Photographer's Note
Adalaj ni Vav or Adalaj Vav is a five-storied beautifully chiseled step well located in a small sleepy village named Adalaj, about 18 km from Gujarat’s main city. Ahmedabad. Adalaj Vav was built in 1499 by Queen Rudabai & is counted amongst the finest architectural structures of Gujarat.
In Gujrati language, step well is called Vav. Adalaj Vav is a classic example of Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The designs on its walls and pillars include, leaves, flowers, birds, fish and other breathtaking ornamental designs. The Vav consists of three sandstone-built entrances, which consist of octagonal landings with huge carved colonnades and intricately carved niches. Some of the pillars and walls show the influence of Buddhists, Jains and Solanki rulers of Gujarat. The carvings on the panels include that of a king sitting on a stool with two bearers, a scene depicting women churning buttermilk, musicians accompanying dancing women, and representations of various Hindu gods and goddesses. Sunlight cannot reach directly into the well, but openings in the ceiling enable light and air to enter inside. This keeps the water inside the well cool even in summer. Visitors can also see Ami Khumbor (a pot that contains the water of life) and Kalp Vriksha (a tree of life) made out of a single stone slab.
In the past, these step wells were frequented by travellers and caravans as stopovers along trade routes.
Legend behind Adalaj Vav
With time, the well has become a memorial of the love of the queen for her husband. One can still see water in the well which is a living example of spirit of the queen. In A D 1499, Dandai Desh (earlier name of Adalaj) was ruled by Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela Dynasty. Mohammed Begda, a Muslim ruler of a neighboring state, invaded Adalaj and killed Rana Veer Singh. Greatly attracted by the beauty of Rana Veer Singh's widow Rani Rudabai, he put forward a marriage proposal. She agreed under a condition that he should complete a five-storeyed step-well for her. King Begda finished the step-well within record time. The next day, after finishing the step-well, Rani Rudabai said her final prayer and jumped into the well and died.
Perspective & Depth - That's what I tried to achieve in this shot...
bukitgolfb301, Bartleby, Gerrit, jhm, Longroute, lacroux, pierrefonds, dip, subhendu_bagchi, josepmarin, jafadabret, kordinator ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile
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papon
(1487) 2010-09-05 0:44
Hi Angshu,
The architectural view of this place looks beautiful with the sun light..good color and well composed shot..
Have a nice day
Regards,
Sunandan.
bukitgolfb301
(54014) 2010-09-05 0:57
Hello my dear Angshuman
Very attractive and imaginative shot.
Perfect framework and well organized composition as usual. Very sharp focus in the detail and nice color / dlight light management. Blessing on your best work and thanks for sharing. Have a good Sunday!
Best regards,
Takero
TopGeo
(38220) 2010-09-05 1:06
Hi Angshu!The composition is clever and spectacular.Lights and shodow with clarity and colours excellent The glance, after stop on the foreground is guided of the effect the depth of details of architecture . I appreciate the management of the exposure and contrasts.
Regards
Georgios
Bartleby
(13552) 2010-09-05 2:09
Hi Angshu,
impressive place! I like the attitude of the two men getting ready to step in the darkness, as if they were a little scared!
Philippe
Gerrit
(62042) 2010-09-05 2:18
Hi Angshu,
Fine light and perspective and a funny human element of thses men who are very cautious to enter here,
regards, Gerrit
jhm
(211736) 2010-09-05 3:48
Hello Angshu,
Perfect framework and well organized composition as usual.
The architectural view of this place looks beautiful with the sun light.
You shows us a very nice architecture picture with pleasant colors.
Very well sharpness and clarity. TFS.
Warmest regards,
John.
Longroute
(19600) 2010-09-05 7:43
A very fit title!
It's curious how those two men were synchronized in their movements and you captured them in a symmetrical pose.
The perspective created by the series of arches in the second floor is intriguing and the image gives the impression to be there ourselves and stepping into this long tunnel. A graphic composition which brings some kind mystery...
TFS,
Donato
eversmile
(11636) 2010-09-05 11:29
Hi Angshu
I almost regret the presence of the men, because the perspective is already very strong, and also because they look too modern! But that's exactly the point of the composition, I think as your title mention something about that. Well found, this title, by the way! And the shock of the anachronism is interesting. But for me; it would work even without anybody, the view is breathtaking. You managed well the light. Congratulations.
Regards
Marine
lacroux
(4562) 2010-09-05 12:17
hello Angshu
A sad love story.
I quite agree with Marine, at first sight anachronism is annoying. But tists love stories are timeless and universal ... then!
