Let the Camera roll: Tikam Chand & the magic of his Vintage camera.

Each camera, be it vintage or digital, has its own tale to be discovered and told!

Photography has the power to tell stories, inspire generations and bring an enormous change in the World. It creates a vision for the unseen. We can share and view pictures indefinitely across the globe in milliseconds. The digital age has its own perks.

  19^th August is universally pronounced as the ‘World Photography Day’.  Seems surreal right? Even I used to think the same till I met Mr. Tikam Chand and many other observant and marvelous photographers, in our very own Jaipur!

Hawa Mahal is quite a catch for tourists visiting Jaipur. And Outside, you’d definitely find Tikam Chand or his brother along with their era old ‘Huge’ camera coping up with either the scorching sun in summers from 7.30am to 7.00 pm or the biting winters from 9 am to 5.00pm!

Tikam Chand, a man in his late 40’s proudly owns an 1860 Carl Zeiss wooden camera which he has been using for daily duties since past three decades! The camera and its legacy are unbelievable!

 Tikam Chand’s grandfather called, Pahiri Master, was a Royal Photographer for the Maharaja of Jaipur in the 19^th century who treasured this piece of beauty, manufactured in the 1860’s Germany. Since then it has been passed down from generations, which ultimately got conferred on Tikam Chand in 1977. And hence, He decided to preserve the heritage and also created a livelihood out of it by charging Rs. 200 for each Black and White picture.  The strength of a camera which might seem menial is astonishingly enormous!

This camera which is more or less trying to find a place in this digital age of Photo- technology stands on a broken tripod, still not losing its focus, a set of 4×5 Carl Zeiss lens along with a dark room built in it. Though body of the wooden camera is quite worn out, It’s the only piece left of its kind in the World.

Earlier in 1860s, they used to get Gavit Paper for developing the pictures which later gave way to InduPaper. Now they use Noa Lustre, not available in Jaipur which makes it all the more difficult for him to sustain. But his determination takes him to studios in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Ahmadabad and even Chennai to get the paper!  So much for keeping the heritage alive…

 Well, Photography has the audacity to capture memories, those auspicious moments of life we would always cherish!! Photography is an invention which has evolutionalised the way we view the World and its majestic dimensions with flamboyant people in it. We can visit places without even leaving our own porches! And most importantly, we can watch our grandchildren grow up while we are miles apart from them! Photography has led to splendid revolution in our lives! The history of celebration of this day time and again demonstrates the passion towards Photography which undoubtedly is the true foundation of this day. Many of those tiny set of black and white Polaroids can act as a souvenir of our old days and bring along pangs of nostalgia. Embrace each day with zeal and love!

So do not hesitate, Keep calm and let the cameras roll!!

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Related articles

• Let the Camera roll: Tikam Chand & the magic of his Vintage camera. (shoppingbites.wordpress.com)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawa_Mahal
• The Evolution of Photography (coupons.answers.com)

Dad’s day out with Miss Alice!

Hey all you buddies,

So any idea how’s your father doing? It’s been a bit long that you have truly given a thought about the face which always stays with you in every situation, in the ebbs and tides, with the cruel and the fine. Busy pacing the race, we are losing the touch of the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person. It’s simply magical to pour out your heart to someone who keeps his promises and weighs our thoughts, chaff and grain together, while sifting for the worth to stay! So why wait and for what?

With Father’s Day which is almost here try and make the occasion precious, as you take him by surprise and it’s truly an easiest task to surprise our lovely dads!! They are simply awesome! But what would be the best gift and the best surprise? And perhaps a lot of questions must be lingering on, making the plans full of agitation. But you are forgetting something? Miss Alice!

Here I come to your rescue and you can call me your savior as well because I have a lot and lots of ideas regarding the celebration on this ‘Father’s Day’. Thanks to our adorable city.

Jaipur is lively as always when it comes to the mirth of some traditional festivals or even the new ones. So, planning a dinner is not-in-so-much-vogue kind of idea but if your father is blessed with amazing taste buds than dining out will truly make him happy, while the delicious food at Spice Court and Ooper Resto lounge will help you earn some extra points. Take a bet on that! If you are planning up for a home-alone surprise or a special bash in home environs than the cakes from ‘Brown Sugar’ and ice-creams from ‘Baskin Robins’ would add up the awesome factor to the whole idea of celebration!

But what if you’re ‘Daddy the Strongest’ is looking forward for some relaxation? Than a surprise appointment call from ‘Ziva Spa’ would do wonders for him! Rejuvenate and revitalize your resilient ‘Sire’ (while you can impress him with your language skills 🙂 )

Live the day to your ‘Dad’s best’ as you plan for him in a ‘Jaipur way’!

Jubilation and hoopla galore!

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Grafiti Media Pvt. Ltd.

Shopping Bites/ Shoppinglogue

Address:

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Call: 9461094351

 

So, the WOW moment has arrived with MISS ALICE!

The search and story began through the parkotas of Hawa Mahal, gliding to the markets surrounding Chandpole bazaar, bumping into heads and shoulders in Purohit Ji Ka Katala, then driving to the happy hangouts at the Pink Square and the new youth hub- World Trade Park.

Then came the coffee shops and bookstores. We even had some tafri at both Tapri joints. The search for the mascot was getting a bit tedious owing to the summer heat, yet the excitement of finding one kept us going!

Living every day in and out in the lap of Jaipur restores our pride in the city. The city stands tall with a royal heart and trendy sense for fashion, culture and lifestyle.

Rajasthan and its culture.

Fashion and Rajasthan.

But soon enough our team was blessed, on one fine day as a suitable character sketch of the mascot was ready. So, the WOW moment had arrived with MISS ALICE!

Yup! But no offense for all the guys out there as you will agree that the likeness of Jaipur is true with a “She”. Isn’t it? It’s the way “Shopping Bites” celebrates life that Miss Alice perfectly personifies! Life is personified with flicks and flairs with the entry of Miss Alice.

You will be simply amazed with her love for Jaipur! Owing to the same she just can’t resist going to different places and seeking out the specialties which you would truly want to try out. You would take pride in knowing about your very own Jaipur, yet a new found Jaipur! So get ready for the blithe mascot of the magazine- ‘Miss Alice.‘

They say, ‘Shop till you drop’ but we are here with the Miss Alice as she redefines that to ‘Hop at every shop till your heart drops on your favorites!’ She has an eternal love for Jaipur, yodels on the amazing folk and western music and never hesitates in exploring the famous gaalis and old markets in Jaipur. She loves to get glimpses of the city through the streets and chaurahas, while enjoying the city’s glamour. As you travel with her through the pages of “Shopping Bites” & “Shoppinglogue“, you would gather a lot of information and innovative ideas to explore the city with the Yeses and Nos; Do’s and Don’ts while chirping about the joy of shopping!

Nevertheless, our dedicated efforts made us realise that dodging hard work is never an option, when it comes to realizing dream projects. The enthusiastic approach of the magazine  will provide information that will help you in making decisions regarding any purchases from the umpteen choices available in the markets.

And what more, Shopping Bites is all set as a trend on twitter and goes viral on Facebook, as Miss Alice creates the charm all around Jaipur. Shopaholics!! Hash tag the latest trend  on twitter as #Shoppingbites & #Missalice.

Unfold the charisma of Jaipur with Miss Alice being ‘one amongst us’ and very ‘like us’. Get ready and gang up for an extravaganza!

Stay Tuned for more action at:

Facebook– www.facebook.com/pages/Shopping-Bites

 Twitter– twitter.com/Shoppingbites