Archived Trails

"As one explores and studies temple ruins one sees the remains of exquisite art & architecture which takes me beyond the realm of the omnipresent. A whole new world opens up, observation leads to inferences and then comes a stage of fascination, a window into a world of ancient ruins, the techniques, the labour intensive projects in difficult terrains like Hampi, Kumbalgarh and many more.the thought process of the artisans then, would all this be possible without the wealthy patrons, i doubt. What was the passion or for a better word the ‘junoon’ behind it one wonders that no amount of demolition and destruction caused by invaders managed to fade away the glory of these magnificent temples. These structures create ripples across space and time.

Architecture has been a passion since childhood, that combined with the zeal to study history has brought me to a stage in life where being an artist has made me rethink about temple architecture in a whole new light, added to this a study of Jain scriptures and script is probably fuelling the hunger to study and learn more about these structures, ruins I wouldn’t call them as they speak volumes and give an insight about a civilisation that is shining bright like a star for more than 10,000 years. A glimpse into the spiritual world leaving behind all that is materialistic and focuses on the minimalistic way of life. Yet saying that, there has been no dearth in the opulence of these temple structures.

In the following edits you will find a number of photographs taken by me on these artistic explorations of temples and the remains, of faithfuls still visiting, anything that I find is bringing the essence of the place in a better light.

Then come the candid street photographs, since the time I worked on ‘Shukrawari Bazaar’, Friday Flea market, I have started observing the people in context to the places, objects that placed unknowingly form an outstanding composition of still life,
thus finding art in day to day life."

— Prachi Shah