the goat was following us, but at quite a distance. On a short break, I quickly clicked some pictures and the goat continued to follow us for a few feet. After we broke out of the tree area, the goat backed off and stayed up by the trees. I guess the goat lost interest. I'm not sure if the goat liked my beret or maybe wondered what we were doing up there. I was seriously struggling at one point when we were so close to the temple. after breathing for some time, we got on the top and It was definitely a challenging climb. (but probably more so due to the fact that I haven't done any exercise!). The view was certainly worth the panting! We were so high!
SHOPPING
The vibrancy of the colourful state of Rajasthan is beautifully portrayed in the clothes, accessories and handicrafts available here. You can soak into the rich culture by donning the traditional garb complete with elaborate embroidery and silver jewellery, or you can go for a bohemian hippie girl look and choose from the abundance of printed kurtas, dhoti pants and a sling bag.
What to buy: Clothes, ethnic costumes, silver jewellery, groovy accessories, traditional handicrafts and souvenirs like Rajasthani puppets, pottery, embroidered fabrics and brass utensils among other homeware.
Where to buy: The major shopping areas in Pushkar are Sarafa Bazar, Baza Bazar and Kedalganj bazaar. All the bazaars comprise narrow streets that are often packed with little shops and stalls. Another great place to shop is close to Pink Floyd Café, Choti Basti where everything is for Rs 20 only! Clothes, purses, and a few accessories like head bands. Some of the stuff is old and some new, but if you dig in, you’re sure to find something you like. So stroll around and take your pick. And, do not forget to bargain!
The variety in clothes is unlimited. Dhoti pants, culottes, harem pants, kaftans, kurtas, sarongs, tunics, dresses, shrugs and lots more. Fabrics range from cotton and polyester to silk and weaves, such as khadi and jute. Block-printed textiles and tie and dye patterns reminiscent of this region’s local produce are common here. Ethnic jewellery, mainly in silver and oxidised silver, lac bangles, beaded necklaces, funky bracelets and fancy footwear are very popular with tourists. Most of these items come from Barmer and other tribal regions of Rajasthan and have been worked by hand.
One of the most spectacular pieces of art to buy from here is the exquisite range of miniature paintings made by local artists. Most of them depict stories of olden days when kings and queens would rule over common folk. There are also a number of leather goods, mesmerising puppets and pottery.
As we were in Pushkar during festival season, accommodation was not that cheap and the main bazaar area, which has silver jewellery, clothes, fabric and curio shops as well as food stalls, was overcrowded. We took a stroll around the Pushkar market, where you can pick up some interesting jewelry, mojris, colorful dupattas etc. There were amazing clothes and stunning silver jewellery. If I had a larger suitcase, I would have gone shopping crazy.
Don’t get startled if random men on bikes approach you as you are walking down the lanes and give you information on “Raves” happening at a distance and literally recite the hallucinogens that you will get there. Apparently it’s normal, as lots of raves happen here. My advice, just keep moving unless you want to attend one.
PUSHKAR FAIR
If there is one thing that Pushkar is known for, It is the famous Pushkar mela; the camel and livestock fair that is held here annually which attracts throngs of tourists from all over the world. Pushkar is an interesting place to visit, especially to see the balance between the religious importance of the place and the hipster attitude it exudes!
Every November, the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India comes alive with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of activity. The occasion: PUSHKAR FAIR. Very few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar. Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest camel fair. But it is much more than that.
EPILOGUE
We spent 4 days in magical and mystical Pushkar. A small town in the dessert well known for its Brahmin Temple and Sacred Lake. Here, thousands of pilgrims come at least once a year to participate in a Karmic Ceremony and wash away their sins by the lake. I gave many thanks for how fortunate I am, prayed for my loved ones and the ones that have left this world. After the ceremony, one throws flowers into the lake and makes a wish.
It is an occasion for villagers from far and near to gather together and enjoy a welcome break from their harsh life of the arid desert. And enjoy they do! In dazzling style and colors. It is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge for a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to "wash away the sins of a lifetime" and pay obeisance at the ONLY Brahma temple in the world.
What really surprised me about the town was the type of tourists that were in Pushkar. It seems that many people travel to Pushkar for a variety of reasons; some for the religious pilgrimage, others for the general experience and for the vast majority it was to spend some quality time with Mary Jane.
