Giants guarding Royal Tombs, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Bada Bagh, which literally means 'Big Garden', is located 6 Km off the Jaisalmer city on Ramgarh Road. It was commissioned by Maharawal Jait Singh in the early 16th century and completed by his son Lunakaran after his death.

The cluster of cenotaphs are an interesting aspect of this place. These cenotaphs also known as chattris and were constructed by the various Bhatti rulers. One cenotaph has been erected for each ruler. The oldest among them is the cenotaphs of Maharawal Jait Singh who reigned from 1470-1506. This tradition was discontinued when in 1947, one of the prince died of a mysterious disease. This was taken as a bad omen and thus this tradition came to its end. Over 40 carved domes, some contiguous, other individual structures, complete this cluster of tombs, the burial ground of Kings. The last chhatri, meant for maharaja Jawahar Singh, dates from the 20th century and remains unfinished after Indian independence.

Bada Bagh is now surrounded by windmills used to generate electricity. When I think back of this place, the one thing that always jumps back into mind are the hundred of wind turbines spread over an empty desert landscape. Walking through these fields all I could hear was an alien-like resonance coming from the huge (over 30m high) three bladed wind turbines. These modern giants were, as if guarding the Royal Tombs otherwise derelict and neglected..an imposing presence which couldn't be more contrasting!

PaulVDV, besnard, Bergenphotos, eversmile, jhm, pierrefonds, Budapestman, ChrisJ, gervaso, subhendu_bagchi, papagolf21, Graal, belido, patdeph, Didi, ciakgiak, danos, John_F_Kennedy, emilbo, Bluejeans has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PaulVDV (62802) 2009-11-09 22:44

Hello Angshu,
This picture shows clearly a combination of history and modernisation.
It gives me a strange feeling because I have visited these cenotaphs near Jaisalmer before the windmills were built.
You found the perfect POV to show the rows of cenotaphs and windmills in a well balanced photo.
Best regards, Paul

besnard (59196) 2009-11-09 22:53

Bonjour Angshuman
Un cliché clair et lumineux qui nous fait voir la juxtaposition de deux civilations : l'ancien et le moderne.
Merci pour cette belle image et bonne journée.
Nicole

Bergenphotos (3326) 2009-11-09 23:54

Hi Angshuman.
This is a lovely place. The windmills does not fit into it, but somehow they make a great perspective and an excellent contrast.
This is not a place I usually would like to see windmills, but they fit very well into the picture.
The colours are also great, and the composition too.

Regards, Fredrik.

pajaran (114915) 2009-11-10 0:26

Pozdrav.
Kontrast starog i novog, dobar tekst, kompozicija i odlicne boje. Dobra fotografija sa lepim prednjim palnom.
Puno pozdrava, srecno, Paja.

eversmile (11636) 2009-11-10 1:58

Hi Angshu

I am puzzled by this picture. I would not have imagined the cenotaph surrounded by such metallic giants, and the contrast, in itself, looks like a SF image. Even only for this reason, your picture, as an amazing testimony on the changes that have affected the place recently, is worth its smileys. But there is not only that. The composition is very well balanced, the texture lets imagine the air vibrant with the heat, and the colors are good.
On top of all that, your note is very agreable to read and really instructive. Congratulations!
Regards
Marine

carper (96) 2009-11-10 4:07

it's a special shot Angshu
this modern windmills on the old tombs, well I have never seen such like this before, good pov, fine composition and marvelous contrast, good photo job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

jhm (211734) 2009-11-10 4:15

Hello Angshu,

Green of the trees, brown of the old city, blue of the sky this are the ingredients for your nice picture.
But the windmills are the real eye catchers.
Sharpness and clarity, we see the different colours very nice.
Nice perspective and real colours.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

pierrefonds (113590) 2009-11-10 4:52

Hi Angshuman,

The wind turbines and the trees are framing well the royal tombs. The point of view leads my eye toward the tombs which is giving depth to the cpmposition. The good luminosity is bringing out the earth colors of the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

yquem46 (38752) 2009-11-10 4:58

namaste Angshu Ji
i can't believe it! i was there at these cenotaphs in 2006 and no windmills at all
Couldn't they place them a bit further away from one of the important touristic spots in jaisalmer !?
TFS Angshu
best to you
patrick
on the night plane to Delhi tomorrow and then Chennai and TN ! Great

Budapestman (82620) 2009-11-10 5:59

Dear Angshu,
The old and new architecture meet spectacularly on this photo, the huge machines dominate the sight. You found a superb optic angle to the photo. The details are effective, the colours and lights are very nice. Great shot of this place. Have a nice day!
George
PS. Thank you for your kind words

ChrisJ (171222) 2009-11-10 7:04

Hello Angshu

A good juxtapositioning, between the old & the new. Good sharpness, framing & colour with nice repetition of the wind turbines & an excellent warm cold colour contrast between red and blue. Tfs!

gervaso (28177) 2009-11-10 15:31

Hello, Angshuman!

