Kutch : a conversation in solitude

Kutch is like a foresaken corner of the world where earth breathes in her own way. Here I would like to share my intimate conversation with the land, ocean and self. It is through images and my reflections.

As usual I was drawn towards Kutch for photography due to it's otherworldy landscapes. This was not my first time nor it will be the last. But the honeymoon period was over . I was much seasoned with the land. I knew the seasons well so planned the trip accordingly.

There was no surprise to me but everything was absorbed in a different way one can say. I was like immersing into the nature, people, culture everything all at a once. The way light was moving. People doing their daily chores in their own rhythm.

Beyond the predatory gaze of a photographer I became their part. It was the advantage of continuous visits and understanding of the culture. The land that seems dry , deserted yet it flows with music, art, food and wind reigns here with full freedom.

The interaction of water, salt , birds and land is unique. It is definately very difficult to live here for generations. Yet there's immense beauty in this remote land. Humans have put their heart , blood and sweat to make life colourful. Way more than the beautiful land of mine. How ?

I am still not over with it. I drive endlessly criss crossing the landscape. To the end of the boundry where it touches the now no more the famous and fabled river SINDHU. Where the Sindi culture still flows in the blood of the people.

The river bed is dry but every sunset and call from the temple, mosque and Gurudwara must be reminding them of their ancestors. Their songs, relatives on the other side of the border. The stories of Sindh are ringing bell in their bedside stories.

Kutch is a colourful fabric woven with variety of tribe, religion and cultures. It is a mosaic that gives it identity of it's own. The society is going with their lives as per the conditions. Tourism is increasing . Big projects are coming. So the prosperity is going to change this place. It will not be like before.

This is the law of the nature. The Harappan civilization that flourished here centuries back was forced to receed with the flood and Rann's salt flats. Now again it will change and may be again after many centuries nature will reclaim everything back from men and women.

What we love and cling to our heart is not forever to remain frozen like that. Life is a river of time. And Kutch is testimony of that.

Words & Images : Yogesh Kardile

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