Till Death Do us Part, a photo from Delhi, North

Photographer's Note

The Qutb complex is an array of monuments and buildings at Mehrauli in Delhi, the most famous of which is the Qutub Minar .

Also located in the complex is the Tomb Of Iltutmish, northwest to the Iron Pillar. Iltutmish died in 1236, but had his tomb built a year earlier in 1235. This is a landmark in Indo- Islamic architecture.

Unlike his predecessors, Iltutmish abstained from using the material obtained from the demolition of temples. However, the arches and semi-domes of the tomb were built in the indigenous architectural style. The tomb chamber has a red sand stone cenotaph in its centre.

Originally, this cenotaph was covered by a dome, which fell only to be replaced by Feroze Shah Tughluq. However, even the second dome could not survive long and only squinches can be seen now.

The tomb has plain and stark exteriors but interiors are lavishly ornamented with geometrical and arabesque patterns in Saracenic tradition along with the ancient Hindu motifs such as wheel, bell-and-chain, tassel, lotus and diamond. It was these carvings that led Fergusson to remark that this tomb is 'one of the richest examples of Hindu art applied to Muhammadan purposes'.

I took this shot trying to frame the couple being photographed by their friend (obviously keeping myself out of view) ironically with the white marble tombstone. ;-) (Hence the Title....)

Notice the rich work on the walls,..... all inscriptions from the Holy Quran, I’m told. Because of these details I had to really compress the shot to bring to 200 Kb size.

sevy, yquem46, emka, Longroute, besnard, pajaran, bukitgolfb301, subhendu_bagchi, dip, josepmarin, Leconte, ciakgiak, emjleclercq, Waylim, Graal, jafadabret, Bluejeans, siolaw, kordinator, rrdaniels heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

TopGeo (38220) 2010-05-04 1:25

Hi Angshu! A simple detail other gave a fullstop composition with the decorations the grave and the architecture But also the pair gave life and more charm in the scene
regards
Georgios

sevy (58) 2010-05-04 1:26

Hello Angshu,

Nice composition and point of view. The people provide the scale and also a piece of color (even if there are already plenty ;-)
I am a bit wondering about how they are, like being taken in photo, but without them the photo would have not been the same.

Yves.

yquem46 (38752) 2010-05-04 1:32

Namaskar Angshu
Nice POV and contrast between the the white tomb and the pink detailed lace-like monument behind with its beautiful curves
Not that often that we see an indian couple so tenderly close
have a nice day
best
Patrick

emka (157280) 2010-05-04 1:41

Hi Angshu, Great composition - with this title and note. The couple in love is essential here although the tomb is the main subject. Fantastic example of the Indian architecture. Beautiful inscriptions and geometri patterns patterns on the walls. Can you read it? Amazing contrast of colours. I was in this complex of Qutub Minar but somehow missed this place. There was a lot to see there. Splendiid photo. Regards

Malgorzata

Longroute (19600) 2010-05-04 2:01

It's incredible how many lovely details are in this photo and in so a small room. The walls and arches of the tomb are a feast for the eye and I like how you framed them in two coupled together. The tomb itself stands out well thanks to its white colour and the couple is just in the right position inside the small arch and at the left of the tomb: everything fits well!
Really a wise, fine and interesting composition. Technically perfect and very expressive.
Well done,
Donato

besnard (59196) 2010-05-04 2:17

Bonjour Angshuman
Un cliché d'une grande netteté, une architecture remarquable et des couleurs qui captent le regard.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

coco (30439) 2010-05-04 2:22

Hi again Angshuman.

Good architecture and very interesting composition and place. THe light and exposure are great too.

Regards.

pajaran (115047) 2010-05-04 2:50

Pozdrav.
Dobar uvodni tekst i jos jedno saznanje ...
Dobar motiv, rad starih majstora u kamenu, lepa fotografija, svidja mi se vas rad, cestitam vam.
Lepo je ovo videti, Paja.

Google.

Hello.
A good introductory text and another to know ...
Good theme, the work of old masters in stone, beautiful photos, I like your work, I congratulate you.
It's nice to see this, Paja.

tusharkmandal (3173) 2010-05-04 3:20

Hi Angshuman,

Nice composition. And very good details. Nice to see the pair in the background. I love the colors and exposure management.
I have got a same picture in my galley with a slight change in POV but in black and white.

Regards
Tushar

sabermonajati (11537) 2010-05-04 3:28

hi
here has nice datail.amazing place you shot.
regard
saber

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2010-05-04 4:02

Hi my dear Prof. Angshuman

So wonderful and amazing shot!!!
Your great work makes me remind the gretaness of India everytime. Perfect considered composition/ framework and sharp/clear description in the detail. Vivid color tone and sharp contrast is quite attractive and marvelous. Couple is a good accent too.
Congratulation on your supper job!
Thanks for sharing and have a good day!
Best regards,
Takero

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2010-05-04 12:12

Dear Dada,
excellent framing of this razor sharp image with a nice point of view. Like the couple at background and the naming of this shot. Very good detailing of the wall. An outstanding composition. I am keeping it with my favorites.
Khubi sundor chhobi.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

holmertz (102096) 2010-05-04 12:13

Hello Angshuman,
Again an excellent composition. The tender couple are colourful but most of all they are perfectly placed in a niche near the corner of the composition and near the sarcophagus. You have captured very well the beautiful ornaments of the sarcophagus and the walls and the light is superb.
This is truly a very good photo with a well chosen title.
Thanks for sharing,
Gert

