Grotesque tributes

Most drawings of famous people, sometimes created as a tribute or an expression of adoration are scary and disturbing to me.  They are not very well done for the most part, and tend to be grotesque caricatures.
I try drawing well known people because it lets me know how well I have done in creating a proportionate reproduction. It's just a millimeter here or there, and this could be Bill Murray or Bob Hoskins.  It still might, but it was Phil Collins that I had in mind.   Caricatures are actually easier, the distortions typically used to emphasize the distinguishing characteristic ( Phil's forelock for instance here) take away the expectation to see a true likeness.  Not dissing that art form, but its not what I intended to do here.  I'll find "Abacab" and listen to it today.

Gym Cycle Generator

In  old Pune city this is an old temple dedicated to Ganapati ( or Ganesh).  Since the city of Pune has so many temples dedicated to Ganesh, the temples are referred to by their location. This one is called Kasaba Peth Ganapati.  This temple is a few hundred years old.
In the back courtyyard I found this stationary excercise bike that has been adapted by the local electrical/electronics  industry as a human powered generator.  Pune has numerous and unpredictable power outages.
As I drew this, a person who worked in the temple, came and looked at my drawing. On his cell phone, he showed me a picture of Ganesh he had painted.  He seemed to feel both sorry for me, and superior, as he asked me if I was limited to my sketch book and one black pen.  All his paintings are large and  in color. Oils. Winsor-Newton (a famous English paint manufacturer).  He then told me he was a "hard" man but his anger and rage issues have been calmed by this Ganesh in particular.    It was very uncomfortable looking into his dark glasses as he shared this.  Big vermillion mark on his forehead framed by long greasy hair.   I said it looked like rain and left hastily.

Winehouse R.I.P.

For some reason I remembered that it will be a year already since she died.  I was not a big fan but she had a very unique voice. Good band as well.

Kimchi

Saw a pile of Chinese cabbage at this vegetable and meat market in the Pune cantonment. Shivaji market.  I have found a genuine Korean restaurant near where I work.  I had been advised by the proprietor to grab and buy a head of Chinese cabbage whenever I saw one before the 600 or so Koreans who live in Pune got to it.  To fulfill my dream of making kimchi at home in Pune.  So I did!  Its being salted down as I write, along with some daikon radish. Tomorrow, the pepper and garlic.  It will be a vegetarian one.

Goodluck

Goodluck Cafe. Iranian restaraunt.   Deccan Gymkhana landmark. I stood and drew this, its a crowded intersection.  The motorbikes and scooties effcetively block  of the entrance.  Too many to draw.
I like the bun omellete and irani chai breakfast.

Deep stambh

This is the area leading up to a temple on a small hill called Chaturshringi in Pune.   It's a temple to the goddess '"Chaturshringi".  Quite an old temple that is flourishing now.  This area is lined with shops and eateries for the faithful before and after their visit to the see the temple deity.
The stone post on the left with the many protrusions is old ( possibly sixty to a hundred years old) and used to be lit up with oil lamps.  A small lamp was placed on each of the "holders" during certain religious festivals .  It was carved from basalt, the native stone of the Deccan trap.  Sadly, now it serves as a holder for a modern spot light placed on it and as a general purpose post to tether shops and what nots.
The grotesque Mickey Mouse bounce house is the star attraction.

Marriott

Came out of the Crossword book store on Senapati Bapat road and looked directly ahead and saw this large crane at the construction site between where I was, and the Marriott.  It was dusk and the rain clouds had come in. In the grey and deep blue gloom the Marriotts neon was the only color in the depressing landscape.  "... and the land is dark and the Marriotts neon is the only light we'll see... stand by me." Sorry Jerry Lieber and Ben E. King.