It was then my first visit to Mumbai. And hence everything i was laying my eyes on went deeper than only seeing. I was hearing, more. Walking more. A place that promises light to your dreams ever since you earned consciousness, a place known for many a rags to riches story. Famous or infamous for world’s second largest Film Industry. I was there looking at every action, motion, observing how people move, react, are.
Yet, I hadn’t been able to go out much then in Mumbai. One thing that i had loved walking in mumbai were the dairy shops where you would get Chai from the fresh milk. So one day while having malai/cream chai at a milk dairy I had started having a liking for, only because there was a beautiful big peepal tree I could sit under. And secondly. unlike in north India where there is milk a plenty but there is no way you can sit and enjoy different variations of milk in a dairy shop. Mumbai seemed to be bathing in milk as much and moreover you could sit here like in restaurants.

That evening I had my camera as i had gone on a photographic walk around the Versova betty area. It seemed a beautiful day as i had hardly moved around mumbai studying it in images ever before. I can say that was my maiden image day for Bombay.
After a whole day of making images around sea and standing passenger jetty, i was coming back to my favourite chai shop when a sound of brass bands, drums started approaching from far. I followed that sound, it wasn’t that hard and found colours that were talked vibrantly. Without even asking I started following the people and the bride for next few hours till the moon came out. I think it was a day of the wedding and i was documenting the bride’s journey to a local temple before they would leave for the wedding venue.

So i followed the bride to the local temple, and later a whole detour of the old versova village was taken moving towards the bride’s home. The family was surprised yet they were elated. They fed me and asked me to come along for the wedding. I handed my card over and told them i will inform them if i can make it, as i had given my time somewhere else.












It was a refreshing time and day for me, to move about and discover local lanes and earlier in day, the coastal suburb with a very subtle fragrance of fish penetrating my whole being settling over mine and bodies of houses and humans alike.

It was also the day that opened me to Mumbai. When everyone had left, i sat looking what was left behind. I had a beautiful day and that journey in Mumbai still lingers around in my mind because few days after there would come along a beautiful project that took me to the most ancient sites Buddhist sites in Sanjay Gandhi national park and most awaited Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

