Karam's View Span

Makindu Sikh Temple – Kenya – East Africa

karamvisuals — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:30:17 +0000

Makindu Sikh temple signifies Sikh presence in Kenya for more than hundred years. This temple was built by Sikhs at an important railway junction, when the British took them to Kenya to build the railways from Mombassa to Nairobi. This project came to be known as the lunatic express, it took six years to build about 300 miles. During those years, many died from the man eaters of Tsavo. This Sikh temple has become an important stop for all travellers on the highway from Nairob/Mombasa/Nairobi- All travellers visit the temple irrespective of their race and race. The temple serves langar( food donated and prepared by volunteers) – African staff working in the kitchens wear turbans. Food is served 24/7 around the clock.

In December 2008, I spent two nights at the temple to soak in the spiritual atmosphere and enjoy the serenity of the environment. The temple also grows their own vegetables which are used in the Kitchens.

During my stay, I took many photographs of the temple and left all my photographs on managers hard disk with instructions to distribute these free to all visitors.

Photographs of the temple are my link below – Either double click on the link or copy and paste in your browser.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2203569688489.135907.1224753348&saved#!/media/set/?set=a.2203569688489.135907.1224753348

Tagged: Kenya, Makindu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Sikh, Sikh Gurudwara, Sikh Temple, Sikhism

Nagar Kirtan2011 – Southall – West london

karamvisuals — Sun, 01 May 2011 22:07:36 +0000

1699 marked a momentous moment for the Sikhs, hitherto a pacifist religion created an identity for the followers. On that day Sikhs were baptised and given a title to suffix their names with Singh. Annually, Sikhs in Southall celebrate this day. The holy book placed on a specially constructed vehicle accompanied by hymn singers parade in the town followed by devotees.

It is an occasion marked by carnival like atmosphere – all main roads have food and non-alcoholic drink stalls dispensing free food and drinks. These stalls are manned by volunteers. Food and drinks are donated by Businesses and various Sikh temples. It is thoroughly enjoyable day enjoying various types of snacks prepared on the roadside.

Enjoy virtual tour of Nagar Kirtan 2011 – See photos at :

Vaisakhi 2011

Tagged: Nagar Kirtan, Sikh Religion, Sikhs, Singh, Southall, Vaisakhi

Gay Pride festival 2008 Manchester

karamvisuals — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:13:11 +0000

This is an annual event in Manchester UK and attracts large crowd. The organisers state, ” Pride events have been taking place in Manchester for 19 years and the current Manchester Pride organisation is in its seventh year of organising the festival.

The main goal of Manchester Pride is to raise money for a variety of LGBT organisations and groups within Greater Manchester.
I am proud to present my photograph album of Pride 2008.
Click on the link below to see my album
Pride events have been taking place in Manchester for 19 years and the current Manchester Pride organisation is in its seventh year of organising the festival.

The main goal of Manchester Pride is to raise money for a variety of LGBT organisations and groups within Greater Manchester and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Pride events have been taking place in Manchester for 19 years and the current Manchester Pride organisation is in its seventh year of organising the festival.

The main goal of Manchester Pride is to raise money for a variety of LGBT organisations and groups within Greater Manchester and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Click on the link below or copy and past it in your browser to view to album.

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLanding.action?c=1kzev9bah.1c2zgf70p&x=0&y=-7a0xn0&localeid=en_GB

Dance pe Chance – Concert at Belgrade Theatre Coventry

karamvisuals — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:44:36 +0000

Belgrade Theatre was the venue of Genre-8 concert – fourteen different dance acts brought together for one show. The young Asian Brits talent remains unsurpassed. This album is a preview – there are several photos that are in duplicate. The reason being that I always take two shots of the subject – usually they close eyes for the first flash shot. Second and subsequent multiple shots catches the natural look. The album will be edited shortly. All the photos are in sequence of dance acts as they unfolded to rapturous applause all night.

