Religious Sites in Dharavi
Dharavi has developed around temples built on land offered by Muslims, mosques built on Koli property and churches that spring up between the two.
Just back from the caves and rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora.
After getting off from the train at VT, we walked down to Fort, past the Hermes and Louboutin windows, to a café for breakfast before taking a taxi home.
At home, I caught up on my weekly dose of the MINT lounge – a weekend newspaper insert – this Saturday’s lounge was – it so happens – “the luxury issue”.
What I saw in the lounge, or even the window dressings at the Hermes or Louboutin flagships felt lame, somewhat dead – after what I saw this weekend at Ajanta & Ellora!
The sensuality, sexuality and style oozing out of those rocks were mind-blowing! Those guys had oomph that isn’t easily found these days. The human form was celebrated, not starved.
Ajanta with its drop-dead frescoes – from some 2500 years ago was like a fashion-sutra in stone – documenting jewellery, accessories, make-up, hairstyles and costumes – while capturing the narratives of the many lives of Buddha.
Ellora had fantastic stone sculptures – entire hills carved into temple complexes and monasteries – created by the human brain with super-advanced visualization techniques that even the most sophisticated present day software cannot duplicate.
It looked like super large format 3D printing that may become possible a few decades from now, except that this was from the 5th-7th century – done entirely by hand.
Being back at my desk on a computer feels quite the anti-climax.
Susmita Mohanty is a Mumbai based spaceship designer and URBZ’s ambassador to the Universe. Click here for more photos of Ajanta & Ellora.