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2010-05-04 12:51

Youve stolen a beautiful moment here Angshuman, the vertical wide end filling almost all of the facade..its more of arabic calligraphy than standard text that makes it more rich...even behind the man..inside the smallest arch..i can read the arabic letters..my arabic is a bit scratch now, over ten years been off it..(quite shameful)

nevertheless bro, always a pleasure to see old delhi through your lenses

sayeed

pauloog (11751) 2010-05-04 13:35

Hello Angshuman,
The symbolism and romantism maybe a little too present in this photo, but that makes it also humorous. Beautiful remnants of what once must have been an impressive place, with fine colour contrasts between the white tomb and the reddish walls.
Regards,
Paul

Fis2 (169877) 2010-05-04 13:42

Witaj Angshu!
A very interesting architecture.
Excellent details.
Good frame and curious colours.
The persons add savor of photo.
Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

ManuMay (36447) 2010-05-04 21:21

Namaste Angshu!

A very fine capture, detailed, and capturing a nice moment and intimate for the couple... Very good point of view and very good play of light and colours, also textures has been well captured...Great work!

Have a nice day...

Manu

dip (21408) 2010-05-04 22:20

Hi Angshu,
great architectural details!
well framed,very good also the inclusion of the couple,
tfs,
greetings,
Dimitris.

jasmis (58653) 2010-05-04 22:35

Important message sent. Amazing idea, superb photo.
Regards my dear friend.

josepmarin (59385) 2010-05-05 1:16

Namaste Angshuman,
The decoration on the red walls of this cenotaph is spectacular, very rich and elegant, and the tomb of white marble creates a very agreeable chromatic contrast.
A good idea on to include in your framing a couple who poses for their friend, it gives a funny touch to the scene.
A good work, very well complemented with an excellent informative note, as usual.
Best regards, my friend.
Josep

nilotpal_patra (1688) 2010-05-05 8:54

Namaskar Anshuman,
Beautiful Picture of this amazing place. Excellent colour and contrast. Nice Sharpness. Nice POV.
TFS.
Regards.
Nilotpal Patra.

ciakgiak (30) 2010-05-05 11:16

Hello dear Angshuman,
The decorations on the red walls and their details are really splendid, the white tomb created a magnificent contrast with the pink color of the wall.
The human presence on the left give a sense of life and movement to the scene.
A good work with excellent informative note and a perfect quality.
Best regards, my friend.
Giorgio

emjleclercq (15778) 2010-05-05 13:37

A bi-colored funeral momument: white and red. Excellent details on the carvings again.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Waylim (25436) 2010-05-05 18:14

Hi Angshu,
You did great to preserve all the intricate details of the carving and art work on the walls. Beautiful composition, even though it is a little heavy on the bottom because of the tombstone, but the couple adds so much live as well as cheerfulness and bright colors to the composition. I really like it very much. My complements.
Way

Graal (103040) 2010-05-05 23:24

Hi Angshuman,
unusual tomb, place and architecture. Good details, well photojob. I like the composition with the couple down. An interesting informations.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

jafadabret (56501) 2010-05-06 10:21

Bonjour Angshu,
On ne peut qu'admirer cette belle photo qui présente une architecture d'une grande beauté. J'aime le graphisme et les couleurs.
Amicalement
Jacques

Gerrit (62042) 2010-05-07 11:09

Hi Angshu,
wonderful composition with the couple perfectly placed in the corner,
Magnificent decorations.
Regards, Gerrit

mkamionka (73532) 2010-05-07 13:31

Hi Angshuman,
very attractive composition: the interior is so beautiful and elaborate. I like the contrast between the white and red stone. Including the couple was a great idea and so was the title.
Very well done,
M

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-05-09 14:17

Ola Angshuman ,
Beleza o interior deste templo com este túmulo , os detalhes são fantástico um belo trabalho de arte, bom uso da foto na vertical , boa inclusão do casal , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

siolaw (38294) 2010-05-10 22:43

Hi Angshu,
A good title fitting the scene perfectly! And a well timed capture too with available light well managed. I like how you framed it up to the arches...
Greetings
Laurent

rajiv_077 (1412) 2010-05-18 23:39

Hi Angshu Ji

Great shot, nice composition and good couple pose there. White tomb and red wall/stone looks very good, nice sharpness there . Good shot overall.

regards

rajiv

kordinator (8738) 2010-11-30 1:20

Hello Angshuman
Beautiful an array of monuments.
Good POV with lots of details.
Amaying colors and texures.
The light makes whole ambience vary elegant.
Excellent composition and presentation.
Great job.
Regards
Saša

rrdaniels (148) 2011-03-24 17:49

It is interesting to note that the various religious traditions symbols are kept alive through the architecture and especially the graves. We seem to be going through a period of intolerance now, it is very refreshing to see the inclusiveness expressed in the preservation of the sacred sites you've shown us in India.

Thanks for your notes.
Bob