To access the virtual show click on the link below:

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLanding.action?c=1kzev9bah.2o8601izt&x=0&y=qwgf2a&localeid=en_GB

Tagged: Asian songs, Belgrade Theatre, bollywood, Concert, Coventry, Genre-8, Ravi Sandhu

Drupti -Vaja

karamvisuals — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:19:16 +0000

Rising young asian singing sensation of UK. I had the pleasure of seeing her in action on stage at Belgrade Theatre Coventry recently. Her performance was electric – very much in tune for the needs of the audiance, bubbly and energetic Drupti soon had clapping in rythem to her song tune. The applause was deafening. I had a gut feeling that we were witnessing the rise of a new home grown asian girl who will make it big time in the world of Bollywood showbusiness.

Check her in action - photo album at:

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLanding.action?c=1kzev9bah.1evxofm21&x=0&y=-r554oo&localeid=en_GB

Karam Bharij

View of African/ European Earth from 38,000 feet

karamvisuals — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:21:13 +0000

On Dec 14th I travelled from London Heathrow – to Nairobi – Kenya and returned on 4th January. I had a window seat on both flights. Both flights were day flights. The flight time is 9 hours – most of the time, I sat looking out of the window seeing the earths topography unfold below me. I was flying at 38,000 feet above sea level, ten thousand feet higher then the tallest mountain in the world. Outward and inward bound, I witnessed spectacular sunrise and sunset. I sat taking photographs and put these together in this album. To view my album click on the link below- At my photo album site simply click on View Slide Show. Enjoy – feed back will be appreciated.
If you can’t see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=1kzev9bah.1lbefy34p&x=0&y=-x31up0&localeid=en_GB

Nanaksar Gurudwara – Brookside Nairobi Kenya

karamvisuals — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:49:36 +0000

Nanaksar Gurudwara based in Brookside area of Nairobi is unique architect design. Its design is based on a Khanda. No dome to give it a mogul features. But excellent design. The building is very functional, with car park, dinning hall, diwan hall and libraries. All floors are linked by staircase and lifts. Well worth a visit if you happen to go to Nairobi.

click here to see it in a web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=1kzev9bah.kdkatr6x&x=0&y=-zh0rgo&localeid=en_GB

Church built by Italian prisoners of world war-2 in Kenya

karamvisuals — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:09:57 +0000

Italian prisoners were interned in the Rift Valley in Kenya during the second world war. They were not only made to build a road in this treacherous environment but the powers to be were compassionate and allowed them to build a small catholic church. This church has survived test of times, seen the colonials leave, changes of regimes in Kenya and people of all faiths call at this little church to pay homage to the prisoners who built the magnificent road in the Rift Valley.

Have a look at the photos of this church on myonline album at:

Thank you for sharing your KODAK Gallery album!
Here is a copy of the email that was sent with the album.
Subject: Church at Rift Valley
If you can’t see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=1kzev9bah.1w8ck7n55&x=0&y=8swoep&localeid=en_GB

Tagged: Italian prisoners, Italian Prisoners of War, POW, Rift Valley, Rift Valley Church, World War, WWII

A day in the Basti

karamvisuals — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:35:58 +0000

Basti is a neighbourhood dwelling of the poor downtrodden in Punjab – mainstream call them dalits. I was determined to get to know the local people instead of just savouring tourist delights, enjoying site seeing and retiring to sumptious food in plush sorroundings of five star hotels.

This neighbourhood was in Kapurthala – former princely state in Punjab. I arranged to spend a day in the basti. The basti consists of Sikhs, hindus and Bihari itenerant migrants living together in ramshakle mud houses and tin roofs. I found them to be very hospitable, friendly and big hearted people.

Click on the link below to see my on line album – on site just click on view album

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=1kzev9bah.3ixbpm9h5&x=0&y=7f2qk1&localeid=en_GB

Rajastan Paintings

karamvisuals — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:53:23 +0000

Rajasatan is the most colourful state in India. Its people wear vibrant colourful clothing. Art is unique in Rajastan. Most of these photos were taken of artists creations on walls, hotel lobbies and paintings on display by street vendors. I had to pay a price to take photographs! Click on the link below to feast on Rajstani paintings.

click here to see it in a web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=1kzev9bah.1827ygm49&x=0&y=3x5liq&localeid=en_GB

Tagged: art, India, Indian Art, Rajastan, Rajastan Paintings