In A Clear Darkness

"I'd come to Matheran chiefly to think about the nature of loss," Shanghvi writes in this week's Brunch, tracing his life in a small forest town. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

Updated on: Feb 25, 2012 4:26 PM IST

Brunch

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"I'd come to Matheran chiefly to think about the nature of loss," Shanghvi writes in this week's Brunch, tracing his life in a small forest town. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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The verandas are long and cool in Matheran; horses lug folks around as cars are banned here. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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Walks in the forest are the evening's principal activity. 'The hills made me see more with my eyes closed'. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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The main market in Matheran. "It's been ruined by ugly new constructions. We need a stronger municipal office to check illegal constructions.' Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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Kapadia bazaar, hub of local activity. 'I come here to buy vegetables, the newspaper, gather the news of the town.' Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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'Jackets are on use half the year,' says Shanghvi. 'Winters are the demon.' Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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'Cell phones don't always catch reception in Matheran,' he says. 'I come down to the market to make a call to my dad.' Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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Handrickshaws are a form of transport. 'They're cruel, outdated; if design students can provide a replacement to them I'd be happy to help them realize the project.' Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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The distinctively red earth of this small forest town. Matheran inspired Shanghvi's new photography show, Postcards from the Forest, currently on view in Delhi and Bombay. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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'I became a student of literature, which is to say, a student of solitude,' Shanghvi writes in Brunch. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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The dazzling floor of Veranda in the Forest, a Neemrana hotel Shanghvi frequents. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala

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Shanghvi was shot by legendary photographer Sooni Taraporevala for this week's Brunch. Photo Courtesy: Sooni Taraporevala