But more of that, sometime later. Hope you enjoyed the great Indian street wedding. And do let me know if you have danced at any Indian Wedding yet?
Dear Narayan,
How wonderful to read the words written by someone passionately in love with his country and its people. You turn the everyday occasion like weddings are in a big city, into a colourful, poetic encounter, with the pictures so full of detail. You don’t want us to miss anything, even the inside of the magnificent parasol/umbrella. It is as your voice was urging us to look, and look again. Dancing at the wedding like this? It would be a delight!
Joanna
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It would be delightful to dance Joanna, you can’t stop when Wedding music plays here 🙂 Is parasol a spanish word ?
It is true Joanna that i love this country but i love her for the ethics and morals her children/our ancestors have bestowed upon us. For example, and simple as, understanding of breath. Yogis like me who are living in a world blinded by screens and glamour of all kinds, so just being thankful.
I hope you are well and breathing deep, Joanna.
❤️
Nara
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This feels familiar. I am sure I have seen this post a few months back? xo
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Ha ha, hey Sabiscuit. Yes, it was an old old post. Updated with newer images, i saw i didn’t post back then. But hey, thanks.
at least it got you here after some time 😉
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Woah…You have just managed to transport me to the Mumbai bylane! 👏👏👏well written!
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Ramya, Mumbai carries certain charm isn’t it! some magic, do love that place.
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Awesome Narayan. Amchi Mumbai 💖🤩
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🙂 Just read you live Pune, i have beautiful memories of my time in FTII there, dear Ashok. But yes, amchi mumbai, though you will agree with me, with ongoing ruckus there, things are going to change.
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I have lived all over the country Narayan and find Mumbai and Delhi and Bangalore not liveable any longer 😛
I love Pune and Chandigarh and a few other smaller towns
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Totally, i cant tell you how unbelievably beautiful, forms filled sky delhi had due to this Pandemic that it was a delight to keep looking up. The colour and feeling within body this whole season was different and probably a blessing for all non-human beings.
Yes, both are beautiful and i am certain many people must have decided to not be back after all this, this year.
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Now that’s a tea tapri and restaurant description difference i never knew. How beautiful is the shot of Aalta feet and barrat. Bylanes always take you door by door to different worlds and their stories… You’ve captured every essence beautifully 🙂
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ha ha 🙂 i didn’t even know i was painting a picture you beautifully described.
Bylanes are doors to many a shadows we detest mostly to pass through, and to tell you only this has made me see more, know more; mostly to almost always it has come as a blessing. Hope you are well Richa.
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Your posts portray one thought very clearly. Your lens and pen is not prejudiced. This adjective chains our mind n feet. You not only stepped in those bylanes, were welcomed in those doors and hearts. You’re blessed.🙂🙏
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❤️
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Loved this….
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Thanks dear Westcoastwoman.
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What a beautiful share with such great pictures! I feel like I was there! ❤️ Cindy
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Thanks Cindy, it could be one of your bucket list, to be in one of the Indian Weddings especially in India. Thanks again.
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YOu are most welcome and I do hear this. i need to add it to my list for sure!!!! ❤️🤗
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❤️ great, now only we should pray for the pandemic to rest now, it has worked enough ! Sigh !
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oh aye…. yest indeed!!! praying and sending you a virtual hug. 🙏🤗
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❤️
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Somehow I visualized this beautiful wedding. Amazing! Worth reading!
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Hey, thank you for coming over and for your words Srishty. How did you visualise it, i got curious to know ? Thanks again.
❤️
Nara
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It is just how you described the dairy shop, the Peepal tree, sound of brass bands and drums, and the wedding. Well that’s the beauty of writing.
P.s : Also the Photography!😀
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and beauty of you ❤️ the one observing the observer.
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Indian weddings can be quite a community affair! My debut novel, Under the Tamarind Tree, could not be complete without the joyous celebration of a Hindu wedding 🙂
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Rosa, Lovely to know about your book. Congrats. And moreover to learn about a wedding being internal to it. Makes me curious to have it. I will see. Wonderful ❤️
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Such a beautiful collection of images of an Indian Street wedding, I truly enjoyed it. I happened to attend a wedding on my trip to India, just by accident ( well I don’t really believe in accidents) I might repost that from 4 years ago. Thank you for your share.
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Thank you Cornelia. Yes, in a way there are no accidents, its us who might only see it that way.
But Lovely to know that. Please do post. I will be eager to see how was it like for you.
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Liked how you wandered into it👌👌your curiosity bagged you an experience to never forget
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Yes, it is kind of memorable when also you just join something you are not invited to and hover around as if someone’s hired you for it. I remember of course getting some eyes from the photographers who were actually hired.
anyways dear conniedia, i feel i should take this name than ghosted 🙂
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Hahaha officially introduced not sure how to pronounce any of your names but Tushar seems easiest . Thank you
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That is why Nara is there, it is for you Conneidia ❤
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I enjoyed your account of events, and the photos are so colorful and joyous! Thank you for sharing this post. ❤ All the best! Cheryl
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Thanks Cheryl. Weddings here usually are such affairs, just that we cant hear all that trumpet jazz and noise of the mumbai streets. Thanks. Always a pleasure.
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What a wonderful post!
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Luisa Welcome, Happy to have you after sometime. Thanks.
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My pleasure 👍 💙
