Mother and Child, Humana People to People India, Banganga, Rajasthan, India, Afternoon of November 16th, 2009

As the year winds down and thoughts arise regarding next year, this small village in Rajasthan comes to mind. In this corner of India exist families that have come to know my work and its purpose. When asked they organize photographic sessions and allow me to work without hesitation. The men are kind and courteous, and permit me to speak to the women and girls of the village spontaneously.

In this instance, because the skies were cloudy, we decided to work differently. On our way to the school I recognized one of the girls from the school and decided to drop by her home. All of these years we have never met anywhere outside of her school. She was so beautifully timid and proud at the same time to have us at her home. They arranged a few benches for us to sit upon and we talked for a while, the clouds were going to remain regardless.

We then arranged a few benches and placed a mat for the woman to stand upon and for the girls to sit upon for the photography. The work was mainly performed with a digital platform, while the film camera sat aside for another day. The girls enjoyed this freedom, since the film camera is usually placed on a tripod. We had so much fun, going from one position to another, making group portraits rather than the usual, single portraits.

We photographed until the sun set behind the home, and then made our way back to camp in order to have dinner and get organized for the next day.

Banganga is a special place for me, and next year will see a reopening of its Humana People to People school. In looking to next year this alone brings a deep sense of satisfaction to me, in that their portraits have helped a distant public realize the importance of an education for the girls of this village. I look forward to my next visit, and wonder how each and every one of them has changed since our last time together.

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Halim Ina Photography