Decaying urban architecture has striking visual appeal. But it is their sense of history that adds to the fascination. The all too familiar stories of prosperity and decline, of the ordinary people that built these derelict spaces, of how they lived and laughed within those crumbling walls, and of the reasons that eventually compelled them to leave. And the haunting memories of our own childhood homes further heighten our empathy for these melancholy relics of a forgotten time.
The Urge To Wander 
Such faded beauty and, as you so well say, the memories within the walls and the neighbourhood. A touching post Madhu!
Love your opener to combine with your ‘never fading’ photos. 🙂
I was going to say Venice wins hands down, Madhu, but I have to be fair 🙂 I love all of these textures- Varanesi maybe not so much.
Another great post Madhu, im always excited whenever I see your name pop up in the reader!
What an eye for beauty you have, Madhu!
We have been drowning in monsoon rains (highly unusual here!) all day today. But perhaps tomorrow I can be inspired and see through your eyes to the wonder even in old, neglected, “ordinary” structures.
Love the sense of history. Oh the stories they can tell.
These are beautiful, Madhu. I especially like the one of the balconies in Varanasi.
you knwo that foto of lucknow with blue doors .. reminds me of our old house back in the village we had exactly same well so i think to the door .. and when we renovated we took the doors out and have used them in the new one ..
lovely pictures all of them
The cityscape of North Kolkata is dotted with many age-old crumbling buildings which still reflect the old world charm that is inexplicable!
The first two sentences in this post are perfect for me because when I see old buildings, I wonder about the life in its prime.
I was just mesmerized by the slide show Madhu, especially the blue doors. Just think of how many stories passed the threshold…
Wonderful take on the challenge, Madhu. I find the decaying splendour of these buildings to be both charming and horrifying in equal parts. This stunning architecture must have been absolutely magnificent in its heyday. Your photos are marvellous. 🙂
Wonderful and gritty beauty!
So various but each one revealing its own beauty…of time and place… Beautiful interpretation of the theme, Madhu.
These are spectacular Madhu. You are so right the decay adds to the interest.
The nature is stunning and amazing Architecture!
I feel extraordinarily privileged to travel in your India, and to read your profound reflections. I love the eye that sees so much texture in the antiquity of different places. I’m going to miss textures created by time when I return to my village by the sea – although who knows what I might find there with my eyes opened by the posts of you and other mentor- bloggers. I would so love a conversation with Christine on such matters.
Stunning pictures!
Beautiful
Love it… Stunning pictures, Madhu 😀
Great photos…
Here is my entry. Hope you take a different perspective while buying vegetables, its not a mundane job!:) http://walktomarket.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/textures-taking-a-different-perspective-at-a-fresh-market/
There can be few places that demonstrate beautiful decay as abundantly as India Madhu, but wouldn’t have been wonderful to see these places in their heyday? Perfect textures 😊
Varanasi must be the most photogenic place on Earth. I love your architecture shots, Madhu. No Paris? 😉
As always a great post.
The photographs are beautiful, Madhu.
How interesting. You have taken the potentially ugly and turned it into an art form. Well done!
Really love your collection, Madhu, very inspiring!
Great photos Madhu. I guess Varanasi may get a new look in the near future as announced. Cheers 🙂
Great pics, imagine the stories behind these buildings. I love the pic of Lucknow with the blue doors 🙂
You’re right, Madhu. It’s haunting and sad to think about the life that once was contained in these buildings. Love the photos.
Textures of time indeed, textures of memory and loss. Beautiful photos – but you know that 🙂 I am so glad to be able to comment on this. There have been many I haven’t been able to. I am so happy to be back. But before I go – texture of time & menory, but also textures of care and craft: the detailing on these beautiful buildings.
Gorgeous photos as usual – love the one of the blue doors of Lucknow!
Tutti i giorni andando al lavoro incontro una casa di campagna abbandonata, ogni giorno vedo che un altro pezzo di tetto o di muro ha ceduto e faccio le tue riflessioni. Peccato che ci passo in auto e non possa fermarmi, sto pensando che potrei armarmi di pazienza e fare almeno una foto una volta la settimana , sempre dallo stesso punto per vedere l’effetto del tempo sulla struttura.
Ci penserò finite le vacanze.
Vedo che anche tu resti colpita dai panni stesi, come fossero un segno di vita sui muri che invecchiano.
Ciao 🙂
I’m so glad you’re drawing on some of your Indian travels, Madhua. I love to see pictures of Marvelous India, of course, especially through your perceptive eyes. In this instance, where else could better illustrate the theme, and who else to draw this beautiful analogy? 🙂 The crumbling old brick emerging from its stucco casings is so textural, and so evocative of the tragedy of a family’s – a community’s – declining fortunes and all the untold stories still clinging to these buildings. Lovely response.
love it
Ah, Madhu, excellent throughout! Very insightful post, my dear. Thank you! 🙂
Great pictures, and thoughtful words, Madhu
Beautiful take on the prompt.
Some of those buildings are so beautiful, with their intricate lacework and attention to detail. It’s a shame our modern culture doesn’t value this type of beauty in architecture any more. My father was telling me how beautiful our town used to be in its early days with red cedar buildings and wonderful ornate lacework on all the verandahs. Then we got modern, tore them down and built ugly brick building in their place! Crazy.
great photos. as usual with yours I love the colours.
I love your title, it is so poetic and it captures the essence of the photos.
They are beautiful but it is almost painful to see these grand places succumb to the ravages of time and perhaps, neglect.
The sense of history really is what draws us in I think, and imagining the beauty when it was new. But then again, there is beauty in the old as well. Beautiful post, Madhu.
Somehow a picture of a modern skyscraper doesn’t capture my interest, but these buildings with their crumbling facades do. Beautifully said and captured, Madhu, rich with texture and history. My favorite is the wooden balconies in Varanasi.
HI Madhu,
What a great series of photos, and a really interesting take on this theme!
Hi Madhu. A great selection. Lucknow is a magical city (at least in my mind). Benarés (Varanasi) is where my great-grandparents were married! 🙂
Beautifully written, Madhu. Your words, though few, say so much.
Thank you Kan. Glad you enjoyed my interpretation.
I agree completely.
Madhu’s words are as vivid as the photographs she writes about.
Another Winner topic. The photos makes me walk in Europe. Congrats!!
Thanks Mihrank. The images are mostly from India, apart from the two from Venice!
Amazing so fascinating – even in the cityscape takes over nature leadership if it seems necessary – very well captured… 😀
True. Nature seems to patiently lie in wait for the crucial misstep! Thank you Drake 🙂
Reblogged this on rebloggobbler.
Thank you for the reblog.
You’re welcome.
They are so beautiful, Madhu 🙂
Thank you Marianne. And thanks for the share 🙂