Announcements and Celebrations
Published on 16/06/2023
Comments 78

3rd Road To Nara Anniversary and An Announcement

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On 15th June 2020, right in the middle of the biggest lockdown India saw; that morning I was walking on an empty street finding a fruit vendor instead ended up meeting an old man sitting alone in a park. It was a time of not doing anything. May be living was the best doing we were doing. As I heard him intently talking about all the people he met in life, I thought to myself- share now Nara. I had always been writing but in diaries or for money. Three years ago on this day something changed. Some minute thing when I decided to start ‘Road to Nara’- this blog and strangely this period of my life has been the best of Mango times- ethereally sweet yet with just a hint of tanginess.

With years behind me as a Teacher, a Travel Journalist and a practicing Yogi; Road to Nara came at a time when I still remembered my past- thanks to the Image memory in me while times were forcing me to look towards the future.

Road to Nara has slowly become my bank where I am kind of putting more effort than I am in my actual bank. It has been a station that has given me joy, it has given me you all; hope and a sense of creating Ideas that has only taught me about my own subtle nature, my decision making abilities.

You, my esteemed co-travellers, my readers, friends might have enjoyed this station while you carry on with your tough journeys with me. I hope to have made a little difference, just a little detours to the most beautiful parts of yourselves. Here, I certainly have earned some soul-filling mates, and a few caring and sharing friends that I have most part of my life lacked being a Quite Quiet person that I am.

Road to Nara has proved to me that I can manage to put words together. And I have found myself digging, enjoying, meditating on words, even more than I did with as a Photo and a Cinematographer. Writing here for last three years, also for the first time allowed me to explore that Yoga void i had and how, I have gone deeper and even desire to take up teaching it.

This station of my current work life, this blog has been a mirror just like you all have been to me and certainly I have been to some. I am grateful, not yet teary-eyed but just so very happy that a mere decision, some at least have the power to literally change the permanent mood of your heart. 

           

But Three years is a strong time. To learn, experiment, assess, move, change, look back or I will rather look up. Just like we do to friendships- mirrors to your soul. And hence I will appreciate if you my co-travellers, readers has any advice for me? Any suggestion? Reaction? Question or a remark that you might have ever felt while coming here, reading this blog, any memory because it is only your words now that will help me grow this blog where you think it should reach, where I feel it should- to make it a better platform for sharing ideas.





ANOUNCEMENT



Today as Road to Nara turns 3; I wanted to take this opportunity to share that ‘Road to Nara’ blog would soon have a YouTube channel of its own.



WHY?



For me at least, it was a long time coming. My co-travellers here who have been following my work, know how integral images have been to this blog. Having spent majority of my living years now with making images for Social organisations, agencies, national dailies and later as a cinematographer- I have loved being on the field observing and making a meaning out of life that keeps unfolding in front or within me. And perhaps it’s high time to have a YouTube presence for connecting with you all more closely and with a wide spectrum of people out there in a multi-dimensional way.

There is so much more to an audio-visual presentation than there is to anything other if one talks about art and media. And it feels inevitable to me to not put in extra hours to share my love for history, culture, river conservation and communities in a manner that is best suited to ongoing times as these also are transitioning times.

People who are consuming visual media are insanely outnumbering the people who are reading today. Be it children, adults or even the elderly around me, around us are glued to their mobile phones like a phenomena- their personal cinema-news-information set; It’s an ever-increasing possibility out there. And Even though I believe writing is by far and will always be a superior and intimate medium of expression to human anatomy that even I am most comfortable with but in my experience as a writer of ‘Road to Nara’- it needs to reach the readership that it deserves through in more open way out of wordpress. Looking forward, It is important for me now that If I have to sustain myself and people around me doing what I love most- ‘Road to Nara’ needs a platform which is wildly open and gives me more tools to play around and express with.

I am looking forward to how this phase will unfold. I will clear out my backlog and see if I can launch the channel anywhere around Indian Independence Day in mid-August.


There are some other thoughts brewing in relation to Delhi/NCR and India based bloggers but I will keep it for some other time to talk about.



I hope you keep enjoying Road to Nara; and I would like to request if anyone of you want to suggest, advice, share your opinion, critic or review, have any question or even want to see anything on the blog or the upcoming channel, please share in the comments. It will be of immense value to me.


Cover Image : Your NARA : On one sunny, very cold morning while living in Dal, Kashmir


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Thank you


If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste


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I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly;

As a co-traveller, will take you through the Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.

Also read: 9 Most Read Stories from Road To Nara in 2022



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You might also like to know about My Little School Project. 

