Exploring the North-East of India with Rajeev Khandelwal

THE EPISODE ROUND-UPThe show was telecast on June 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.,

India Standard Time

All photographs and text by Ajay Jainajay@ajayjain.com / http://kunzum.com

Monday 10 June 13

When in the North-East, you are never far from its mighty rivers. It was thus apt to start along the mighty Brahmaputra where Rajeev camped for the night -

waking up to a crisp sunset in the company of locals fishing for their daily meals in row boats and nets.

Monday 10 June 13

This lady could only watch with curiosity wondering what the entourage of cars and cameras were doing in her village as we shot Rajeev’s journey. Did you

notice the flies on her face?

Monday 10 June 13

When on the go, we had to eat wherever we could grab a bite. Sometimes it was best not to peek into the kitchen. But then again, dhaba food rarely hurts anyone.

Monday 10 June 13

And then started the beautiful journey to Arunachal Pradesh with roads running along tea gardens and forests much of the ways. We did encounter broken roads, but

did not really feel the bumps - we were busy enjoying ourselves

Monday 10 June 13

The residents of the North-East are beautiful - in their hearts, and in their looks. Like this Assamese girl we met in a village on the way.

Monday 10 June 13

Nature is worshipped in the North-East; after all, the people here have been co-habitating with the natural world since time immemorial

Monday 10 June 13

We met members of the Khampti tribe at the first stop in Empong village near Chongkham and Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh - and could only be mesmerised by the portraits that I shot.

Monday 10 June 13

Here is another girl from Empong village. Touchwood, they sure are a happy lot.

Monday 10 June 13

The Khamptis prepared a special treat just for Rajeev. Only he was invited.

Monday 10 June 13

The local monastery in Empong performed their traditional dances under bamboo trees by the riverside with light rain falling all through

Monday 10 June 13

Rain followed us in much of Arunachal - but we throughly enjoyed its refreshing effects while much of the country roasted in the summer heat

Monday 10 June 13

And then we visited the Golden Pagoda, a Buddhist monastery, atop a hill in Tengapani. The design and the picturesque setting make for a spiritual atmosphere.

Monday 10 June 13

Wherever Rajeev went, he got an invite to a meal - including at the Golden Pagoda where he had breakfast with the monks. A part of the training for young monks includes washing their own utensils.

Monday 10 June 13

Even Buddhist nuns need friends

- like the one at the Golden

Pagoda

Monday 10 June 13

Rain or no rain, tea leaves have to be picked - so we may all get our cuppa on time

Monday 10 June 13

The alterrain seemed to have been enjoying itself with Rajeev driving it through all landscapes and settlements

Monday 10 June 13

Quite a squishy ride for the alterrain - Rajeev was heading to a tea garden in Wakro in Arunachal to not only pick leaves, but also learn how to process the leaves into tea for the market

Monday 10 June 13

That’s the tea gardens we are talking about. What do you think of the landscape?

Monday 10 June 13

Converting leaves to black tea can be quite a steamy affair - it also kept us warm in the cold

Monday 10 June 13

After a long day’s shoot, Rajeev deserved his cuppa - made from the leaves he processed himself

Monday 10 June 13

One could drive the alterrain forever in these landscapesMonday 10 June 13

Want to catch little birds for your meal? Not Rajeev’s idea of a treat, but catching birds in this trap makes for daily bread for this Mishmi tribal in Arunachal

Monday 10 June 13

The Mishmis taught Rajeev how to weave bamboo baskets…Monday 10 June 13

...and they also taught him how to build a traditional houseMonday 10 June 13

The 410 metre long bridge over the Lohit river at Parshuram Kund (15 kms from Wakro) is a marvel in itself - but we had to take care in the strong winds lest we flew off ;)

Monday 10 June 13

Rajeev really tested the alterrain in the Bereng river - both came out with flying colours to tell the tales of their adventures. I was sure we were going to be stranded for the night, trying to fish the

car out and to get it going again.Monday 10 June 13

For a change, the alterrain got a joyride - when crossing the Brahmaputra on a ferry to take us from Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal

Monday 10 June 13

This is where we all felt jealous: Rajeev got to raft down the Siang river in Pasighat - we did not

Monday 10 June 13

Parting words by Rajeev along the Brahmaputra - where the journey started on day one

Monday 10 June 13