India amazes. You learn to expect the unexpected. To wit, the cluster of empty birdcages hanging in an alcove in the opulent City Palace in Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. Seemed a little out of place alongside the beautiful paintings, textiles, glass, and tile. Construction of the gigantic palace, or more accurately, a series of connected palaces, was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh and continued for over 400 years by his successor Maharanas. The ruling family lived a lavish lifestyle but were bedeviled by wars with the other princely states of Rajasthan. This all ended in 1947 when India gained its independence. All 22 princely states gave up all of their powers and holdings to become part of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
As for the bird cages, apparently one of the royals fancied an aviary of sorts.
A bit of trivia: The James Bond movie Octopussy was filmed in Udaipur, with scenes shot in City Palace as well as nearby Lake Palace and Monsoon Palace.
Indah Susanti
9 May 2014beautifully captured!
fotograffer
9 May 2014Thank you Indah.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
9 May 2014it seems as if the more we learn about the older cultures, the more they mystify and amaze us.
fotograffer
9 May 2014Like peeling away the layers of an onion. The more I learn of India the more questions I have. Thanks for stopping by Lisa. How are things with you?
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
9 May 2014hi from quito! staying in a little hostal, i was awake for most of the night as i waded through the inbox and replied to some of the comments, etc. this morning (after a fast ‘nap’ i’m reading posts.. nice to see what i’ve been missing!) i will be in tourist/artist mode in quito today, w/friends tonight, then to mindo tomorrow for the next five or six days. of course in mindo i’ll be offline again.
it’s nice to be in the city, though after a few days of noise and air pollution, i’m ready to get back to nature!
thanks! z
fotograffer
12 May 2014Be safe.
Marianne
9 May 2014Gorgeous!
fotograffer
12 May 2014Thank you Marianne.
lynnsarda
9 May 2014So very interesting…..
fotograffer
12 May 2014Thanks Lynn.
Journey Photographic
9 May 2014This is a beautiful shot – both mysterious and slightly haunting…
fotograffer
12 May 2014Certainly not expected and somewhat out of place, but made for an interesting photo. Thanks for your comment.
The Wanderlust Gene
9 May 2014So romantic! 🙂
fotograffer
12 May 2014I thought some of the cages had a Victorian feel. Thanks Meredith.
catbirdinamerica
3 Jun 2014Beautiful still life, Ron. I always love bird cages! I was in Udaipur in March 2011, so this brings back memories. 🙂
fotograffer
5 Jun 2014Where else in Rajasthan? Did you like it?
catbirdinamerica
11 Jun 2014I was in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, & Udaipur. I did a “camel safari!” Yes, I liked it a lot. But my photos are nothing compared to yours. 🙂
eBirdCagesForSale
9 Jun 2014Great contrast, love the theme too!
fotograffer
10 Jun 2014Thank you and thanks for visiting