The Thavil by VinothChandar on Flickr.

Cycle by the window by ayashok photography on Flickr.

Life in the Dark! by VinothChandar on Flickr.

As I was slowly passin’ an orphan’s home one day
I stopped there for a moment just to watch the children play
Alone a boy was standin’ and when I asked him why
He turned with eyes that couldn’t see and he began to cry
I’m nobody’s child…. Some people come for children and take them for their own
But they all seem to pass me by and leave me all alone
I know they’d like to take me but when they see I’m blind
They always take some other child and I’m left behind
I’m nobody’s child…

No mother’s arms to hold me or soothe me when I cry
Sometimes it gets so lonely here I wish I could die
I’ll walk the streets of heaven where all the blinds can see
And just like for the other kids there’d be a home for me
No mommy’s kisses and no daddy’s smiles nobody wants me I’m nobody’s child

I’m nobody’s child I’m nobody’s child I’m like a flower just growing wild
There’s no mommy’s kisses and no daddy’s smiles
Nobody wants me I’m nobody’s child

~ Hank Williams, Jr.

Calm & Moody Marina Beach by VinothChandar on Flickr.

~~LoVe nEvEr SToPs~~ by VinothChandar on Flickr.

Approaching GOD - Temple Friday!!! by VinothChandar on Flickr.

Its a culture here in South India to go to temples on fridays. Fridays are considered to be auspicious where most of the people especially the orthodox Tamil ladies do lots of poojas and prayers.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

சல்லிகட்டு - The Bull Taming Sport @ Palamedu, Tamilnadu by VinothChandar on Flickr.

Jallikattu is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era. Although it sounds similar to the Spanish running of the bulls, it is quite different. In Jallikattu, the bull is not killed or harmed and the ‘matadors’ are not supposed to use any weapon. Instead its the matadors are the ones who get killed or harmed. Till last year the matadors used to pull the tails of the bulls or they would jump on the bull as a pack of 5 or 10 to tame it. This way the animals were actually harmed. But the Supreme Court of India changed the rules this year to curb animal torture.

In fact now it can be called as “Bull Ride” because as per the new rules, the matador should hold on to the bull from the entry point to an area about hundred feet away. He will be declared winner if he achieves that. No body should touch the tail and not more than 2 people can try to hold on to the bull.

Jallikattu is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival. The festivals are held from January to July every year. Madurai and its surrounding villages are very famous for this sport.

Loneliness | Explored by VinothChandar on Flickr.

Lonely on the land I walk,
Lonely cross the sea I sail,
Lonely air of beach I stroll –
This lonely life doth take its toll.

Lonely trek of woodland trail,
Lonely mist in haze o’ dawn,
Lonely spies the bird of prey
In lonely circles all astray.

Lonely be the dark of night
When sleep is but a yearning wish,
To dream of sweet companions close,
As wine would pair with diner’s dish.

Lonely do these thoughts me make
That draw my blood of precious life;
Replace with stream of flowing pain
To bless my veins with coursing strife.

Lonely years are now my friends,
Lonely cries bereft of sound,
Lonely tears that cool my face
In lonely life of sullen pace.

~ By Mark R Slaughter

We need to find God… | Celebrating 50,000 Flickr Views by VinothChandar on Flickr.

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls. ~ Mother Teresa

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Tamilnadu. India

Flying Into The Sun by VinothChandar on Flickr.