subbarayan_prasanna Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>We made a small tour of the historic Chola Landscape in Tanjavur District. It is on the Delta of the River Kaveri [aka Cauvery]. The Delta was created by an early Chola king Karikala around 2000 years ago. He built a check dam of stone masonry on the river and split it into six dis-tributaries and had dug extensive canals for irrigation of these lands. The Dam is still functional, was restored in 1920s with mechanical control gates. More about this later.<br /><br />On our way to view these monuments, great Temples of the Chola Empire, we came across many pretty village scenes. I am posting a few shots here; all the pictures were taken with one of my favorite Praktica Nova 1Bs with the Meyer Oreston 50mm f/1.8 lens and scanned in my old HP 3010 scanner. The film is ORWO UN54 developed in my home brew.<br /><br />This village, Pandanallur, is close to the banks of a major dis-tributary called Kollidam [Coleroon in the Latin maps]. Most villages in the Delta are famous for their talented people. Pandanallur was famous for its classical dance school. Most of the famous dance stars of Bharat Natyam camped in this village under primitive conditions and learnt their art, since 1900s till the 1970s. They came from all over the country.<br /><br />I would visit the place again and do a more detailed photo essay. <br /><br /></p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbarayan_prasanna Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>Built with local materials, mud walls and thatch roofs, some use bricks made in off-season local kilns. The change is in the electricity supply and the TV and other gadgets they use. Some, like school teachers and prosperous farmers use computers to get information on farming directions.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbarayan_prasanna Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>I found an esthetic in this ambiance that seemed special. The cattle roam freely here. But, unlike the city bred brats these people don't seem to throw garbage around.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbarayan_prasanna Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>Many farmers have small holdings. So they don't own tractors and farm machinery. These are owned by entrepreneurs or big farmers and loaned to small farmers on ploughing, sowing and harvesting seasons. The younger generation of school graduates seek employment in these mechanized outfits. Thus unskilled farm labour is getting to be in short supply.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbarayan_prasanna Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>Conserving water has become critical. Old time flow irrigation is limited, as the rivers are rain-fed. They are building minor irrigation works, with local storage tanks [for irrigated and drained water] and lined-canals to regulate water flow.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbarayan_prasanna Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>I photographed these in the first week of March 2014. There was plenty of the ubiquitous Winter haze. That added to the atmospherics. Thanks for viewing and your comments. It is a vast subject in a historic landscape. I am starting only with a minute glimpse. sp<br> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod_larson Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 <p>Wonderful photo essay. Looking forward to more from your trip.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two23 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>These were very nice photos and I enjoyed your commentary. I hope to see more from you in the future.</p> <p>Kent in SD</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Fascinating glimpse of your country, as usual,<strong> SP</strong>. Those village houses look really cosy, and the surrounding countryside is attractive. Nice tones from the Oreston. Don't be slow with the next installment!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Very pleased to see another photo essay from you.<br> You've outdone even yourself with this one, I think.</p> <p>The "winter haze" does give a different feel from the tropical sun of many of your urban shots.<br> BRAVO</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_5050610 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>As always, SP--excellent! I really enjoy your tours--please let's see more!<br> Thanks!<br> Paul</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew in Austin Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Outstanding documentary images - Compared to the now crowded city where I live, there is a sense of harmony to these village scenes.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p> Best Regards - Andrew in Austin, TX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_502260 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>My own experience with a Nova 1B was not very good but I see that good work with the camera is possible. I wish I had your ability to get the old cameras going. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou_Meluso Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Interesting seeing the utility wires going into thatched roof tops. Thanks for the post.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Great series, SP. I always enjoy your photo tours. I'd say the ORWO UN54/home brew combination has been refined to a science as it looks great. Good sharpness with that Meyer Oreston lens. Thanks for sharing.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Great to see you back and posting here. As others have mentioned it is always nice to see shots from other parts of the world. Great results and can't wait to see more from you. Take care.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j._louis_campo Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 <p>Oh, how I have missed seeing your posts SP. Superb work, as always.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Es Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMar Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Wonderful photos and essay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 <p>Great to see some more shots from you SP, and what a wonderful village you have found. The light looks perfect for B&W photography and the Oreston seems to deliver.<br> Just been looking at Cartier-Bressons' book of Indian photographs,...they are fairly good too!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen_gara Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 <p>Really great photo essay, thanks for sharing. The mix of timeless hard labor and modernity is fascinating. I wasn't aware of "Winter Haze", so I checked wiki. Interesting, but not in a good way.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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