I remember when I was a kid, I used to love train journeys. Hopping on the train, looking for the seats and calling dibs on the window seat was a routine. Ah, the little joys of life! The view outside the window was always more interesting, be it during the day or at night when the visibility was pretty low. Somehow amid adulating, the love took a backseat and train journeys became limited, close to none.
But during a social scrolling, I came across a page that captures the essence of India from the windows of the trains. And that instantly rekindled my love for train journeys.
Handled by 26-year-old Mumbai-based cinematographer, Shanu Babar, Instagram page The Window Seat Project is making our desi hearts bubble with joy. Speaking with Mid-Day, Shanu said,
“I’m sure a lot of people relate to the feeling of sitting on a window seat, savouring the world that whizzes past you. It’s a theatre of expressions, emotions and cultures. Long train journeys are a platform to enter people’s lives. You can never be sure of what you’ll see. Every passenger is a story. And, equally interesting are the stories you see through the window.”
Here, have a look at his photos and be mesmerised. We bet it will make you wanna take a train journey asap.
1. Just look at that.
2. And it goes on and on.
3. Chai, chai garam chai.
4. Bogie-talks.
5. Woah! This is so cool.
6. ‘Em eyes are enticing.
7. That perfect click!
8. Behroopiyas and more.
9. The fog and the litter.
10. Such a cute click.
11. Mid-journey passengers.
12. In a haze…
13. Lines will guide you home.
14. The blue interiors are rustic yet <3
15. The companion you need for the ride.
16. So much innocence.
The itch to hop on the train, look for the seat and take the window seat is back.