Yet in spite of this, pilgrims still make their way to Pushkar and perform puja (prayers) at the many bathing ghats that surround the now dry lake. The scene is peaceful and powerful – bathers gather in the water while cows wander the steps and holy men provide flower petals and blessings to visitors.
So if you want to experience the highs of living a peaceful life, steeped in unique culture, pushkar is the place. Found in the true glory of it's history, will connect you to the good life. For the visitor, it is an unparalleled and unforgettable experience to capture the vibrancy of the entire state of Rajasthan in one place. Pushkar is one of those town which has amazing life running underneath and that part will only be intangible if you stay for long. This blog post attempts to give you a glimpse of the magic of Pushkar. Of course, you have to be there to truly understand it.
In talks with Kaviraj Thakur, Drummer and Vocalist from Ahmedabad. Be part of the music documentary being shot in Ahmedabad, To contribute, visit: http://s51.in/tcj
Here is the link to recent article that was published in The Times of India on Sept. 01, 2014 featuring 'The Connoisseur's Journal'
Be part of this documentary: http://s51.in/tcj
Check out official blog for latest updates: http://theconnoisseursjournal.blogspot.in/
Happy Independence day to all Indians across the world. Rise above the diversity of culture and embrace music that unites all. Celebrate freedom with THE CONNOISSEUR'S JOURNAL, Take pride in being part of this documentary. follow the link for more details: http://s51.in/tcj Share, contribute and make it happen!
Join official blog for more updates: http://theconnoisseursjournal.blogspot.in/
Here is the official trailer of one more short film i have edited recently.
There's an article in today's Navgujarat Samay which reports on The Connoisseur's Journal.
check it out: http://epaper.navgujaratsamay.com/paper/2-10@9-17@07@2014-1001.html
Check out official blog for latest updates: http://theconnoisseursjournal.blogspot.in/
Its been while since you haven't heard from me. Its because I have very hectic schedule to follow. I am happy to announce that our documentary project has been nominated at Crowdfunding Initiator, India's first residential bootcamp.
The project has been presented at GTU innovation council. We met lot of people, talked to them about our film, shared ideas and had some fruitful conversation to take this project up to a next level. We have received great response from mentors. They made us think how far we can go, and what could be the impact on society. Similarly we worked on forecast for upcoming 2 years and developed marketing strategy.
on 11th July our project has been launched at closing ceremony of crowdfunding initiator. our crowdfunding campaign video includes first glance to our documentary. It has gone live on http://www.start51.com/project/film-and-video/the-connoisseurs-journal and within 24 hours we have received great response from the people and local musicians. If you like what you see, help us and pay your tribute to independent music. We have 51 days to reach our target. If you are musician, music lover or music has done something to you, this is your chance to give something back to music. If you cant donate, just spread the word and help us reaching more music lovers. Share it on facebook, twitter and tell your friends about it. At CFI, there were 8 different projects by young innovators including our film, which you can now see on www.start51.com
We are thankful to Mr. Ateet Bajaj (founder of start51), Mr. Kumar Manish (Mentor), Mr. Hiranmay Mahanta, (Director of GTU Innovation) Aditi Gupta (Founder, Mentrupedia and our first contributor), Ritesh Ambastha (Founder, Iwillstudy.com) Henry Skup (Founder, FabLabs) and Pruthvi Sodha for their constant support.
We had two filming sessions in between during the bootcamp. We are soldiers and we don’t miss chance to SHOOT! so now we are getting back on the ground. This Sunday we are shooting at rock studio.
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| Jayrajsinh Chavda Talking about the film |
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| Jayrajsinh Chavda working on forecast |
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| Explaining the forecast and strategies to mentors |
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| Jayrajsinh Chavda receiving certificate from Akshai Akshai Aggarwal (Vice Chancellor, GTU) |
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| Presenting the pitch video at Gujarat Technological University, Gandhinagar |
We are thankful to Mr. Ateet Bajaj (founder of start51), Mr. Kumar Manish (Mentor), Mr. Hiranmay Mahanta, (Director of GTU Innovation) Aditi Gupta (Founder, Mentrupedia and our first contributor), Ritesh Ambastha (Founder, Iwillstudy.com) Henry Skup (Founder, FabLabs) and Pruthvi Sodha for their constant support.
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| Filming at Nidus Academy of Music and Arts on World Music Day (Photo Credit: Sushil Shukla) |
We had two filming sessions in between during the bootcamp. We are soldiers and we don’t miss chance to SHOOT! so now we are getting back on the ground. This Sunday we are shooting at rock studio.
