
Hema Narayanan
PHOTOGRAPHY
GEOMETRY OF JAIPUR
– A Gate. A Palace. A Fort. A Mahal. A Haveli. A Stepwell. An Observatory. A Temple. A Garden. A Jharokha. A Market. A Skyline.
Step into Jaipur, the Pink City, where every corner whispers the language of geometry. From the imposing Amer Fort, with its sweeping courtyards and ramparts, to the delicate arches and ornate balconies of City Palace and Hawa Mahal, symmetry and proportion shape every frame. Descend the precise stair patterns of Panna Meena ka Kund, gaze at the celestial instruments of Jantar Mantar observatory, or wander the meticulously planned grid streets and bustling bazaars — the city’s blueprint itself becomes art. Be it a temple, garden, gates, or havelis, repeating motifs, jaalis, and terraces reflect a harmony between mathematics and aesthetics. And as you climb to Nahargarh Fort or other hill viewpoints, the city unfolds below like a carefully drawn diagram, pink-hued under the golden sun — a photographer’s paradise where architecture, light, and life converge in perfect rhythm.
A Gate – Jaipur’s seven grand gates (Ajmeri, Sanganeri, Chandpol, etc.) follow perfect Mughal-Rajput symmetry, balancing scale, proportion, and visual rhythm.
A Palace – City Palace showcases geometric harmony, where courtyards, facades, and galleries align in meticulous symmetry.
A Fort – Amer Fort blends topography and design with precise terraced alignment, creating a fortified geometry that flows with the hill’s contours.
A Mahal – Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, showcases intricate geometric patterns in its 953 small windows (jharokhas), designed to create airflow while forming a mesmerizing symmetrical facade.
A Haveli – Courtyards, jaalis, arches, and frescoed walls in havelis like Samode Haveli display mathematical precision in repeating patterns and spatial layout.
A Stepwell – Panna Meena ka Kund is a staircase of symmetry and repetition, where every step and landing follows precise angles.
An Observatory – Jantar Mantar is a stone laboratory of astronomical geometry, where angles, arcs, and shadows measure celestial movement.
A Temple – Birla Mandir demonstrates perfectly balanced domes and columns, reflecting geometric order in sacred architecture.
A Garden – Charbagh-style gardens like Sisodia Rani ka Bagh are laid out on quadrants and axis-based geometry, symbolizing paradise in measured proportions.
A Jharokha – The jaalis and latticework in City Palace follow repeating geometric motifs, combining ventilation with visual rhythm.
A Market – Old bazaars like Johari Bazaar are laid out in a grid system, an early example of urban geometry.
A Skyline Viewpoint – From Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur’s planned streets, squares, and terraces reveal the city’s overall geometric blueprint.
Experience slice of Rajasthan. Experience INDIA.
Mobile’O-graphy Mornings - Walk with your Mobile Phone and Frame like a Pro.
Smartphones today are powerful tools in the hands of a photographer. With impressive sensors, features, and pro-level capabilities, they’re fast becoming the go-to camera — not just out of convenience, but for their quality and versatility.
These are a series of experiential photography walks using just your smartphone camera. The goal is to show you how to create good, well composed images with the device you carry all day. Each walk is theme-based, focusing on specific composition techniques, storytelling, and visual styles.
📱 Why Smartphone Photography?
-
Your phone is always with you — making it perfect for spontaneous photography
-
Many public places restrict DSLR use, but mobile cameras are welcome
-
Today’s smartphones offer superb resolution and creative features
-
People are choosing mobile photography over DSLRs for ease and quality
🗺️ Where will we go?
Each walk takes you to handpicked landmarks and vibrant corners of Bangalore, including:
-
Gardens: Cubbon Park, Lalbagh | Temples: Bhoganandeeshwara, Malleshwara Temple, Bull Temple || Palaces: Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Palace || Markets: Russell Market, Gandhi Bazaar, City Market || Others: Vantage points, festivals, events & street scenes
Approach
-
Half-day photo walk | On-the-feet guidance | Debrief | Image Review
-
Open to smartphone | mobile phone users