THE CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS

The Call of the Mountains is a collection of the authorís adventures and encounters with people, fauna, culture and ideas as they persist amongst the rough and at times hostile mountainous terrains of the Indian Himalayas.

ìÖAmongst the rolling forested hills ñ plying the terrain over the many ridges and ravines ñ one could run into sambhar, kakar, wild pigs, and even now, sometimes a stray leopard or two. I had plenty of time at hand, no schedule to keep in the world, and my mind had spiralled down to a quiet, to a stillness, to a sort of singularity with being; when all of a sudden, inexplicable and without any perceptible sensory input that I can recall being aware of, I got a very strong feeling that something was watching me, and that I was not alone...î

ñ ëSnakeí

ìÖAmongst the clump of trees that lay at the base of the hill, crouching low, almost on its belly, and with its right paw extended but airborne in line with its whiskered cheeks, was a spotted leopard. It stood in that bent-down position, its shoulder bones sticking out, neck extended, and its head inches above the ground; its left hind leg was extended behind it, and its right paw was frozen in mid-air. Absolutely still in that position, it was staring intently at a spot I could not see...î

ñ ëA Leopard on the Prowlí


The Call of the Mountains

Close your eyes and in your mind

If you can feel the cold chill of morning dew

If you can hear the rush of water and smell the pines

Then it is calling out to you too


ìCharming, entertaining & intelligent - A full bodied Mountain Wine!î

- The Himalayan Commission