Introduction

{Twenty something, Bangalorean, Kannadiga, Rookie-entrepreneur, Independent Software Developer, Amateur Astronomer, Voracious talker, Junkie, Shutterbug, Travel Maniac}

Musings

The Web
The web fascinates me. I believe with passion that the web is probably the biggest innovation of the century. With it's ever increasing reach and usability, Web-centric convergence is the way forward for most things in the world.

Software and Programming
I'm a strong supporter of Open Source software and Open Standards. I'm a GNU/Linux user and most of my work revolves around various Open Source stacks. I'm a casual contributor to the f/oss world.

I mostly live on PHP. I also speak/read/write C, VB and Java fairly conversantly. While at it, I enjoy programming.

Music
I've always been interested in Indian Classical Music. While my inclination was mostly towards Hindusthani, I've found inspiration from Akarsh Simha over the last couple of years, which has left me leaning towards Karnataka SangIta.

My musical talents are sparse, but I try meddling with the flute (Something I've picked up from Akarsh Simha again. I believe he's very good although he claims he sucks). The vINa is now learning to bear my musical pursuits.

Travel
I've a huge calling in life for going places. Indian Architecture, Sculpture and Temples fascinate me. I also have an equally overwhelming calling for nature. I've trekked a little in the western ghats of Karnataka and (much less) in the Himalayas. Some day, I dream of being a full-time nomad roaming various corners of the world.

Photography
I'm a rabid photo-enthusiast. My camera travels nearly as much as I move about. My current equipment (needs upgrade) includes a Canon EOS 400D, 18-55 f/3.5 - f/5.6, 28-80 f/3.5 - f/5.6 and a 70-300 f/4-f/5.6. I borrow, pool and share lenses (atleast better ones) fairly often.

Long-exposure landscapes, Portraits and Action photography interest me quite a bit. I've also tried a hand at bird-photography but with limited success thanks to lens-constraints and lack of experience.

Philosophy
My tryst with Philosophy began when I read Will Durant's "The Story of Philosophy". Ever since, I've tried to read quite a bit of Kant, Nietzsche, Spinoza, Schopenhauer and Russell. I've also found interest in various Indian schools of Philosophy - Primarily Advaita vEdAnta through various works (mostly by The RamakrshNa Mission).

I have strong political inclinations and influences.

Astronomy
I've had long standing interest in Amateur Astronomy, Formerly theoretical but mostly Visual and Photographic these days. I also ground a telescope mirror for a while, but gave up at 400 grit mostly due to laziness. I'm grateful to all my hobby-friends who've been magnanimous enough to share telescopes and other equipment.

In April 2006, I started an Amateur Astronomy community on Orkut, which gradually grew into a formal association and what is today, The Bangalore Astronomical Society. As a web-centric organization, we've amassed a user base of nearly 1000 on our web portal, 500 subscribers on our mailing list and 500+ members on the original Orkut community. Our work, especially in publicizing and promoting Amateur Astronomy has brought us recognition and media attention.

I was also the Secretary of this organization till 2009. I continue to be passionately involved with it's activities. I also maintain their website.

At a personal level, BAS has brought me a circle of hobby-friends with whom my connection goes well beyond Astronomy.

Books and Literature
I've a large appetite for good literature. Philosophy apart, I've followed and read quite a bit of Shakespeare, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Marquez, Kafka, Ayn Rand, Wodehouse, Mark Twain, O Henry, Joseph Heller et al.

Amongst Kannada literature, I've mostly read works of S L Bhairappa, Kuvempu, Tejasvi, B G L Swamy and Shivaram Karanth.

I also read (not necessarily like all the time) Salman Rushdie, Khushwant Singh, Taslima Nasreen, Vikram Seth and other contemporary writers from the subcontinent.

I've read and loved all Tintins and Asterixes.