The Cast.

The people of Kachchh are a diverse lot. Refugees from Sindh during the Partition and the 1971 war, immigrants from Persia to Afghanistan and everything in between and ancient nomadic tribes roaming the deserts fill this vast region with their own, unique colours, customs and traditions. Each village is distinct but the round mud-houses with the thatched roofs and the bold coloured patterns on the walls are the norm. Kachchhi, their language has lost its script but is as vibrant as ever. And the simplicity of life, their warmth and humility is breathtaking.

  * Portraits and proper photos of the dwellings you say? Sure, why not? But not in this place as per habit. Diti has loads here and here.

Kachchh.

The setting is Kachchh. It literally means "something which intermittently becomes wet and dry". It is a large district in the state of Gujarat and a big part of it is the Rann. Marshy salt flats during the dry seasons, a vast wetland during the monsoons. This is practically a desert, a marsh, an island and a huge peninsula at the same time, depending on the season and your point of view.
The purpose is the handicrafts of the local nomadic and artisan communities.
The vehicle is matsya and the company is eclectic. It is hot and alien and it'll take five days.


To be continued.

The Ambassador.

A fine example of Indian car-making and an institution in its own right. Always white, always around. Forever and ever.

My Boulangerie.

Elephants and Maharajas are parading on the walls. A fine lake with a palace on its own island. Laid back cafes and endless veggie thalis. Narrow lanes going up and down and up again and scents to die for. A local juice stall, the Juice Baba, with killer pineapples. An endless veranda to lounge on and a garden with thick shadows inside a palace. Elephants blocking your way until you feed him something. A firm bed and of course your very own boulangerie. Why would one like Udaipur?