THE RICKETY GATE by Neha Bisht / Oil on canvas / Impressionism
There are only two towns named Lansdowne in the world. And both are in UK . ๐
The original and the older Lansdowne is in United Kingdom (UK).
The other Lansdowne is in UttaraKhand (UK) , India.
My bungalow in the Himalayan Foothills is in Lansdowne, India. The painting above is of the old rickety wooden gate of my Bungalow, nestled in the Oak and Pine forest.
Lansdowne in India was established by the Britishers as an Army Cantonment. Today it is the Headquarters of the Garhwal Regiment.
The army has maintained the place beautifully, with all its colonial charm and architecture.
Nature is benevolent. The snow capped Himalayas form a beautiful parallel white line along with the town.
Oak, Pine , Spruce and Fig form the main tree cover of Lansdowne.
I will write about the town in my subsequent posts.
Today I introduce my bungalow and the unique story of the bungalows of Lansdowne, India to you.
My bungalow is a 300 year old British Bungalow, still standing tall. It even has a rose vine growing for past 300 years, planted by the British. And it still flowers :)
Most of the British Bungalows belong to the army now. However, 10 to 12 bungalows are with private owners. This is my uncleโs bungalow. And we lived here for almost 7 odd years. My doggie babies were born here.
But work made us move to Delhi permanently.
In the year 2016 we relocated to Delhi. This bungalow is a beautiful space in my soul and I miss it so much. A lot of my art inspiration comes from here.
We do go their sometimes. But not too frequently now.
The bungalows of Lansdowne, UK, India, have a unique history.
There was absolutely NO conflict in this peaceful hill town, between Britishers and Locals.
The British were very much loved and revered. The British brought amenities and facilities of post and telegraph, roads, education, bakery :) etc to this region. There was much love and respect between the locals and the British.
However, when conflicts in the rest of India began and the British were recalled to England, the British officers from Lansdowne too left for their homeland.
They did not want to go, but had no choice. Hence they handed their bungalows in safekeeping to their local friends and caretakers. Thinking that they will return someday. But they never could.
It is interesting that the bungalows are still known by the name of their original residents.
Our Bungalow is Maxwell Bungalow, named after Colonel Maxwell . Our neighbours were Simkin Bungalow.
And there are many sweet ghost stories in the air, that float in Lansdowne, in the memory of the British residents of these beautiful bungalows.
Colonel Simkin often visits his Simkin Bungalow. Hence a tiny window pane in the dining room of Simkin Bungalow can never be repaired ! ๐
Lady Taylor is sometimes seen at night near the church, outside the Taylor Bungalow asking people, as to when is her gown going to be delivered. She might appear from nowhere and ask you the question if you are around, late at night :)
;) ๐
And then there is the headless ghost, that comes and slaps the sentries who are found sleeping on duty, at night ๐๐
And now some photographs of my home in Lansdowne :)
My Garden that I love...
The Backyard hidden in the Oak and Pine Forest
The home, covered in the first snow...
The 300 year old Rickety Wooden Gate that we never changed. It adds to the charm. And it is very much a part of the Bungalow's history and soul :). I have painted this gate often ... :)
My tribute to the The Rickety Gate ...
THE RICKETY GATE / Oil on Canvas / Impressionism
Ah ! how many cups of coffee I have drunk, looking at this gate.
How many times I saw the sun set behind these Oak trees.
How many time I saw my doggie babies come running down these slopes.
It's memory is a treasure that enriches my soul.
Painting by Neha Bisht @nehab .
I present the greenery of Lansdowne, UttaraKhand, India , for Thursday Green Colorchallenge :)
Thank you for viewing and reading :)
Thank you so much for your appreciation :)
Thank you @s4s for your support and appreciation :)
You are always awesome dear ! Enjoyed your post !!
Thank you... And your words always fill me with confidence. I am happy that you like it ๐
You are welcome ! Glad you back with beautiful reply ! ๐
:) :)
That is an amazing work you made . You live at very beautiful and peaceful place I really like it. Thanks for sharing @nehab.
Thank you, @mihail.tsvetkov . Yes it is a beautiful place. For 7 years we spent our autumn, winter and spring there . Only for summer were in Delhi. But now we are more in Delhi ๐
Great post!
Thanks to @ecoinstant, this article has been resteemed and featured in today's edition of The Daily Sneak.
Thank you for your efforts to create quality content!
thank you @sneakyninja , @ecoinstant and for your appreciation and support. I am truly honoured :)
Followed you, @sneakyninja ... thank you for the appreciation and the resteem :)
Beautiful painting and the photographs . I envy you because you live in such a beautiful place surrounded by stunning nature, you are one with nature. It is no wonder that you are an artist, it is not possible not to be an artist living in there. The story about British residents who lived there made my hair to stand on end. I love the places with history and you are lucky to have this at your doorstep. Thanks for sharing
Yes..The feel of history is awesome in this place. I love it. For 7 years it was at my doorstep. But now it is a little far. .. We live in Delhi now :) ... thank you so much for your appreciation . @stef1
Wow that's a lovely story about the wonderful history of your bungalow. Definitely nostalgic!