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As much dearest Luisa
💙 to you
Narayan
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I love these photos, and perhaps most love how you get out and meet the people ~ putting yourself in the scene. These are the gifts travelers can give, and as you show here in your post receive kindness in return. Brilliant ~
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Thanks Dalo, yes surprises that you earn and rather leaving you exhausted they uplift you for days, and a life to come. Thank you
💙
Narayan
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I was wondering at the crowd 🙂 then read it was an old post. I was relieved 🙂
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ha ha, good you did, else it might have become another prime time news 🙂
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Yes in these days 😁
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
AN EXCITING TIME!!!
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Hey Jonathan, Thanks for this, the second time.
Narayan
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You mean you’re keeping count????? 😀
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ha ha, only after a few more dear Jonathan i will start losing them 🙂 ❤️
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JUST WONDERING…! 😀
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What a beautiful, joyous day. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
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Thank you dear Silver Screenings, lovely to have your words.
Your blog is important. Thanks for this.
Narayan.
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What an amazing day. Thank you for your photos and for sharing your experiences.
Be well.
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Dearest Ali, thanks for your words. I enjoyed this evening, this day of my life, very much and happy i could share it and have you here. It is most lovely. Hope you are doing things happily.
Narayan
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In my previous job at a hospital, we had quite a lot of Indian nurses that came to South Africa to work in the healthcare industry … and they always shared photo’s of their beautiful weddings. This post remind me of their kind hearts 🌼
Your photo’s are pretty amazing and so colourful 😊
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See, how it all connects. How quietly you have been carrying images from one hospital job, visuals of beautiful Indian weddings and your colleague nurses.
Thanks my friend. Once when things get back to some sanity, you must plan for some days and weeks in India, with a priority of dancing at an Indian Wedding.
Narayan
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Yes, I would love to do that 😊
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It is a constant inspiration to me to know their are people with such space in their hearts to invite people who care and whom are interested to share in the small things that light up their lives!
Thank you for sharing this.
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Jaya, thank you for writing. I remember writing to you before. I hope you have been well and doing things happily.
Yes, there are people still carrying that light and warmth. Thanks for writing and lovely to have you here again.
Narayan
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Love this.
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Thanks so much dear lone ranger 🙂
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Wonderful!
Remember bumping into a wedding on the streets of Delhi back in 1985, when I solo-backpacked around the world – what an amazing experience!
Many thanks for stopping by my travel and photography blog – much appreciated.
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wow 1985, and travelling around the world. O my, yes that must have changed your eyes, your feet, mind everything.
Pleasure, that i did. Thanks for coming over too and your words Nilla, is it?
Narayan x
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Hey Narayan,
Yes, 1985 certainly did change everything for me and so glad I took off and just did it at a young age! But, I have to say, that it cemented the travel bug for the rest of my life. 😉
Cheers
Nilla
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It was probably the most intelligent and wisest bug that could have got you.
Happy to hear dearest Nilla
Narayan
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Very true and I don’t mind at all… 😉
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You are so well travelled dear Nilla that it just makes me happy to have you here. Apologies for coming here late.
Just hoping of all hopes that world gets back on track where the fear which surrounds us dissolves.
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Thank you! I’ve been travelling for several decades but still so much more to see… 😉
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Yes, i know it, i see it Nilla. It even reflects in your words, on your site – the abundance and weight of thought that you are carrying. My wishes to you.
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And of course, merry christmas. Hope you and loved ones are well and planning for a good get together by the year end.
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And thanks again Nilla,
Narayan
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You have an awesome blog… I can see your interest. All are beautifully presented. Keep going. Please don’t forget to visit my blog as well.
Happy Blogging 🙂
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Hi. Thank you soo much. Lovely to have you and read these motivating words. I was trying to read about you and get your name right but i couldn’t get through to your blog, as the link would not open. But whenever i will remember and get that light again, i will visit Creative Crafts Do it Yourself 🙂
Thank you
Narayan
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Great post! I always like to travel on the internet, especially these difficult days.
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Hi, lovely to have you and your words Kessler. Welcome here. This is probably the best form of travelling that we could do this year and most horrendously most of next year, as it is going on.
Nevertheless it only makes people like us to get together enjoying and learning from each other’s journeys.
Thank you again, very much.
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You are welcome! I agree!
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Pleasure was mine, it called me to your paintings.
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Beautifully written and photographed. I would love to walk those streets and stop for a chai! Glad to have found your site.
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haha, well yes, for long chai shops on the roadsides have been a special place for me too, to investigate and find all the ongoing info’s while travelling here in India particularly.
I am myself glad to have such conversations, with whom who can incite some more visions and share as much.
Thanks you again Ruth
Nara x
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And yes you have a beautiful blog, it was getting for me to follow it but somehow i managed, and Guatemala, looking forward to receive your journeys, looks one of its kind 🙂
My wishes, see you seen dear Ruth.
Nara x
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