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 
They are so beautiful, Madhu 🙂
Thank you Marianne. And thanks for the share 🙂
Reblogged this on rebloggobbler.
Thank you for the reblog.
You’re welcome.
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 🙂
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!
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.
Hi Madhu. A great selection. Lucknow is a magical city (at least in my mind). Benarés (Varanasi) is where my great-grandparents were married! 🙂
HI Madhu,
What a great series of photos, and a really interesting take on this theme!
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.
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.
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.
great photos. as usual with yours I love the colours.
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.
Beautiful take on the prompt.
Great pictures, and thoughtful words, Madhu
Ah, Madhu, excellent throughout! Very insightful post, my dear. Thank you! 🙂
love it
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.
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 🙂
Gorgeous photos as usual – love the one of the blue doors of Lucknow!
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.
You’re right, Madhu. It’s haunting and sad to think about the life that once was contained in these buildings. Love the photos.
Great pics, imagine the stories behind these buildings. I love the pic of Lucknow with the blue doors 🙂
Great photos Madhu. I guess Varanasi may get a new look in the near future as announced. Cheers 🙂
Really love your collection, Madhu, very inspiring!
How interesting. You have taken the potentially ugly and turned it into an art form. Well done!
The photographs are beautiful, Madhu.
As always a great post.
Varanasi must be the most photogenic place on Earth. I love your architecture shots, Madhu. No Paris? 😉
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 😊
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/
Great photos…
Love it… Stunning pictures, Madhu 😀
Beautiful
Stunning pictures!
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.
The nature is stunning and amazing Architecture!
These are spectacular Madhu. You are so right the decay adds to the interest.
So various but each one revealing its own beauty…of time and place… Beautiful interpretation of the theme, Madhu.
Wonderful and gritty beauty!
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. 🙂
I was just mesmerized by the slide show Madhu, especially the blue doors. Just think of how many stories passed the threshold…
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.
The cityscape of North Kolkata is dotted with many age-old crumbling buildings which still reflect the old world charm that is inexplicable!
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
These are beautiful, Madhu. I especially like the one of the balconies in Varanasi.
Love the sense of history. Oh the stories they can tell.
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.
Another great post Madhu, im always excited whenever I see your name pop up in the reader!
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.
Love your opener to combine with your ‘never fading’ photos. 🙂
Such faded beauty and, as you so well say, the memories within the walls and the neighbourhood. A touching post Madhu!