We are currently working wild and we have lot of tasks besides shooting and editing. so if you are music lover from Ahmedabad or sharing the same interest with us. you can be in the team, write to us at contact@tcjmovie.com if interested. we have our post production studio located in the middle of the city where we spent our most of the time.
Join official blog for more updates: http://theconnoisseursjournal.blogspot.in/
See what my city has to offer! The Connoisseur's Journal is a feature length documentary project and it has gone live on start51.com read more about it and tell us what you think? I need your support to make it BIG!
You can be part of this documentary. to support this project, go to: http://www.start51.com/project/film-and-video/the-connoisseurs-journal
You can be part of this documentary. to support this project, go to: http://www.start51.com/project/film-and-video/the-connoisseurs-journal
Even though today is the World Music Day, I celebrate it every single day of my life, cause it's the reason I'm standing..
Here is my musical journey and my love to the city Ahmedabad: The Connoisseur's Journal - A Music Documentary
Hello World! Today is Fete De La Musique - World Music Day! and I take this opportunity to introduce my musical documentary project called ‘The Connoisseur’s Journal’ 
‘The Connoisseur’s Journal’ is a feature length musical documentary, showcases evolution music & culture in Ahmedabad through the narrative point of view of a Connoisseur, a deep researcher of music, who candidly writes his observation in his journal. He meets artists, musicians, music lovers and every other dreamer affected by music. He talks with them to understand how music moves them and how important music is to them. This documentary could serve as reference for every music lover to acknowledge the magnificent music that Ahmedabad has to offer. Following a brief overview of the roots of music in Ahmedabad, dating back to the 1990s, the story will be told through the testimonies of those who lived through this promising era in Ahmedabad’s modern history. Weaving together moving interviews and rare archival footage (of artists' lives, performances, theatrical plays, and historic festivals), the documentary will portray, for the first time on film, the individual journeys of musicians, their legacy, and the enduring power of the music. the film will testify to the ability of music to sustain and improve our lives, as well as help us make sense of the uncertain world in which we live.
I believe that "To understand the place, you have to listen to the music it plays" it is to no one’s surprise that a lot of good music is being played in Ahmedabad, with a great variety of voices, styles, and influences from everywhere on the globe. the documentary explores Ahmedabad, their people, alternative culture and it's music of every kind you will listen to influential musicians from many different genres accompanied by mostly melancholic views of Ahmedabad's urban texture.
I have always been experimenting with sound, since the day i learned to play music and my voyage leads to the discovery of a broad spectrum ranging from rock, metal modern electronic and hip-hop to classical and folk. I have been roaming the streets of Ahmedabad with a camera and mobile recording studio to assemble an inspired portrait of music. I started this project back in 2010 as a one man crew. So far, I have shot music festivals, concerts, musical celebrations, gigs by local bands and wide range of events that has live music and performances. I went in expecting a taste of music that would satisfy my curiosity and got more than I asked for. I heard and saw a powerful, exquisite, sometimes haunting, sometimes touching, lyrical, sentimental (in the truest way) and absolutely stunning blend of music and musicians. I was shooting wild by days and nights sometimes. but the material was not enough for me, so i kept on filming different kinds of music from different corners of the city as i always wanted to capture the musical diversity of the city. Do not expect a compilation of music by various local bands or anything like that. it is a biography of a city and how music stay alive in it we can say. it is more of a journey through the music scene in modern Ahmedabad, India as well as portraying its cultural life. And the glorious city is given but a minimal chance to show off the sights and sounds that inspire so much of its music.
Wishing you all music lovers a Happy World Music Day. let's celebrate India's musical journey & achievements of Indian talent across the globe.
– Jayrajsinh Chavda ‘Aazad’
‘The Connoisseur’s Journal’ is a feature length musical documentary, showcases evolution music & culture in Ahmedabad through the narrative point of view of a Connoisseur, a deep researcher of music, who candidly writes his observation in his journal. He meets artists, musicians, music lovers and every other dreamer affected by music. He talks with them to understand how music moves them and how important music is to them. This documentary could serve as reference for every music lover to acknowledge the magnificent music that Ahmedabad has to offer. Following a brief overview of the roots of music in Ahmedabad, dating back to the 1990s, the story will be told through the testimonies of those who lived through this promising era in Ahmedabad’s modern history. Weaving together moving interviews and rare archival footage (of artists' lives, performances, theatrical plays, and historic festivals), the documentary will portray, for the first time on film, the individual journeys of musicians, their legacy, and the enduring power of the music. the film will testify to the ability of music to sustain and improve our lives, as well as help us make sense of the uncertain world in which we live. I believe that "To understand the place, you have to listen to the music it plays" it is to no one’s surprise that a lot of good music is being played in Ahmedabad, with a great variety of voices, styles, and influences from everywhere on the globe. the documentary explores Ahmedabad, their people, alternative culture and it's music of every kind you will listen to influential musicians from many different genres accompanied by mostly melancholic views of Ahmedabad's urban texture.
