Another day, another destination. This week it was Kerala — the famed land of meeshas (moustaches) and mundus (man skirts). I’d been persuaded to participate in a travel photo shoot for Mahindra. Me moonlighting as a model does happen from time to time. Modeling has never been a career I’ve felt inspired to activity pursue though. It’s something to do with me having more appreciation for my brains than my beauty!
The setting was the peaceful and picturesque Vembanad House, enviably located right on the banks of Vembanad Lake near Alleppey.
The photographer was R Prasanna, a very talented self taught guy from Chennai, who’s worked in the industry for over seven years. Only six months after completing his MBA, he abandoned corporate life to pursue his passion for photography. I greatly admire him for this, as it’s not easy to go against the pervasive pressure of society’s expectations in India.
I anticipated some relaxation time, as the shoot was scheduled for only two out of the three days I would be there. However, as soon as I arrived, the photographer pounced. He then proceeded, in his relentless quest for good lighting, to set the pace for the next few days. We worked until it was dark at night, then dragged ourselves out of bed at 5 a.m. to catch the first light of the day.
The photographer also coerced me into more poses in more locations than necessary. My appreciation for his creativity and pursuit of perfection saw me giving into most of his requests. Not to mention, he had the ability to make me look incredibly good. He also had a great sense of humour and constantly made me laugh.
I spent much more time than I would’ve liked in a wet and dirty canoe, dodged the monsoon rain, and bared the stench of fish and hoards of onlookers in a local market. I even milked a cow (something I’m familiar with after growing up in the country). But, I drew the line in being covered in oil for a mock ayurvedic treatment.
There was lots of fun in between. We got to cruise around in a traditional style Kerala houseboat, and were fed an endless supply of delicious Kerala cuisine. I also got to dress up in a sari. Life is grand! (Although I’m exhausted).
Here are some photos from the trip.
Misty monsoon morning.
Night fishing.
Early morning cooking by the lake.
Fresh lobster lunch.
Everyone move out of the way! Surrounded by mundu wearing men.
Relaxing on a house boat.
Kerala style house boat, cruising the lake.
Paddy fields.
Such a beautiful sari.
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wow! How exciting and you look beautiful! Would love to see more of the pics he took of you…
Sharell, I plan on spending a small fortune on Benedryl …or maybe a Guinness or 5 during my 7.5 hour layover in Frankfort.
Cathy, yes I think the new plan is awesome.
Ramit…Delhi is now first stop after Mumbai.
Ewwww….Guinness. I don’t trust drinks that aren’t transparent!
Stunning sari, amazing colour. Love the houseboat too!
Ur personal blog seems as popular as ur professional one!! great!
Cool writing! I agree wid Prasanna – u r a supermodel
Ramit–I have heard all the good things about Kerela
Re: Health care workers, its funny you mention that cause my MIL was trained as a nurse and my FIL is a doctor. Ofcourse he wanted all his sons to become doctors, with only one actually doing it!
I forgot to mention that I knew a guy from Delhi who had a total dislike for South Indians…I think it mostly had to do with skin colour (being fair meant he was better). He btw was an educated guy who lived in the UK. For stereotypes and dislikes I think Tamilian’s have it the worst…I only ever hear bad things about Tamil’s!!! So if anything there is South Indians hating other South Indians! Go figure.
I’ll regress but it would be interesting to hear Sharell’s view on race, skin colour and the North vs South debate.
All your’s Sharell…
Lucky you! I don’t drink!
It’s amazin that an ethnic Indian costume like a Sari can look so beautiful on a foreigner!
I know! Some saris look quite ridiculous on foreigners (or should I say that some foreigners look quite ridiculous in saris).
Gosh, I have to wear one soon…i am so scared Im going to be one of those ridiculous looking ones.
Can I be jealous of you Sharell? lol 
Hi Sharell,
The photos are amazing and you look beautiful.
Keep up with your writing. I wish I could write as you do. You almost inspired me to visit Kerala!
Wow, thanks so much Ajay!
Wow how exotic and wonderful!!
all u guys talking abt north/south , must read latest book by chetan bhagat “TWO STATES THE STORYOF MY MARRIAGE”
Oh, a friend of mine read that book and really enjoyed it! I’m eager to read it too. Thanks for the tip!
The pics are beautiful and your entries a pleasure to read but I hate to say this – your husband has just married you for an Australian citizenship. Indian men or rather Asian men don’t just ‘fall in love’ with Caucasian women. It’s just the love for the citizenship of a western country. With that comes the bonus of being the man who gets to (well, you know) a white woman, every night. Do you how know much your husbands’ friend might be envying him? Simply check around with women who have been and still are being ‘used’ in this way. Or even simply, try preventing your husband from obtaining an Australian citizenship on the basis of his marriage to you. You will see, if not immediately, in a couple of years. Take care.
Hi Iris, glad you like the pics. So sorry that you feel so negative about the marriage though. While the situation that you mention does occur, it doesn’t happen all the time. It depends greatly on the type of guy and where you meet him. I have no concern at all that my husband is after my Australian citizenship. I’m the one who’s had to try and convince him that it might be nice to live in Australia one day, and the reality is that we many never permanently live here. We’re content with our lives in India, and my husband has a successful career there. He doesn’t want to give that up to move to Australia, and have to start over. I know my husband’s good friends pretty well and they’re happy for him that he’s found someone compatible, more than anything. They also have successful careers, and some are even internationally recogised, so a white girl is nothing to get excited about. My husband comes from a good family, and everyone has successful careers or owns their own businesses, so they have enough money. Obviously, this is a different scenario to, for example, a guy from a poor family who’s working in a beach shack in Goa and dreams of a better life elsewhere.
Wow!Kerela is just so beautiful!Lukin at da pics,I feel lyk goin der ryt now! No wonder dat its known as ‘GOD’s own country’!U luk nice in da getup of a Malyali girl,wot wid da saree & gajra!
Yeah she does look good in the pink sari. And yeah Kerala is a beautiful place indeed.
Lovely photos! I especially liked the classy way you responded to that crass and very personal post by Iris. In fact, I’ve been through most of your blog and think you’re doing a great job, being calm, matter-of-fact and never losing it,in addition to being humorous and entertaining.
Thanks so much Austin.
It definitely is a challenge sometimes!!
@ Iris
“It’s just the love for the citizenship of a western country. With that comes the bonus of being the man who gets to (well, you know) a white woman, every night. Do you how know much your husbands’ friend might be envying him?”
———————————————————————————————-
Here I found one Brother/Sister for Kil.
Citizenship of a western country can be attained even without marrying a white lady and even without marrying anyone.Dont you know????
And having a white lady for every night is you Idea of extreme priviledge.??
But I think “different” white woman for every night is better option and there is no dearth of availability in India also.Come to Pahadganj area of Delhi and you can get White Woman travelers from Europe , South America and Russia , who can well spend a night for something like 1000-5000 Rs.
Why should one marry a white woman to sleep with her??
You are disgusting.A person atleast in India marries someone either for family obligations or out of love.For sex and citizenship part , Indias have many options….
Take care of your self !!!
Gotta love the south Indian landscape. Awesome, isn’t it? Loved the “early morning cooking by the lake” (I confess, I’m a foodie
).
And yes, you do look very nice and graceful in the Sari.
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