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TBI Photo Essay: Kuldhara – The Deserted Enigma

Today, join us as we explore a mysterious ruins, and try to unravel the baffling secret that led people living for five centuries in 82 villages to just pack up and leave overnight! Enter the world of the unknown at Kuldhara in Rajasthan. Shrouded in enigma and surrounded by myths, this is a place that lights up the darkest recesses of our imagination!

March 14, 2013 / 1 Comment / Read More

TBI Specials: The Welcome Shores Of Nargol – A History Of The Parsi Community In India

February 14, 2013 3 Comments

The Parsis may be a small community in terms of numbers, and it would have been quite easy for them to become invisible in this vast country of ours, but their accomplishments and sense of philanthropy has made them stand out. Here’s a look at how they landed in India, and managed to flourish while creating a deep respect and adoration in the hearts of Indians. Gangadharan Menon has interacted with his several Parsi friends and traveled to their historically important sites to recreate their history in words and photographs.

TBI Travel: Kerala – The Waterways Less Traveled

January 4, 2013 1 Comment

The backwaters in Kerala are much more than a tourist attraction. They are also the lifeline of people in the region – their only means of connection with the outside world, and with each other! While admiring their beauty, Gangadharan is privy to the important role they play in people’s lives, while getting a chance [...]

TBI Art & Culture: The Warlis – The painting is on the wall

November 21, 2012 1 Comment

Warli Art is a lot more than those stick figures you see in art stores these days. Gangadharan Menon takes us on a rich voyage of discovery where he unearths the history, meaning and evolution of Warli Art. And he does this in the most interesting way possible – by meeting and studying the Warli [...]

TBI Photo Essay: Idar – God’s Own Art Gallery

October 18, 2012 No Comment

At a time, when beautiful Natural Rock Formations around the country are being pulverised by greedy quarry owners, particularly in Andhra where they were once abundant, here is a story from Gujarat. Here, the Natural Rock Formations protect the villagers, and the villagers in turn protect the Rocks that protect them!

TBI Wildlife: In Search Of The King At Agumbe

September 10, 2012 No Comment

A beautiful rainforest set in the Western Ghats, Agumbe is home to some of the most beautiful species on the planet. Besides many exotic varieties of plants, animals, insects, butterflies, reptiles and birds, one can also find oneself, on a lucky day, face to face with the King Cobra!

TBI Wildlife: Bondla Sanctuary In Goa – A Bird Watcher’s Paradise

August 6, 2012 No Comment

There is a lot more to Goa than the sun and sand, discovers Gangadharan Menon on a recent visit there. Not only did he meet with a large diversity of flora and fauna, he also met a forest ranger who impressed him with his knowledge about the various species and his dedication towards conserving them. [...]

The Land of The Bishnois – Where Conservation Of Wildlife Is A Religion!

July 3, 2012 1 Comment

Travel with Gangadharan Menon to Rajasthan and meet with a people who have nurtured and protected the living species found around them for over five centuries, and who have successfully deterred, chased and also apprehended several poachers – including famous ones! There’s probably only one religion in the world that’s founded solely on the principle [...]

TBI Travel: Purushwadi – Living the Tribal Life

June 6, 2012 No Comment

Gangadharan Menon visits Purushwadi, a tribal village in Maharashtra, and discovers its many paradoxes while celebrating Holi with them. Experience with him the joys of living a tribal village life, largely untouched by external influences, but where sadly things are changing as well, in a place governed by a female deity and yet called “Purush”wadi! [...]

The Jackals of Kala Dungar – Where A Community Has Kept Them Alive With Vegetarian Food

May 16, 2012 No Comment

The story of the jackals of Kala Dungar is a unique story of man-animal coexistence because in the arid and unforgiving landscape of Kachchh, here’s a case of jackals (who are known to be carnivorous) who have been taught to survive on vegetarian food by a community of people over many, many generations! This practice [...]