Beautiful view of these giants, shown with excellent depth due to the soft colors of the ones in the background. The colors are wonderful in tones of dark green and brown. Wonderful job!

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2009-11-10 21:08

Today i came across this photo making technology called "shift" something..dont remember quite..where the elemnts can be made to miniaturized...while the odd single elemnt stands in between defying all logic and sense..is this one of those ??

But an unusual graphic..tc bro

sayeed

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2009-11-10 21:23

Namaskar Angshu da,
nice presentation of the wind mills and the cenotaphs. Nice perspective and contrasted well with the greeneries in foreground. Light is fine. An uncommon view of India. Tfs.
Regards
Subhendu

papagolf21 (152605) 2009-11-11 1:45

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Je ne connais toujours pas votre secret pour nous présenter des lieux insolites avec la présence de ces éoliennes.
La beauté de l'image est patente.
Félicitations.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Graal (103040) 2009-11-11 2:02

Hi Angshuman,
good title. Amazing contrast of new constructions and old royal tombs. Well done photo and note. Ilike it.
Gr., Aleksander

holmertz (101988) 2009-11-11 6:01

Hello Angshuman,
This is a very interesting photo, and beautiful too. I could wish they would have put the windmills a bit further away, but then there will always be some other excuse why they shouldn't be in that other place. This picture really shows a changing world, and it proves that India is also taking steps towards producing the renewable energy that is necessary to save the earth.
Thanks for sharing,
Gert

belido (19934) 2009-11-11 6:29

Namaste Angshu,

this is surreal to me. At least original and unique landscape. Very good photography eye to see this hidden beauty scene. The electricity windmills look giants as you well mention in the title. I like this a lot!
Abraço,
Carlos

patdeph (35750) 2009-11-11 8:40

namaste Angshuman
I don't know what to think about this!I am so disappointed to see these modern mills so near the cenotaph!This is the desert,it must have been possible to build them a little bit further!I know this is necessary,but...!It was so beautiful from this POV!Yes,this is still beautiful,but the charm has been destroyed!Anyway,your picture is super,enhanced by a splendid light!
Regards
Pascale

Didi (61589) 2009-11-11 9:08

Salam Angshu
The windmills structure are are different than in Europe.
Nice view and interesting contrast with the greens and the orange tombs.
Best regards

ciakgiak (30) 2009-11-11 13:27

Hello Angshuman,
This picture shows an incredible combination of history and modernism.
I don't understand how it's possible a similar situation because the site is really superb.
The image is excellent with a perfect POV and quality. Congratulations and TFS.
Best regards,
Giorgio

Waylim (25436) 2009-11-11 17:55

Hi Angshu,
It is interesting to see the two elements of past and future. It make an interesting image. As always, the quality of the shot is just great, Beautiful composition, The colors are rich in tone, both of the warm earthtone and the deep blue sky. thanks. Catch up with you in two weeks.
Way

danos (110407) 2009-11-12 0:25

Hi Angshu,
nice the view of this big garden with the lot of cenotaphs to spread all over the place.
The modern windmills on the hill as the reddish colour of the ground 'marriage' the new with the new pleasantly.

Regards,Danos

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-11-12 3:04

Hello Angshuman
Nice perspective! And what a view to the modern and old creations of human beings. I like the lighting here, really brings out that beautiful landscape.
Best wishes,
Achim

pablominto (53746) 2009-11-12 23:46

Hello Angshu,

This is an amazing scene, the contrast is incredible!
Windmills are a subject of discussion in my place, arguments say they represent a visual pollution and also kill a lot of birds...
This is an interesting documentary of how the past exists side by side with the modern times..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

rajiv_077 (1412) 2009-11-21 5:22

Hi

Never been seen wind turbines with architecture, very very impressive. Good view.

regards

rajiv

plimrn (21344) 2009-11-23 16:49

Hi Angshu,
Wow!! What an amazing contrast between the warm earth tones of the ancient tombs and the huge, cold 'guardians.' Interesting how you integrate the two in your mind rather than bemoaning the change.

Sorry I'm slow replying, I've been on a trip with no internet access.

HLJ, Pat

lacroux (4562) 2009-12-02 2:13

Hello Angshu
The world is changing, each nation is attached to its roots and its culture, is what makes it rich.
Today, everything becomes uniform, the Macdo everywhere, the wind turbines are popping up everywhere and and raise everywhere the same problems. Eiffel Tower for tourists are manufactured in China, all big metropolises are alike ... What will happen in 50 years?
It is the story that tells me this picture ...
Amicalement.
Pierre.

emilbo (22616) 2009-12-02 13:36

Salut Angshuman,
Très intéressante prise de vue et beau contraste entre l'ancien et le moderne. Compte tenu du temps, les tombes couleurs terre sont magnifiques et belle harmonie avec la verdure en avant-plan.
Tous mes compliments,
Amicalement,
Emilius

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-12-03 5:31

Ola amigo ,
Muito interessante o contraste de moderno e antigo nesta tua foto , os gigantes moinhos de vento comparados com os pequenos templos , boas cores, gostei do ponto de visão , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo