Shiplu: Cherished Moments Frozen in Time

Looking at these photos of my tiny self, I’m instantly transported back to a time I don’t remember, but one I feel in every way possible. I was only around a year and a half, with curly hair that had a mind of its own and a plumpness that showed a carefree little life. Dark in complexion and with a bit of baby chubbiness, I looked so content—probably unaware of the vast world around me. My aunt, my father's sister, lovingly called me "Shiplu," a name that still echoes in my family’s laughter and conversations today. It’s amazing how a simple name can hold so much warmth and nostalgia. These photos were captured on a Kodak camera, that precious tool of the past that made capturing memories feel like an art. The reels had to be washed, the images developed, and finally, they’d appear on plain glossy paper, holding moments in time that seemed ordinary then but are priceless now. Somewhere between 1988 and 1989, these photos came to life—innocent moments I never knew would matter so much to me years later. Looking at this little version of me reminds me of love and care that surrounded me from the start.