Suearmaniac (2024)

05/06/2024

I don't think you're happier if you're thin or beautiful or rich or married. You have to make your own happiness. You do not have to become beautiful elegant swans, but you must become confident ducks and get on with life - 'Calm above the water, and paddling like hell underneath.'

03/06/2024

Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time?" That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.
May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back....

02/06/2024

How do you carry loneliness? I think I carry it the way the ocean carries sand. I let it sink to the bottom of my soul, let it cover everything, good and bad, until all is quiet and still.

31/05/2024

I see you in shades, every warm hue the sky has ever painted the horizon. In shades, when the world around is a backdrop of monochrome. In shades, so bright

30/05/2024

Sometimes your love is too deep

28/05/2024

The sun is setting in a burnt orange sky, the cliffs are black silhouettes, the sea liquid golden..... there can't possibly be anything more beautiful ✨

14/04/2024

On earth there's no heaven, but there're pieces of it 🍀

10/04/2024

When people look at my pictures, I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.

09/04/2024

On this episode of joining the bandwagon on Insta dumping, I bring you a few pictures from the archives of last year.
Christmas eve. Bandra. Boba shakes. A lot of walking and exploring streets, Graffiti, cats and celebrity homes.

08/04/2024

You know what boat rides remind me of? My childhood home. It was surrounded by so much greenery around, a society campus built almost into a forest. I lived on one level above ground and during monsoons, the growth of flora and fauna used to be insane there. So much so that when it was night time and it used to rain cats and dogs, the power fuse would go off. The thunderstorm will begin and with all that lightning showdown into the sky it'd become super scary for someone who'd come to visit us. But I wasn't scared. I was raised there and found beauty in the darkness. When the winds howled and took everything with it, my brother and I will lean on the balcony corner and play Pirates of Carribbean and Titanic, pretending we were on a ship tackling whatever came our way. When the electricity is out there's not much to do anyway, our kiddish minds will conjure up scenarios of us being looted and how we had to save the ship and keep it sailing in the raging sea. It was a show in itself and what would I not do today to recreate that memory. One such crazy weather was what I experienced during Monsoon in Mumbai while I was on a ferry, the high tide and the dark grey skies, the boat rocking insanely on the surface of the sea, the rain drenching us despite the shade because I was on the top deck and all the seats were wet so there was no point sitting and I let myself get rained on and stood at the railing, finding beauty then too, reminiscing childhood memories. As the coastal area cleared out and Mumbai came closer, the weather changed completely and the sun came up and the seagulls flew along to the port. Far away it was still stormy but this was only a reassurance to life, that if we move on, after every storm, the sun will always come up and there'll be light after darkness. Always. ✨

07/04/2024

If there really is something inside you, and if you don't follow it, well, then what will you do?

05/04/2024

I think good street photography is a little like surfing, in that sense that you make yourself available for something to happen. And when it does happen, you have to be ready to ride the wave for as long as you can.

04/04/2024

In a world which bows to Gold and Silver, I've always carried a green love within me. I remember feeling burdened and restless, rushing somewhere to get a task done and I was hit by this sunset right into my face, I was riding into it headfirst and fell in love. My hands pulled those breaks and I turned off the key to my two wheeler, stopping in the middle of the street as I watched the sun go down. It felt so surreal as if nature spoke to me right then, reminding me time was still passing but I didn't need to rush. I closed my eyes in bliss and breathed the forest air. There's always music in the trees but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. Knowing trees, I understood the meaning of patience and when the sky undressed the orange gown and put on a darker shade, it was time to go. But I was going with a lighter heart, felt calmer and more in control of my feelings and how I wanted things to go. Only nature can provide that sort of comfort if we just pause a moment to appreciate it. A God's wonder that I think we must find delight in.

03/04/2024

Sometimes I tend to crawl to Instagram when I feel sad hoping these red buttons will make me feel validated, Not realising all the love that I wish for in the world is actually right in front of me. We can easily get lost in this little online world. But I guess just a reminder to myself that personally, this is not what life means to me. It's a part of it, sure. But we get soaked in so easily. When actually the sky is so blue and the trees look so beautiful and we miss so many mundane pretty little things. I'm a culprit of this too but man look at the sun shining and green love all around. Nature is life 💚

