There are more than 1,000 million = one billion Indians. If they are all as friendly and smiling and eager to be photographed as those we have met here in Tiruvannamalai, then I can very easily understand why people tend to fall in love with this country.
In the area around Shiva's Mountain, there is a high concentration of
spiritual people – in either religious or philosophical ways, or both.

It is a clichee, but it really strikes you: this country is so full of contrasts. First of all, in the colours of the women's saris. But also, this is a country where an absolutely modern mentality meets midival traditions all over the place, overwhelming luxury, surplus and richness meets deep poverty and stinking gutters.


No matter what, it is the friendliness and beauty of the people I've met that colours my first impression more than anything else.

Munjala - who is Jens Valmiki's house maid

You take a look at the flowers...

...and then you realise from where the women get the inspiration for the colour combinations they use in the clothes designs.

Purple, orange, yellow, red...

Temple priest.

Tappy, 13 years old.

At right: Nanjama, Biddu's mother, is 93 years old, has given birth to nine children, and still full of live and humour.

posted by Mik Aidt on Jan 05, 2005, at 08:45