I have always been experimenting with sound, since the day i learned to play music and my voyage leads to the discovery of a broad spectrum ranging from rock, metal modern electronic and hip-hop to classical and folk. I have been roaming the streets of Ahmedabad with a camera and mobile recording studio to assemble an inspired portrait of music. I started this project back in 2010 as a one man crew. So far, I have shot music festivals, concerts, musical celebrations, gigs by local bands and wide range of events that has live music and performances. I went in expecting a taste of music that would satisfy my curiosity and got more than I asked for. I heard and saw a powerful, exquisite, sometimes haunting, sometimes touching, lyrical, sentimental (in the truest way) and absolutely stunning blend of music and musicians. I was shooting wild by days and nights sometimes. but the material was not enough for me, so i kept on filming different kinds of music from different corners of the city as i always wanted to capture the musical diversity of the city. Do not expect a compilation of music by various local bands or anything like that. it is a biography of a city and how music stay alive in it we can say. it is more of a journey through the music scene in modern Ahmedabad, India as well as portraying its cultural life. And the glorious city is given but a minimal chance to show off the sights and sounds that inspire so much of its music.
Wishing you all music lovers a Happy World Music Day. let's celebrate India's musical journey & achievements of Indian talent across the globe.
– Jayrajsinh Chavda ‘Aazad’
I still can't believe it's June. Half-way through the year already! I was on hardcore editing sessions since the beginning of this year. days and sleepless nights.. have worked on a docudrama, music video, and corporate film projects etc. each project was a different experience and made me learn what to do and what not to. Its been so hectic and now its going to be even more hectic than that, but i would never get tired, because its the passion that i am living. from this month, up to ending of current year (or may be even next year!), I would be working on my personal film projects. everything is lined up back to back. this month i would be filming musical celebrations and gigs for my music documentary project.
So yes, One Man Army is back in ACTION!
"There are millions of hearts, who lived their life through books, and when they died, they became one."
With love and support of literature enthusiasts in Ahmedabad, SATORI has been able to live up to its name. Ahmedabad National Book Fair - 2013 brought the moment when every reader could freely connect to people with same ideas but different expression. Together they created the magic of life, the awakening, Satori.
Shot and Edited by
Jayrajsinh Chavda 'Aazad'
Sincere thanks to
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
and The organizing committee of Ahmedabad National Book Fair
The cyclonic night comes to an end with the best of off-roading. We are saved by a fraction of second as I stopped the car and a huge tree fell on the road. what an epic scene!
The look and feel is changed. One Evening, I won’t forget. Ahmedabad is trashed!
The look and feel is changed. One Evening, I won’t forget. Ahmedabad is trashed!
I had amazing time editing this music video.
Ahmedabad, are you ready to dance, THIS HOLI?
I honestly can't tell you how touching it was to see all these emails and wishes left from those who chose to take a moment of their time to write! I feel very blessed and i take this moment to say thanks to you all for astonishing birthday wishes.. love and peace!
Well, maybe I should say this music therapist’s relationship with music? It’s all personal, I guess. My relationship with music has been like every relationship really… it has had it’s highs and lows, I have great memories, not-so-great memories and no matter what has happened between me and music through the years I’ve learned a lot about myself through the process. It really shouldn’t really surprise me that i have learned a lot about myself through my relationship with music because that’s exactly what MUSIC THERAPY is… having a relationship with music in order to achieve personal growth. so music.. it isn't just a sound to me. it is a comfort. it has the power to pull me where it wants to go. It understands me when people don't and when you hear that 5 minute song that can take you to an event in your life. and make you feel those emotions and have them swirling around in your body.. and even when they are bad emotions.. you still feel very much alive. so how is it... that i feel.. that comfortably numb! that listening to a song that has so much meaning brings me nothing. it is like falling out with a best friend. because to me, music is a best friend. and depression is enemy/torture.. and i want this torture to end please. I find listening to music and going into my own world really helps me when I am feeling bad. That is how I get through my Nightshifts. You can learn so much about people by the music they listen to and their relationship to it.