If you wish to come over for a visit someday, that you must, you will be heartily welcome here


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If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please feel free to write to me at narayankaudinya@gmail.com

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Unknown's avatar

Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

78 Comments

  1. swadharma9's avatar
    swadharma9 says

    you asked for feedback.🙏🏼 one time you posted about stories: how they have a kind of life of their own & want to be heard. you told a brief example of a man who refused the calling of his story that wanted to be told, with sad consequences. i too have seen this kind of life emerging to be seen & heard. i would like to hear & know more about these events & out-workings. i would like to hear more examples of this kind of sentient interaction, please🙏🏼🕉️🙏🏼

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you for taking time and sending this important text. I remember that article very well and somewhere I feel that I touched something in that week of writing that post. I see you are deepening your practice and I will try my sincerest best that whatever I do, it brings you closer to yourself as that i what I seek too.

      Pleasure knowing 🙏🏼

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • swadharma9's avatar
        swadharma9 says

        thanks for the informative reply. i could “feel/sense” that depth & power to the post about the need of the teaching stories to be heard. i do indeed believe that you “touched something” quite powerful in that sharing. it reached through you to me as well, in a helpful way. 🙏🏼thank you🙏🏼❤️

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  3. Yetismith's avatar
    Yetismith says

    This is exciting news! I very much look forward to your YouTube presentation. You are right, of course in saying that it is buy far the most popular medium for communication. I have never been a good speaker and prefer the written word, but I shall be looking out for your new venture. Good luck with it!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      I prefer the written word to dear Caro, but I am believing that experimenting a new way to say things will only support in opening newer reaches and ways to come closer to readers who can also becomes listeners 🙂

      Thank you Caro.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Ashley's avatar
    Ashley says

    Your Road to Nara has had so many fascinating and thought provoking words that it is difficult to recall particular articles, however, your stories events, meetings, people, are always amazing! The impact you have had on my life, so many miles away, has been energising. You have helped me to open and broaden my perspectives (I’m currently reading the Bhagavad Gita translated by Eknath Easwaran; I’ve been meditating daily; & many other changes sparked by your posts). I look forward to meeting you on another journey ☸🙏☸

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Whoa, I’m honoured you’d say that. Thanks, Ashley.

      To have taken these steps is remarkable Ashley. I will do my best to continue it on this journey as much. Thank you

      Like

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you dearest Richa, you are my go to friend and have my own responsibilities I am stuck with to make children like Logno beautiful adults. I will do my best for all you imagine as much ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Martha Kennedy's avatar
    Martha Kennedy says

    About a year ago, you commented on my “about” page, “Lovely to read your about. Sincere and filled with love for the mountains and walking. Thanks for sharing Martha, as much i would have loved that you had also come to the Himalayas to walk.” I read that and thought, “This guy gets me.”

    I would also have liked to walk in the Himalaya, it was a dream when I was younger, but now I know it’s all the Himalaya, if that makes any sense.

    I enjoyreading your blog, and I was worried when I didn’t “find” you in my reader. I think your Youtube idea is good, especially from the visual perspective. I don’t watch many videos (I have no aural learning ability) but I will watch yours. Maybe then I will “walk in the Himalaya.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Martha, very kind and loving of you. Of course you are a whole nature person and your love for it showed in your writings. Thank you for the kind words, and I bet for the Himalayas, you are going to see as if you live there. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. gabychops's avatar
    gabychops says

    Firstly, congratulations on 3 years of writing Road to Nara!
    Your blog, Narayan, is one of the most interesting because of the diversity of ideas, and topics, and the fascinating presentation. I learned from you about
    Indian village culture, religious customs, rituals, and my love of the Himalayas
    came from your extraordinary description of the beauty, spirituality, and uniqueness of the mountains like no other in the world.
    When you wrote about India’s greats such as Mahatma Gandhi, the way you create the vision of people and the places connected with them, stays in memory forever.
    Your writing is special as it is a result of God-given talent, and as such should be used to the full, whether in a book form or on the many social platforms.
    One important point here to consider; although many people are addicted to their mobiles and social media outlets, many more are preferring books, just think of J.K. Rowling and her many books that created an empire of success for her and for her now very wealthy publisher. There are some books never out of print, and the demand for them is as great now as it was before the invention of social media platforms.
    As to your new venture of having your own YouTube channel – congratulations are in order! No doubt, it will be a great success, and bring you a bigger platform to inform, educate and inspire. Thank you for your wonderful, professional photography!
    Best wishes, and thank you for the blog.

    Joanna

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you dearest Joanna. If you have felt I am leaving writing or writing here, it can never be so, at least until i die. This blog gave me voice and some one like you who I adore and admire.

      i agree there is no replacement for good writing and I know I am most comfortable with it too. With Youtube its like only expanding a business that was confined to one region and trust me dear Joanna, it will not bind me, in fact I will express more, share more and hopefully start constructing more.