Yes... It is definitely full of nostalgia. A different world . A different time dimension exists in Lansdowne ๐๐... Thank you so much for your appreciation, @jznsamuel ๐
WOW! bungalow 300 years .. looks calm, cool, peaceful .. there is a ghost story .. but still a beautiful place for a vacation and looking for inspiration
Thank you @budifatria. All ghost stories are not bad. Some are amusing ๐... Yes , it is a great place for nature tourism ๐
I like this painting a lot!
And the pictures too !!
:-)
Thank you... Glad you like it. I like your art , @agneslaczo ๐
Nice Detailed Explanation
and Nice Photos to look at
You know I like this artwork
Thank you... Glad you like it. It is a very old painting. Technically not too great . But of great sentimental value. I will retouch it some day. Thank you for your appreciation, @prakashghai ๐
I like everything you paint
Thank you. I am truly, truly honoured :). You are very kind, Prakash :)
Touches the soul of your story. How wonderful it is to live in a house with a history. And this magic garden, artist it is important to have this area for inspiration. Gorgeous picture. And great that have a chance at least sometimes to come back here.
Very true. It is a beautiful place to go to to recharge a tired soul. People of art need to recharge. ๐๐.. We are very lucky to have experienced such a beautiful place. And very fortunate to have a place in the hills ๐. Thank you so much, @rajskij-sad , for your appreciation ๐
Thank you for the joy of exploring Your creativity.๐
:) :) ... thank you to you too :)
How beautiful is this place .. Full of memories of course for you :) But also terrible! many ghosts ๐ป Looks like there are no houses near your bungalow?
Yes it is a beautiful place, @matajingga.. And I have good memories. Oh! the ghosts are not terrible at all. You know how small towns , fog, animals and mountains give birth to ghost stories :D :D ... The place is absolutely safe. I have been out on walks at night, many times :) . These friendly ghost stories that exist like legends, add to the charm of the place :) . There are 3 army bungalows close by (walking distance) . But they all are hidden by forest patches . And there is an outhouse below for the bungalow workers . :) :)
I love this place.. Ghostly stories sometimes make the place more exotic๐
Imagine the mist in the morning, so quiet :)
:) ... Yes, very quiet, - except for the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves, and the sound of the wind :)
300 year old Rickety Wooden Gate that we never changed, I wonder what kind of wood it would be to sustain such a long life. Old is gold.
Usually Sal and Oak can stay intact for hundreds of years. Sal planks were usually used for wooden flooring and doors in British Bungalows in the hills. Oak and rosewood and mahogany for furniture
This gate is not functional. It is creaking and old. We have placed it in part open position. We really want to let it be for as long as it stays up ๐๐ Yes, old is gold. All this wood is prohibited now. Or very expensive. And justifiably so. ๐๐๐
Thank you for visiting and for your appreciation, ๐@prabalmallick ๐ ๐
Awesome painting and I really like all the background information. I think it's so interesting this fusion of different cultures in remote places and how it blends. By the way that flower in the garden is amazing ! Very blue and colorful :)
Thank you, @dandesign86. Those flowers are hydrangea . They have been there forever ๐๐. Yes, fusion of cultures creates an interesting cocktail ๐๐.
I will get these flowers for my Swedish garden. If they can grow there haha
Of course they will bloom in your Swedish Garden, @dandesign86. Lansdowne is a cold place. These flowers bloom in the summer months. But the bush remains more or less green all year round. And it is a sturdy plant. :)
Awesome then I must get me one of these !
beautiful painting dear and nices photos and same drawing of it.
Thank you, @birjudanak. Glad you like it. ๐
What a beautiful write up and even better painting. Not to take away from your incredible talent, but if I lived there 7 years I would have become an artist for sure :) Following you, for your powerhouse of talent.๐
Thank you... Glad you like my artwork. I believe everyone is an artist . It is just a matter of tapping into your thoughts and feelings and listening to the silence inside you ๐...
Thank you for the awesome compliment, @swati-s ... Great to meet you here ๐. Followed you too๐
Looks like a beautiful and peaceful place, with distinct seasons to enjoy. Great place, great post. Thank you.
Yes... It is a beautiful and serene place. The seasons are distinct too. Each season has an awesome aura and atmosphere. Himalayan Foothills experience 5 seasons. Monsoon is a gorgeous time ๐.. thank you so much for the appreciation ๐
Nice one :)
Thank you ๐... Glad you like it ๐
Beautiful color, beautiful photography
Thank you ๐... Glad you like it ๐