1.) Walking on the streets of South Mumbai 🌳

2.) Found Chip 'N Dale's house in a tree ;) 🐿️

3.) Girgaon chaupati beach view 🏖️

4.) Enjoying the sea breezes from a viewing point 🌊

5.) Guavas on the go with Red chilly powder and some Sunshine 🌞

6.) A divine time spent at Shree Babulnath Temple 🙏

7.) Hanging garden and a shoe house 👟

8.) Strolling down the hill humming to a pleasant evening, eyes oogling at Antilia 💸

9.) Restaurant hopling to for the Bombay vibes 😋

10.) Surrendering to the scrumptious amount of waffle chat and pinwheel missal puff 🧇

10/05/2023

The local trains of Mumbai :

– a daily reminder of the importance of being present in the moment

– a daily exercise in patience and perseverance

– the perfect place to people-watch and ponder life’s big questions

– where you can witness the resilience of the city’s people firsthand

– where strangers become friends, even if only for a brief moment

– a microcosm of the city’s complex social dynamics

– where you can witness the triumphs and struggles of the city’s working class

– a crash course in the city’s culture and history

– the only place where you can experience the chaos and charm of the city all at once

– a lesson in survival and adaptability

The local trains of Mumbai are more than just a mode of transportation – they’re a way of life.

08/05/2023

Sometimes the universe tests you the most when you're close to a new chapter ✨

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Not a dump :

1.) Before sunrise, breathing in the blissful hill air and enjoying the view.

2.) Early morning treks up the hill

3.) Sunrise view and stretch

4.) Yoga sessions

5.) Modern glamping

6.) Kayaking and swimming in the mount lake

7.) Dancing to the live music

8.) Late night outdoor games

9.) Lunar viewing through telescope

10.) Stargazing and lofi music with a lot of swinging

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02/05/2023

"Are you happy?"

"In all honesty? No.
But I'm curious. I'm curious in my sadness and I'm curious in my Joy. I'm everseeking, everfeeling. I'm in awe of the beautiful moments life gives us, and I'm in awe of the difficult ones.
I'm transfixed by grief, by growth. It is all so stunning, so rich, and I will never convince myself that I cannot be somber,
cannot be hurt,
cannot be overjoyed.
I want to feel it all - I don't want to cover it up or numb it.
So no I'm not happy.
I am open.
And I wouldn't have it any other way."

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Thanks for the capture
🫰
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28/04/2023

Little drops of water,
Little drains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the beauteous land.

And the little moments,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.

So our little errors
Lead the soul away,
From the paths of virtue
Into sin to stray.

Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden
Like the heaven above.

13/04/2023

And then somewhere along the shore of a distant Sunset, I tumbled across my soul, and gently Life walked in.....

🍁✨

04/04/2023

Sindhudurg fort in Maharashtra, one among the many forts built by the great Chhatrapati Shivaji, is a fusion of elegance and antiquity. Sindhudurg fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg district in the Konkan region of Maharashtra which is 450 kilometres south of Mumbai. The fort lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan which is accessible by a boat from mainland. The district is named after the fort of Sindhudurg which means 'Fort in the Sea'. Sindhudurg has 37 forts, the highest number of forts in Maharashtra as well as all types of forts Jaldurg ( fort on Sea) , Bhuikot (fort on land) and Giri (fort on hilltop).

Peculiarities of the fort:

This fort has a branched Coconut tree and it provides fruits! You won't get to see a branched Coconut tree anywhere in this world, but here. This is one of a kind in the world and is a major attraction here.

This fort has 3 pretty water reservoirs that do not get dry even during the summer time when rest of the wells in the nearby villages dries up.

The fort has a hidden passage in the temple which looks like a water reservoir. This passage goes under the fort for 3 kilometres and 12 kilometres beneath the sea and from there 12 kilometres in to a nearby village which was used as an evacuation pathway for women once the fort is breached.

07/03/2023

The wind breathes lonely, longing to be seen.
Sometimes, the soul has days like these.

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I'm always interested in knowing the greek symbolisms and mythological stories of the flowers we randomly spot on the sidewalk.

White Spider Lilies are known as 'Naked Ladies' because they bloom on flower stalks with leaves absent. This flower is also known as White September, White hurricane lily and white lycoris. Apart from all the meanings I looked into, it being a sign of unfortunate relationships struck me. According to a mythological story, it was believed that the two Guardians of the leaves and flowers forsake their duties, fell in love, and God became angry at them because of their nonchalant attitude. He separated them, cursed them, and they never met again. And for this reason, the flowers and leaves of this flowering plant never meet. It, therefore, represent a relationship that can never be blessed.

