Timeless rocks of GRK

Lately, I made an unassuming trip to Great Rann of Kutch to photograph stunning and diverse rock formations and their patterns. These rock formations are not just geological wonders but also artistic masterpieces shaped over millions of years.

Weathered by time, wind, and water, these rocks carry layers of geological history within them but also evoke the sense of an otherworldly landscape. Many of them preserve the fossils of ancient marine creatures, even of dinosaurs in their mysterious beauty.

Remnants
Someone has walked this path before.

I must admit I had my reservations about the prospects of photographing still subject in nature as compared to my regular ones of shooting birds and mammals which gives me many highs and lows, hits and misses.

But Nature had some better plans for me.

I was introduced to Pantheism and many philosophical ways to look at nature and wonder about its working by Mr. Ganesh H. Shanker, who happened to be the reason that I found myself photographing millions of years old geological phenomenon in Kutch.

As the saying goes, “What you seek, you shall find.”

Perhaps I was longing to experience nature’s beauty beyond the company of winged and four-legged creatures.

Mother Daughter Duo?

Finding patterns in nature is a fascinating journey that reveals the intricate designs of the natural world. From the symmetry of flowers to the irregular shapes of rocks, all possibly govern life.

After initial struggle, finding patterns on the rocks became meditative for me. Keenly observing their shapes made me appreciate their abstractness as much as the relatable patterns.

Does this remind you of “The Great Wave” painting by Hokusai?
And this of “The Kiss” painting by Gustav Klimit?
This one definitely reminds me of Murakami’s quote : “I have this strange feeling that I’m not myself anymore. It’s hard to put into words, but I guess it’s like I was fast asleep, and someone came, disassembled me, and hurriedly put me back together again.”

In Nature even destruction sows the seeds of future abundance. These rocks which are primarily sedimentary, formed by centuries of erosion, volcanic activity and the shifting of tectonics plates.

Formations are primarily made of sedimentary rocks, took shape over millions of years by wind and water erosion.

But can they withstand the pressures of unsustainable human development? After the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, the Great Rann of Kutch is now being engulfed by windmills. While wind energy is a form of renewable energy, the unchecked installation of these structures is not only becoming fatal for birds but also causing irreparable damage to the habitat.

These rocks display a stunning array of textures and colours, coming to life in magnificent ways during the golden hours. The play of light and shadow transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, highlighting the nuanced design on the rugged surface.

In closing, I would say that what I gained from this trip goes far beyond the images I returned with. It was a humbling experience to meet Ganesh Sir, Ramesh Sir, Uma Shankar Sir, and Prashanth. The way they graciously shared their knowledge and wisdom was truly uplifting, making me feel like a true CNPian :)). I am filled with deep gratitude.

Sun baked yet happy :))
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9 Comments

  1. You are blessed to experience pristine nature, truly meditative. I can only imagine what an otherworldly experience it must’ve been! And you have captured glimpses of this gorgeous landscape so beautifully…..

  2. Incredible pictures.. resembles as if taken by mars rover … can’t imagine such sites on earth . Thanks for sharing

  3. What an immersive experience this was for me to read this and go through the visualisations. I can imagine how meditative it would have been for you. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Amazing documentation, Beautiful photographs & also the write up’s make us wonder how little we know about our own planet especially our very own country. Great work and best wishes!! Eagerly waiting for the next blog !!

  5. Hey Shailza. ,as always you have done a marvellous job bringing these dead rocks to life.The visuals thru yr lens and description makes us ponder as to what all stories these rock formations have to say over million years..Keep it u

  6. Stunning images and imagery, Shailza! Trust you to find beautiful subjects to click wherever you go! As always, this blog too leaves the reader wanting more!! Keep sharing your work.

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