Bravo for the title and the construction of the subject.
Regards.
Pierre.
papagolf21
(152607) 2010-09-05 13:37
Bonsoir, mon ami Angshu,
Un grand plaisir de redécouvrir vos photographies. C'est toujours une découverte, un vif intérêt architectural à travers vos photographies.
J'apprécie beaucoup toutes vos photos.
Amitiés.
Philippe
pierrefonds
(114347) 2010-09-05 15:15
Hi Angshuman,
The presence of the persons has an effect of scale. The point of view is allowing me to distinguish the details and colors of the architecture of the Vav. It is also sending my eyes toward the back of the Vav which is giving depth and perspective to the composition. Well done, have a nice day.
Pierre
Graal
(103040) 2010-09-05 23:41
Hi Angshuman,
an interesting historical place, good note and well done photo. I like the perspective, composition and "human accent". Well photowork.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander
dip
(21408) 2010-09-05 23:54
Hi Angshu,
beautiful architectural details and interesting note,
and you've achieved very well to create perspective and depth in the composition,
greetings,
Dimitris.
Fis2
(170639) 2010-09-06 12:41
Witaj Angshu!
Curious place.
Good frame and interesting perspective effect.
I like the light and shadow.
Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof
pajaran
(115779) 2010-09-06 12:48
Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan i lepa stara arhitektura ...
Dobar trenutak snimka, tekst i perspektiva, lepa fotografija.
Ostali su stubovi i uspomene, dobar rad, moje cestitke.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.
Google.
Hello.
Very interesting and beautiful old architecture ...
A good time recording, text, and perspective, beautiful photos.
The others are the poles and memories, good work, my congratulations.
All the best.
Paja.
subhendu_bagchi
(26091) 2010-09-06 15:10
Dear Dada,
very good perspective and you have done really well here with DOF. Excellent clarity and sharpness. Colours are so natural. The presence of those people added a lot to it. Like also the POV which gives us the scope to view it with repeatation of the columns and pillars. Very well done. Khub bhalo chhobi.
Best wishes.
Subhendu
josepmarin
(59385) 2010-09-06 23:43
Namaste Angshuman,
You looked for perspective and depth in this composition, and really you have obtained it.
These two characteristics do a very interesting photo, with good graphism and with an elegant game of light and of shades on this wonderful architecture.
Both men add a good reference and many vitality to the scene.
Very good work, my friend.
Best wishes,
Josep
John_F_Kennedy
(43797) 2010-09-07 3:00
Hello Angshuman,
The monument's shape creates an impressive effect. very nice captured
best wishes,
Achim
jafadabret
(56501) 2010-09-07 4:39
Bonjour Angshu,
J'aime cette perspective dans la composition. L'architecture est remarquable et ta photo la met bien en valeur.
Superbe !
Amicalement
Jacques
kordinator
(8738) 2010-09-07 6:48
Hello Angshuman
Great composition.
The architectural view of this place looks beautiful with the sun light.
Great angle.
Very well sharpness and clarity.
Perfect framed.
Nice written note.
Great job.
Regards
Sa[a
jaywalker
(16105) 2010-09-07 10:23
Hi Angshuman, A nicely composed photo with quite contrasting light, I like the symmetry & the wonderful architecture, great shot & TFS, kind regards Wilson.
npecanhuk
(79329) 2010-09-08 20:19
Hi Angshuman!
Very interesting place!
Very attractive picture!
You did an excellent photo job here and the visual results are so beautiful!
TFS - congrats!
Best regards,
Neyvan
batalay
(41261) 2010-09-11 7:39
Hello Mr. B,
The high contrast and mostly monochromatic image is very effective to present the lacework carving. The presence of the two men is a useful device to integrate human presence, but a little less symmetry, perhaps with just one of the two men would, I believe, make the image more compelling. Ultimately, it becomes subjective, however. Wonderful note,
Warm regards and enjoy Sunday,
Bulent
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Angshuman Chatterjee (Angshu)
(56760)
- Genre: Luoghi
- Medium: Colore
- Date Taken: 2009-12-31
- Categories: Architettura
- Camera: Canon 400D (Digital Rebel XTi), Canon 18 - 55mm / f 3.5 - 5.6, RAW
- Esposizione: f/7.1, 1/200 secondi
- More Photo Info: view
- Versione Foto: Versione Originale
- Diario di viaggio: Gujarat : Lesser Known Wonders
- Tema(i): Steps to Water: Ancient Indian Step Wells & Tanks [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2010-09-05 0:34