Martin Stranka's magical world

Martin Stranka is a self-taught professional photographer, born on April 13, 1984 in Czech Republic. Martin's distinctive vision of photography etched as a unique space located in a balance and serenity, while his sophisticated and rewarding images exists in that narrow space of a few seconds between dreaming and awakening. During the last three years Martin has gathered over 40 remarkable international photography awards, from different competitions including Professional Photographer of the Year, Emerging Talent Award in Nikon International Photo Contest, Sony World Photography Awards, EISA Photo Maestro or International Photo Awards and Digital Photographer of the Year both two times in a row.

His solo and group exhibitions were possible to see from South and North America, through Europe up to Asia. His photographs were exhibited in places like New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Milan, London, Miami, Paris, Dubai, Germany, Prague, Brussels, North Carolina, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Vienna and many more. Martin's work was presented in prestige galleries such as Getty Images Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and Robert Fontaine Gallery. His work was exposed next to artists like Andy Warhol, Annie Leibovitz, Banksy, Damien Hirst and Roxanne Lowit.

He has created book covers for the biggest New York publishers like Harper Collins Publishers and Sterling Publishing. Also he has co-operated with other book publishers, music publishers or artists in person around the world.

He loves the smell of autumn and sparkling grains of dust floating in the sunset.

For more of his fabulous works, click on the link: http://www.martinstranka.com/ 

12 hours in Hyderabad

0900 am: Taj Mahal Hotel, Abids.  

Go there for scrumptious breakfast consists of typical south India style. Dosa, Idly, Wada, Puri-Bhaji, Rasam, Sambar, Coffee and Tea. Though someone not used to Andhra fare may find it spicy.

1030 am: Go strolling Birla Temple on Naubat pahad.

You will actually see half of the city from the temple premises. Built on a 280 feet (85 m) high hillock called the Naubath Pahad on a 13 acres plot the temple took 10 years to complete and was consecrated in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission. Another unique thing to notice about this temple is, it does not have traditional bells, as Swamiji wished that the temple atmosphere should be conducive for meditation. This temple is one of the most important religious places in India. Spend some idyllic moments.

1130 am: Birla Planetarium and Science Museum:

Located next to the temple premises, the planetarium (inaugurated in 1985 by N T Ramarao)  is one of the most modern and one of its kind planetariums in India. With technological help from Japan, the museum is located in a doom-shaped building, which stands to educate those who visit. In fact, it is a place that both entertains and educates.

The sky shows are conducted every day along with periodically varying themes about the various elements of the universe, such as comets, meteors, the cosmos, the eclipses. With its startling sound quality and the amount of information disseminated, Birla Planetarium and Science Museum is one of the places that a visitor should not miss in Hyderabad.

The museum is closed on the last Thursday of every month.

0100 pm: Lunch at Indu's.
Time for some feast. Get down from Ravindra Bharti side, cross the road and head straight to Indu’s for their unlimited south/north Indian thali. For the non-veggies they have many options as well. Go with sometime on hand as this place is crammed full with people during lunch.

0230 pm: Chowmahalla Tour:

Lunch done, leave for Chowmohalla palace in the old part of the city. The palace belongs to the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam.

Built in neo-classical style, the courtyard of the main complex consists of four more palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal worth visiting.

0500 pm: Lad bazaar:

After a through two hour excursion of the palace you may be in mood for some speedy shopping for typical Hyderabadi bangles. Look no further and walk down to Laad Bazaar; the old market popular for bangles is located on one of the four main roads that branch out from the historic Charminar.

Laad meaning lacquer is used to make bangles, on which artificial diamonds are studded. In this 1-kilometre (0.62 mi)-long shopping strip, most of the shops sell bangles, semi precious stones, pearls, jewellery, 

including products such as silverware, Nirmal, Kalamkari paintings, bidriware, lacquer bangles studded with stones, saris and handwoven materials of silk, cotton,  brocade, velvet and gold embroidered fabrics, traditional Khara Dupattas, lacquer bangles and perfumes.

0600 pm: Charminar:

The English name is a transliteration and combination of the Urdu words Chār and Minar, translating to "Four Towers"; the eponymous towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.

The Charminar, built in 1591 CE, this landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India.The Charminar is on the east bank of Musi River. To the northeast lies the Laad Bazaar and in the west end lies the granite-made richly ornamented Mecca Masjid. The eastern side is occupied by another beautiful Nizamia Unani Hopsital building.

0830 pm Paradise:

End the day by relishing the status symbol of Hyderabad, dum biryani, (remember its called pulav if cooked with chicken. So go for the real meat!) at the best place in the city. Do not forget to try Khubani ka meetha or Double ka meetha or Kheer another specialty of Hyderabad. You will love it.

Little Crazy

“But we're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy…” every time I hear the soundtrack from Devil Wears Prada, am reminded of people who are in their own world, disquiet about what others think of them. Generally people say artists are eccentric, but I hold opposing views.

I have always seen these men (excuse me for being gender biased) in the vicinity of dargahs, often referred to as Majnu (mad man), as a unique visual character in themselves. What they wear, what they say, what they do, what they eat, where they live, what work they do, it really does not matter to them or to anyone but attract lots of attention. But they are ubiquitously. Contented. At ease.

During one of my countless escapades to Charminar (Hyderabad) on a Sunday morning, I came across one such person.

He was cheerfully singing. Dancing. And laughing. All by himself. I mustered enough courage to talk to him only to realize what a wonderful and friendly person he is. Full of anecdote from religious books. Often breaking into Kabir’s couplets or saying things that will blow you off. Not at all bothered about who, what, and why.  He was enthusiastically geared up to pose for me by showing off his rings and jewelry that he had adorned by hundreds.

In my own excitement I forgot to ask his name. But that’s beside the point. What I got in return was worthy enough to survive as an artist. That we got to be little crazy.