      Thank you

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  10. KK's avatar
    KK says

    Congratulations! Happy blogiversary, Narayan ji! Wish you all the best for your new channel, which will be a great success, I’m sure.
    As regards suggestions, I’m of the considered view that there are so many things in India that are not known to the outside world. With the knowledge and experience you have, you can easily bring out such interesting facts for YouTube channel as well. My best wishes 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. gary j's avatar
    gary j says

    Dearest Bro! Namaste. You are correct about (peoples want/ability) to read, be engaged with the soul of words. You are correct to develop your voice/words/cinematography/Road to Nara onto a platform better suited to modern eyes and ears. The soul of you is great and most needed in the world, not only for what you give it, but also for what it will give to you my friend. Peace and love to you always. greetings from oz! Sis 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Namaste my dearest sis, your words made me realise such an important aspect- Yes, its not only me, its also the world likewise and what it can surprise me with. I carry your love and peace/Shanti deep within me. Love. Bro !!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Mick Canning's avatar
    Mick Canning says

    As soon as I saw the picture I thought that must be a shikara on Lake Dal!

    Well done on the three years blogging, Narayan. Advice? Keep going. More of the same! You have lots of followers, lots of likes, and lots of comments. That suggests you’re doing it well.

    Looking forward to seeing what your YouTube adventure is like.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Diti Sen's avatar
    Diti Sen says

    Congratulations Narayan, keep walking your path. Your posts go where others don’t, especially the ones on your treks in the Himalaya regions. So keep walking! Good luck with your utube channel, I’m sure it’ll do very well. Moving visuals have their own charm, looking forward to seeing your videos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. thelongview's avatar
    thelongview says

    Happy anniversary, Narayan! It’s been fun reading your blog, and I look forward to more of the same, as well as the YouTube channel. I can’t think of any advice to give you because your blog is so uniquely you! I think that’s the great thing about blogging – we can all just be ourselves and share whatever interests us – regardless of whether we have an audience or not. “Dance like no one’s watching”… Keep doing what you do, and more!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Harini, thank you. I have always enjoyed your company. And these uplifting words strengthens my resolve to expand- i will always dance like no body’s watching. Thanks much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Krishna's avatar
    Krishna says

    Congratulations dear Narayan 😊❤️. Best wishes for your YouTube channel. Looking forward to enjoy your beautiful contents through YouTube.

    Like

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  18. cbholganza's avatar
    cbholganza says

    Thanks for the many wonderful memories and wise counsel you have so graciously shared through your stories, Nara. I look forward to seeing your YouTube project. That is something I have been wishing for myself. You truly inspire me.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Aah Charly, thank you for this acknowledgement. Yes, i have been pursuing this thought for sometime and would like to see myself how it comes together.

      Will share with you and would like to know about yours too when you are ready! Are you planning it anytime soon?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • cbholganza's avatar
        cbholganza says

        fist, i have to study how to do it. you know what they say about old folks, that they’re never gadget-savvy. hmmm, how to make this idiot-proof…

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        • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
          Narayan Kaudinya says

          🙂 I think charly, just sit in front of the camera and start talking about your experiences. One day at a time 🙂 find out how to post and there you go !!!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  20. Alison and Don's avatar
    Alison and Don says

    As I’m sure you know Narayan, I enjoy your blog very much – your soul shines through, and I also have a special connection to India. I will continue to follow the blog, and look forward to your adventures on YouTube.
    Alison

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  21. arv!'s avatar
    arv! says

    Congrats! That’s a great way forward as video content is becoming more popular. All the best!

    Like

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  22. Cindy Georgakas's avatar
    Cindy Georgakas says

    Your words are always heartfelt and mark words on our hearts and your images speak for themselves Nara! Enjoy YouTube.. i’ll look forward to reading you! 💞

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  23. Crystal's avatar
    Crystal Byers says

    Dear Narayan, you have made much more than a little difference. The color, humanity, and artistry speak to my heart time and again. Congratulations on 3 years to Nara! And best wishes on your upcoming journey! I’ll be watching.

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  25. Lakshmi Bhat's avatar
    Lakshmi Bhat says

    Each of your posts give me a glimpse of life so different from mine. Thankyou and please keep writing and posting. Thank you.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      You must bless me heartily then for if I must. I will try Lakshmi Ji. Thank you for your filled with blessings words 🙂 🙏🏻

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  26. Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com's avatar
    Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com says

    I love that you are feeling a calling to bring more to your audiences and to connect closer with many. You really have a lovely way of sharing human spirit. Looking forward for what is to come! 💗🙏🏼

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