Supernal Coordinates, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Sawai Jai Singh II of Amber was a genius in statecraft as well as a keen astronomer. Among many of his accomplishments one can count the building of the city of Jaipur which was a confluence of traditional Indian town planning and contemporary European influences.

Astronomy was Jai Singh's passion. With the help of a Bengali mathematician, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, Jai Singh II built a massive astronomical laboratory (Jantar Mantar) in Jaipur in 1734, and also a few smaller observatories in Delhi and Mathura. The massive precision instruments that are on display in Jantar Mantar were made in the traditions of pre-telescopic age of observational astronomy, which was eclipsed by the popularity of telescope shortly thereafter.

In this respect Jai Singh's contribution to astronomy was rather shortlived, but its main value today is that of a grand historical summary of the technological perfection of pre-telescope astronomical instrumentation.

Here is a description of the instrument you see in this photograph (I quote): "The most fascinating of all is the Jai Prakash Yantra, which consists of two large, bowl-shaped, complementary, marble hemispheres that have planetary latitude and longitude markings and are deep-set in the ground with channels for allowing the instrument reader access to other parts of the hemispheres. A small pointer on a wire is hung over the centre of each hemisphere, and by the position of the suns shadow on the marked hemisphere sections it is possible to read the supernal coordinates of the sun." In a simpler term, it is an instrument to predict the position of the sun on a point in the sky as seen from any geographical position on the earth.

These indirect methods were soon overtaken by the influence of Newtonian synthesis. These almost surreal yet austere constructions harken back to the age of meticulus empirical observations.

goodwill, Galeota, beethoven75, besnard, CHInCu_TTHP, KevRyan, SamB, noborders, keribar, tasuray, photographer123, Isabelle, oochappan oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

goodwill (4248) 2007-04-06 1:04

Ars and photography,
Graphics and Life,
I like the contrast and the depth in your shot. Inshots like this cropping holds the key.
Well Done Ray Sahib.
Rajeev

xavshot (69835) 2007-04-06 1:08

Le cadrage et le point de vue dominant de la scčne permettent de faire ressortir le côté artistique de la photo. J'aime beaucoup le graphisme et la qualité de la photo.
Bravo
Xavier

eversmile (11636) 2007-04-06 2:00

Good composition. Very graphic. And the frame is just like part of the image. Well done! Marine

Galeota (10352) 2007-04-06 2:03

Impressive tool, not only for the ingenious purpose, but also for the aesthetical form. COuld also be a piece of art, beyond its scientific dimension, exposed in a museum. I like the presence of the two gentleman, setting a reference which allow us to better realize the size of the Jai Prakash Yantra.

beethoven75 (24) 2007-04-06 2:24

Beautiful shot!!!! Subject is fascinating, a reflection of Indian technological evolution in 18th century... and the point of view you chose is perfect. Composition is well done, evoking ellipse, giving a very dynamic energy to the picture... And the fact that two men are present there, give the scale, and gives life to this magnificent "object"...
Very well done.... !!!!
Bye
Cédric

sunrise (14) 2007-04-06 2:25

fantastic graphical composition

besnard (59196) 2007-04-06 2:59

Bonjour Animesh
Cette prise en contre-plongée nous permet d'admirer tout le graphisme de ce cliché original.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

bantonbuju (51815) 2007-04-06 3:30

hi animesh,
this is a top notch stuff...i think that a creative look into the place gave superb result...obviously the two chatting gentlemen "break" the geometry nicely...
bw, j.

partha (14023) 2007-04-06 5:24

Hoi Animesh ,
This is simply awsomw. Great visualisation power u have.Inclusion of the persons is a nice idea.
Regards.
Partha

Furachan (0) 2007-04-06 6:33

A wonderful geometry at work here, Animesh, really well seen. I have only one question: would it not be equally good if not better in a contrasty B/W...?
Lovely shot though...
Francis

CHInCu_TTHP (34) 2007-04-06 10:35

Wonderful graphical presentation & very informative notes!
Great curves formation & contrast punctuate the composition. Nicely captured, Animesh!
TFS.

KevRyan (22956) 2007-04-06 12:20

Really interesting shot Animesh - this geometry and well placed human beings - there is that little imposition of a foot top right but in a way this helps us orientate ourselves to the height of the instrument - even the sunspots seem to work i this image!

best wishes Kev

SamB (1948) 2007-04-07 0:29

Hello, Animesh--
Great work here, featuring the incredibly bizarre and abstract element against the tangible and easily related human element, giving scale and a sort of visual sea level by which the viewer can relate to the piece as a whole.
Thanks!
sam

noborders (1010) 2007-04-07 14:03

I've always been inspired by the Jantar Mantar in Delhi and was never satisfied with my photos from there - now I see this one from Jaipur and it seems so simple ! But no, you've to find the right place and the right moment, so, bravo ! I wonder what they were discussing about, would probably not have understood a word...
Congratulations,
Cath.

keribar (43841) 2007-04-08 1:47

Hello Animesh,
I see more color pictures lately on your site.
This one is probably the BEST picture I have found on TE this morning.
The frame also suits well the thick dark lines of the observatory of Jaipur.
Such good pictures give me the feeling to go to India again. - Izzet

nerve (10231) 2007-04-08 8:10

this is lovely too,beautiful graphism with Jaipur's famous Jantar Mantar..colors give a real punch here..

alimo3 (6854) 2007-04-08 19:10

Hi Animesh,
this is a very good picture,
i know this place ,and i think that is not so easy to bring back such a good one.
right point of view,really graphic composition (even on the frame),perfect moment of the man's explanation.
i simply Like !

Tom

photographer123 (6248) 2007-04-10 8:41

hi..animesh...
well graphic shot..very good composition...color and details r very good.A+..subir

Isabelle (9046) 2007-05-01 9:03

i saw this week, @ History Channel, the history of number 1 and this place was shown and i immediately recalled this shot of yours, Animesh.
Ars photographica, I would say, in a very photogenic spot with subtle colors and a superb composition.

oochappan (4880) 2007-06-24 13:13

Hi Animesh
I go for colors as an extra dimension in this well seen graphical frame with the two men on a strong spot part of the graphic, a remarkable view. Funny that foot in the corner :).
Henk