Rajasthan

Today, by chance, I discovered Robert Leon while I was gallivanting cyberspace. His site contains some vintage photographs from all over the world especially Rajasthan. They are breathtaking. Most of the photographs are those of the inhabitants (ethnic) of that particular region. After all, the people make up the place. The lighting is simply awesome. My personal favourites are the lovely children from Cuba, the Lacandon Mayans and Venice at night. Each photograph is a study in colour.
I lived in Rajasthan for four years. It is a desert state (camels abound) and the rural areas are primarily inhabited by tribal people. Nowhere in India are people more colourful, almost untouched by Western influences. It is a land of extreme temperatures (atleast where I lived)Summer temperatures shoot to 50C+ and sub-zero temperatures are not uncommon during the foggy winters. The raw heat scorches in fury during peak summers. One can hardly step out and yet one can find brown tribals atop camels and sometimes trains playing fiddles and hearty music. I am reminded of a song 'Chaiya Chaiya' from Dil Se. One just needs to replace the hills with the desert and the fog with the sun. So Indian movie scenarios are not entirely fictitious except that you cannot find a city man dancing along with them :) But hark! I am meandering...It does not snow during winters but the region is known for its thick fogs. The language is chiefly Marvari, though the dialects vary from tribe to tribe. This place is known for its ethnic embroidery and pottery. Browsing through Leon's site made me nostalgic, and yearn for those winter mornings...
To the left is a snapshot of Kasooti Embroidery of a Temple on Wheels on a Sari.