I love this story because out of so much pain of separation, it still blooms and with such fascinating beauty. There's faith and courage in loving even if for a short while.

These white spider lilies represent the positive nature, freshness and simple living life. They require sunlight to partial shade for proper growth and blooms from mid-summer to late autumn with white flowers.
Their Greek meaning is 'membraned beauty', a reference to its filament cup. They are even included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone. They are a sign of protection, so if you wanna let someone know how special they are and want to protect them for as long as you'd like, these unique flowers would be a good choice.

04/03/2023

घर में बेचैनी हो तो नए सफ़र की सोचना
फिर सफ़र नाकाम हो जाए तो घर की सोचना ।
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Ghar mein bechaini ho toh naye safar ki sochna,
Phir safar nakaam hojaye toh ghar ki sochna.

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03/03/2023

"When you are enthusiastic, the mountain also looks like a clay pile."

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02/03/2023

There are dreamers and there are planners. The planners make their dreams come true.

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Here are some snapshots from India's first edition of
It's crazy to think all my other fellows have been posting stuff of the night vibe of the show and performances India has never seen before. I on the other hand have more pictures of the venue which includes a bit of nature here and there rather than the huge party that this event was! I am always drawn to our beautiful nature. It's been more than a month to this but I wanted to look back because I have realized, more than the hustle this event life has, I wanna be able to cherish these fulfilling silences of the early reporting time at the venue, the sun is rising behind the buildings and all you see on the ground is foggy layers, not a person visible around you and it's just amazing to walk in before everyone else and have some morning time to yourself before the work begins. The sunrises and sunsets at the racecourse were stunning and the camera can't compare what the eyes witness ever!

29/12/2022

Imagine all the people you meet in your life. There are so many. They come in like waves, trickling in and out with the tide. Some waves are much bigger and make more of an impact than others. Sometimes the waves bring with them things from deep in the bottom of the sea and they leave those things onto the shore. Imprints against the grains of sand that prove the waves had once been there long after the tide recedes.

To all the people standing by me all of these years and to some I met this year, I thank you for playing your part in my journey 🧿❤️

28/12/2022

More red lights on top of the cars than on roads. Glamorous lifestyle coexisting with some underprivileged lives. Big showrooms on the left, begging kids on the right. Azaan from the mosque blending smoothly with the pleasant sound of temple bells. The modern travel miracle Metro passes by the ancient temples and monuments. Crowded streets coexist with lonely hearts. During sunsets, this city is like the most beautiful girl in the whole world.

Settling into a new city is like getting used to a new pair of shoes. At first they pinch a little, but you like the way they look, so you carry on. The longer you have them, the more comfortable they become. Until one day without realizing it you reach a glorious plateau. Wearing those shoes is like wearing no shoes at all. The more scuffed they get, the more you love them and the more you can't imagine life without them.

27/12/2022

Let Go ....
Let God.

18/09/2022

The tale of two wolves

One evening an old Cherokee man told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority,
lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy,
generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

- a Cherokee and/or Lanape tale.

15/09/2022

"If someone could capture my heart when I look at you, this is exactly how it'd be exploding with fireworks" - Shirley (a character from my upcoming story 'Breeze')

I have been having strong urges to write ✍️ with all the rain and mood but the question is which story to resume? 🙈 I have too much of an unfinished business and every character in my mind screams 'write me' 🤌🥲 forgive me readers, I'll get back to you with new content (if not ongoing) but bear with me for some days (weeks🙊) A sound mind needs to reside in a sound body 🤗 Also thank you for all your wishes and prayers. I am recovering and feeling more like myself and jamming to 'Firework' by Katy Perry as I complete writing my caption. :)

11/09/2022

Being constantly rained on with unwelcomed situations in a completely new city I haven't lived in before that too without friends and family. And yet I only see daylight through the cracks of the lightening because I am surrounded by warmth. Warmth of strangers who'll potentially become unforgettable. I sit in dark with a happy heart of mine which is submerged in its own sun spreading the most beautiful positivity, love and warmth in every vein of mine. (Only that literally my hand veins are all swollen and poppin dark purple because of all the bloody blood tests kitna khoon choos rahe hai yr mera) alright i guess this is how you ruin a well crafted caption 🙈

But I'm so grateful for finding my warmth in this wet world out there.
What describes warmth for you? Do tell me in the comments.

Suearmaniac