Have you seen the John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale starrer “Serendipity”? I just love the movie about two people who are brought together by chance. In fact, I have always loved the concept of Serendipity! I think I first encountered the word in school, where it was used to describe the chance discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming.
That brings me to my serendipitous experience.
Having a full-time job means, I can devote time to photography only over the weekends. Last weekend, I decided to visit the Indian Botanical Garden, founded way back in 1787. Amongst others, it is the proud host of The Great Banyan Tree, which is considered the largest tree in the world. So, I decided to visit the garden early morning. The garden is about an hour’s drive from my residence, and after encountering unexpected heavy traffic, which left my nerves frazzled, I finally reached the gates of the garden at around 6 a.m. As I was about to walk in, I was stopped by 4-5 guards and told that till 7:30 am, only people with special morning walk passes could get in. I asked if I could buy one now. No. the passes were issued only from 8 a.m. till 10 a.m.
You can imagine my disappointment at this anti-climatic turn of events. Not wanting to waste my morning, I decided to head towards the Maidan. Reaching the place, I was wondering what to shoot, when I saw a bunch of young and not-so-young people playing soccer. The result is this post.
After the game, I chatted with the players and came to know that they call themselves the “Early Risers Football Club”. They are a mix of students and working professionals, who bond over a game of soccer twice a week. After the game, they invited me for some fresh lemonade, which is a post match ritual for these guys. They even have a Facebook Page, to which I have been made a member now!
After the disappointing start to the morning, it was really refreshing to watch these guys play, and of course, I made some new friends.
I love the concept of Serendipity. 🙂
Hope you enjoyed the early morning game of football 🙂
Know-All's Box 
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown and commented:
But I’m not the earliest of risers!
thanks a lot for the re-blog! 🙂 What was it about the early bird catching the football! 🙂
You nailed it: serendipity is the single most determining factor in unscripted street photography. Incidentally, i have just retooled my “about” page, and that very word popped up in the very last lines. Nice set.
Thanks again Alessandro! And I agree with every word you say in your “About” page! What was it about great men, thinking…. 😀
I am just so addicted to your blog. Loved this post – as usual.
Thank you so much! 🙂
NICE! Some of the shots are really great – I believe you have a sports photographer in you 😀 I do hope to see the botanical garden eventually too though 😉
Thank you! 🙂 Honestly, even I hope to see the Botanical garden eventually…though I will need to go one day just to get that god-damn pass!! 😀
Great series! Loved the action shots… and the candids! I guess that doesn’t leave much else that I didn’t like! 😉
haha…thanks a lot Shutter-tripper! 🙂
That was an awesome chance you’ve had to get to be with the footballers, along with the great photos, it was serendipity indeed! Now I hope your next post will be on the botanical garden so i can see the Banyan Tree!! 🙂
Ah! Thank you thank you 🙂 About the Banyan Tree let me tell you something…it is indeed large…but over-hyped…the garden has so much more to offer….do visit it if you can..preferably in winter..for me, first i have to get that stupid morning walkers pass 😀 BTW, where’s my cappuccino? 😛
Very soon Know-All! Traffic conditions along with the distance ( sometimes I feel Newtown and the city are almost states apart) ensure that I stay ensconced at home. But I need to get out, and meeting you sounds very very nice to me, so do expect my call soon! 🙂
hahaha…i agree, and of course the weather is wonderfully sultry..makes one feel like turning into an earthworm! 🙂 well, hope to hear from you soon! 🙂