Why this blog is called "Gallimaufry".

gal-uh-MAW-free\, noun.

Originally meaning "a hash of various kinds of meats," "gallimaufry" comes from French galimafrée; in Old French, from the word galer, "to rejoice, to make merry"; in old English: gala + mafrer: "to eat much," and from Medieval Dutch maffelen: "to open one's mouth wide."

It's also a dish made by hashing up odds and ends of food; a heterogeneous mixture; a hodge-podge; a ragout; a confused jumble; a ridiculous medley; a promiscuous (!) assemblage of persons.

Those of you who know me, will, I’m sure, understand how well some of these phrases (barring the "promiscuous" bit!) fit me.

More importantly, this blog is an ode to my love for Shimla. I hope to show you this little town through my eyes. If you don't see too many people in it, forgive me, because I'm a little chary of turning this into a human zoo.

Stop by for a spell, look at my pictures, ask me questions about Shimla, if you wish. I shall try and answer them as best as I can. Let's be friends for a while....

19 July 2007

Still life with flowers and fruit.


A still life is a work of art depicting inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either man-made or natural. The props ans settings are supposed to disguise a wealth of symbolism.

Famous examples of still life: Van Gogh's "sunflowers", Cezanne's "Still Life with Fruit Basket", Picasso's "Still Life with Chair Caning" and as Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans".

I'm in good company, I think, even if miles behind the masters.

18 July 2007

A moment with Tathagata

A yellow flower
(Light and spirit)
Sings by itself
For nobody.
A golden spirit
(Light and emptiness)
Sings without a word
By itself.

"Buddhi ke baal" ("Old woman's hair")


is what we used to call this candy-floss thing way back. It was sweet and sticky. It was lots of bright pink sugar wrapped around a little stick - altogether too enjoyable or words. Found a chap selling it outside State Bank at the foot of the Mall.
The simple pleasures of life....

5 July 2007

"Apple le! Santre le lo! Litchi, aloo-bukhare, ahdoo, aam le lo, ji!"

Take (some) apples! Take (some) ornages! Take (some) litchis, plums, apricots (or) mangoes, sir!"
So calls out, Aleem, my favourite fruit-seller. He stocks apples, oranges, plums, apricots, cherries, mangoes, litchis, pomegranates.... A shy lad of 16, he refuses to be photographed & instead asks that I focus on his wares!



A visit to this little stall in Lower Bazaar is a treat not just for the tongue, but also for the eyes and the nose!

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