Admin 1 : Raju Thokal

Raju Thokal, Feeling Great in Sahyadri and Its Natural Richness.

I grew up on Sahyadri very close to the highest point of Maharashtra, Kalasubai. It is a gorgeous part of the Ahmednagar District, especially in Rainy Season.

There are lots of special places on the Sahyadri, but there are certain places I return to again and again for their beauty and tranquility. Places I enjoy every single time. One of those places are RatanGad, Harishchandra Fort,  VishramGad Fort, Bhandardara Dam, Kalasubai, Amruteshwar Temple, Kunjar Fort, Bhairav Fort, Randha Fall, Ghatghar, Pravara Rivar, Adhala River and many more.

I can’t even count how many times I have been here. Dozens. I remember photographing here only once before, and it was with my first SLR camera, a Fujifilm and a ridiculously heavy tripod. That was over just FEW years ago. I don’t know what ever happened to those photos, perhaps I never developed them, but I suspect that the memory of the heavy tripod is why I never returned with a camera until this year ! Whenever I am with Shivspandan Yuva and Gadwaat Friends, Its the source of energy to wander in these rocky places.

So for all intents and purposes, these are thousands of  photos from  my favourite places on the Sahyadri;  But I dont remember about my first one.

Harishchandra Gad, Malshej Ghat are  easily accessible for me for Gods sake that I have my passion and destination in Sahyadri. You can wander right up to the top of the mauntains where there is a nice dreamy land, Natural Landscape. From there, maintained trails with Great passion and arrogance lead you from the top to the saesore area and back again with plenty of opportunities for photography.

I made most of  photos with my Nikon D 3000 and nothing more than a tripod. Just simple long walk give me an opportunity to click and click continuously.

If you are interested wandering in Forts with your passion of  photography, I would suggest to join Gadwat Facebook Parivar (www.gadwat.in)

You can also join us at www.debuji.blogspot.com , which is our platform to reach at the top of TRIBAL Development with thoughts of Saint Gadge Maharaj.

I discovered in the experiences that I had over SAHYADRI and its surroundings, various social network needs to walk together in fulfilling the DREAMS of Tribal Upliftment. Apparently I am in contact with AYUSH ! Adivasi Yuva Shakti (www.adiyuva.in) and some people don’t understand why anyone likes them at all. This is very good platform for TRIBAL people, especially youngsters. Its a way by Sachin Satavi to raise a united voice of Adivasi Citizens for their rights.

I guess everyone sees things differently, but to me, this is what I see.  When I see a fast exposure for the development of the world, it doesn’t seem natural with the TRIBAL'S of India because it’s impossible to actually see it that way. If we have a social eyesight in lap of Sahyadri, then you will get confronted with the STRUGGLE of ADIVASI people.

Of course, I’m not one to say that have to be natural or even demonstrate what the eye sees. That’s what my passion is  thirsty for. Photography is an art and as an artist, you are free to do whatever you want. But as a human I must present the actual picture of these Tribals and their culture. Because this is my origin and my honour.

So that’s why I like to Click at rural areas. Because that’s what I like. 

Raju  Thokal
माझी संस्कृती...सह्यभ्रमंती !!!
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