There is nothing quite that can beat Mumbai Monsoons. The darkening of the skies, the cool breeze, the smell of earth – and this entire feeling of the city being washed clean.

Yes. Traffic is a pain. the roads disintegrate. Idiot drivers splash you with water, rickshawallas refuse passengers – but the next time it pours it is almost as though all is forgiven. I suppose that part of the reason why there is so much ‘romance’ associated with the Mumbai monsoons is the number of songs in Hindi films based around the city and its rains ..

This monsoon I clicked quite a few pictures of the city and the rains. many are experimental and it was fun to throw away the rule book and shoot something that looks different.

This was just below the Andheri flyover. I was waiting, for ever, to turn left. The roads ahead, on the right, are blocked by the ongoing construction work for the metro. Anil Ambani is not a popular man in the suburbs. The project has over run. Roads right next to the construction are damaged. Earth movers, cement mixers and other construction vehicles access the construction areas all through the day – adding to traffic woes.

It was pouring heavily when this picture was snapped. i kind of liked the effect of shooting through a windscreen which was allowing water to follow. The refractions of light made it interesting.

the aftermath of a downpour – little droplets of rain on a leaf. My little window garden has begun to grow. (fingers crossed). A dying mint plant has revived in the rain, and the chilli plant has given the first chilli of this monsoon.

Bhoot – can almost hear the haunted (not haunting) music from Mahal in the backdrop. That is a shot of the lights from the car behind reflected in the side view mirror. The window is frosted. the mirror is wet. And, I am both the driver and the photographer … i think i need to have this entire series called stuck in traffic 😀

The Mumbai Traffic Cops. Heroes. Been of their feet for ever. Through sunshine & rain. Through bomb blasts and processions. It is a thankless job. The MMRDA,and the BMC have failed as usual – the traffic cops have kept the traffic moving… I wonder who does anything for improving their morale…And, how do you improve the morale of a poorly staffed, badly paid policeforce.

That could be me – a lifetime ago. I had a similar pink rain coat – that I refused to wear. Much preferred carrying umbrellas. used to have these huge spats with my grandmother (nani)about the dreaded raincoat … i now wear one … the umbrella is not good enough 😀

I loved these entire set of pictures … can’t explain why – it is the shot through the window of my car. Yes I was the driver & the photographer. yes. I was stuck in traffic … and yes that is the 35 mm prime.

And, finally – shot through the windscreen of a rick.

 

I wasn’t driving. But, I was still stuck in traffic ..
Obviously, where I wasn’t stuck in traffic I didn’t take pictures 😀