I have always prided myself as being an eclectic music producer and music appreciator. I like almost any kind of music and I think my varied tastes reflect my personality and mirrors what I am going through emotionally at the time. Music has been important to me throughout my life; it carries me through struggles and helps to frame milestones and transitions.
Everyone has a story, heres is mine..
I started playing music at my teenage and formed my first band at high school. I listened to many of the alternative bands and bollywood music as well. but when i entered in theatre study after schooling, somehow i stopped playing music, because that time i got into a new different world with lot of othermore things to play with. but music was still with me, while learning different parameters and art forms of theatre, i composed music for plays and wrote some songs as well. during my 3 year theatre study, I explored and created a unique sound by using synthesizers.
Drawing on my background as a storyteller, I often uses music to influence my visual style, pacing, and technique. With every project, my goal has always been to: "impact my audience through dramatic, compelling, and cinematic experiences." I composed background scores myself for my short films which received numerous awards in best music category at various film festivals.
Now fast forward 3 years later and yes, I still listen to a lot of alternative bands. It’s funny because I automatically classify those bands as cool and acceptable. But any other bands that are not in that category, I feel like I am back in high school and I have to hide that I like them or I have to justify why I like them. but there is only one band who has influenced me a lot and planted a new seed in my musical brain. that was THE PINK FLOYDSOUND. after listening to PINK FLOYD, i use to listen all tracks on repeat mode from the discography, because I think its not that easy to understand what kind of music they played, what the song is all about and what does that mean even, I found out that there's a philosophical touch in the lyrics and psychedelic elements in their music, and somehow it didn't let me sleep at nights. and i explored bunch of music videos and documentaries about PINK FLOYD. they were full of angst and their powerful songs were intoxicating. These artists and their music helped me through difficult years; I felt like someone really understood what I was going through and it made me feel powerful. I was and I am heavily influenced by PINK FLOYD and at the same time I was discovering all these amazing bands from classic rock era of 60s and 70s. Parallel, i started my music again. off-course, now it won't sound like the music i played at high school but it is something that bloomed my mind. i use to make music days-n-nights but still something was missing, its like i can sense, i know the feeling and the tone of that sound but it use to take lot of time to come out on the keys. so finally i have decided to join a formal study in music.. LEARNING MUSIC.
Its been so long, i wanted to do it but somehow i couldn't. but in this new year I finally took the time to go to music classes. i would be studing staff notations at musician's alley. it starts from TODAY ONLY! so my new year's resolution is... sticking to MUSIC while i am busy with filming and editing.
Music is a big part of my life and always has been so I think it is time for me to realize that my tastes in music and my relationship to it has changed because I have changed. The majority of the music I used to listen to helped me express and make sense of intense feelings and emotions. Now that I am getting older and mellowing out, I notice that I now need my music to reflect my happiness and make me feel light, which is probably why my tastes are so varied.
... and so music is therapy for me and I am in relationship with MUSIC. Peace out!
About me
Indian Filmmaker, Theatre Arts Graduate, Music Producer, Writer, Film Editor, Anthropologist, Video Journalist, Environmentalist, Free Spirit, Hippie by Heart.
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About Me
- Jayrajsinh Chavda 'Aazad'
- I did my bachelors in Performing Arts (Theatre Arts) and consistently pursuing the calling of my dreams and vision, making films, rather, the creative aspects of filmmaking. Theatre also holds a huge piece of my heart, so I love spending my time either on a set, or on a stage. I am interested to make thought provoking cinema, films which is highly visual, grand, epic, cinematic style, with unconventional narrative structures breaking form, blending reality and imagination, fantasy, dreams, scientific, philosophical, metaphysical and humanistic ideas. What I make reflects my experiences in life, my emotions, my feelings about certain things, my stories and of course, the many worlds that reside in my imagination. So when I say "I make films" it just means that I am manifesting bits and pieces of me in a motion. What I write is simply an overflow of interactions I have with the brokenness of the human condition. Some of it comes in dreams, other times it emerges from seasons of sorrow, humiliation, warfare, joy and pain. I am endlessly creating myself with nothing but peace, positivity, and good vibes. I Have been living quite of nomadic-hippie lifestyle.
