Showing posts with label Caste. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caste. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2023

Young Girl, Banjara Community, Rajasthan, India


Between 2006 and 2010, this tribe was photographed in collaboration with the good people of Humana People to People India. In the beginning, this specific tribe was associated with a foundation school near Behror, Rajasthan. They then move further away in order to remove themselves from the urban chaos and in search of their more traditional way of life.

This resulted in their children losing access to the foundation's school, one in which they are enrolled for about three hours per day, outside of their daily chores and work duties. While outside of class, these children collect plastic and so forth in order to sell in bulk later. They also approach certain people for donations in the streets.

As noted in Wikipedia, 'women are known to wear colorful and beautiful costumes and have tattoos on their hands.The dress is considered fancy and attractive by Western cultures. They use mirror chips and often coins to decorate it. Women put on thick bangles on their arms Their ornaments are made up of silver rings, coins,chain and hair pleat are tied together at the end by Chotla.'

Note: canvas print 36” x 36”

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The Beginning + School, Humana India, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India


This is how it all began in India, and I am proud to say that in this very home two schools are flourishing to this day. Just this morning I received a good morning message from this family and responded with a good evening text.

My friend to the left assisted me back then, in collaboration with Humana India. Those times were most beautiful as we were working in over a dozen villages and supporting schools for girls.


Now the girls have grown up and in this village attend the sewing center. The younger children attend a small school in this house as well, run by these sister's younger sibling. To know that we have remained together all of these years makes me proud. 

I am honored to be their brother, and to know that we continue together on the path of community development.

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Así es como todo comenzó en la India, y me enorgullece decir que en este mismo casa dos escuelas continúan hasta nuestros días. Justo esta mañana recibí un mensaje de buenos días de esta familia y respondí con un mensaje de texto de buenas noches.

Mi amigo de la izquierda me ayudó en aquel entonces, en colaboración con Humana India. Esos tiempos fueron más hermosos ya que trabajábamos en más de una docena de pueblos y apoyábamos escuelas para niñas.

Ahora las niñas han crecido y en este pueblo asisten al centro de costura. Los niños más pequeños también asisten a una pequeña escuela en esta casa, dirigida por la hermana menor de estas hermanas.

Me siento honrado de ser su hermano y saber que continuamos juntos en el camino del desarrollo comunitario que comenzó en 2006. 

Friday, November 23, 2018

Shanu + Fabric, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2018


She goes by her nickname and is an inspiration in class. Even though she's unable to speak, she expresses herself perfectly. She loves to be photographed, and freezes when she sees the camera. Usually she focuses immediately on the lens and makes her way to a spot in front of the camera.

I have been photographing in her village for over 12 years now, well before she was born. She has grown up in the school and has always known this strange man coming by to document. Now she is the inspiration behind the posts to locate funding for her school, and the others as well.

On this day we attempted to do some photography of the girls living next to the building in the background, but attracted just too much attention to be effective. So we decided to call it a day and began walking back to the teacher's home.

This is when we noticed the beautiful light and decided to put the camera down right there and then. Shanu of course noticed the camera and put herself together immediately. This is her expression when she notices the camera, total and complete focus!

We photographed her for a few minutes while she maintained this intensity while all others looked on. We then walked down the path a little bit and made some spontaneous photographs of the rest of the crowd.

She is something else!


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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503 CW/100 mm lens combination and scanned through the protective sleeve for review only.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Young Student + Home, Rajasthan, India, 2017


She lives right next to Nirvanavan Foundation's Advaita Garden. Her walk to school takes less than a few minutes, and she does so with her younger brother and sister. She is at times shy and at times outgoing. When she smiles she does so completely, and when she is noticed she will usually run away in joy. 

Her independence is remarkable, for she lives in a home without neighbors. She lives with her three siblings, parents and grandparents. Every minute of her day seems busy, from helping her mother with chores to caring for her younger siblings.

Usually when I photograph her I do so alone, without help from the foundation. We communicate with a few common words, and with hand gestures. Her parents know me well enough and allow me to interact with their children freely, quite remarkable for such a society. While this is wonderful, it makes for some very difficult photography. Child psychology would have been a smart minor to have taken in college!

There are few instances when my work demands color film, and this is certainly one of them. Everyone at the foundation has noticed her beauty, and her eyes. Whenever I mention her name, the teachers nod in agreement. Hopefully in four months she will allow me to document her once again, and color film will certainly be included in my bag in case she does!


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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Two Students + Classroom, Panipat, Haryana, India, 2017


Our host in Uttar Pradesh invited us to visit his school in the neighboring state of Haryana since we were visiting the region to document the local schools. We had known each other since 2013, when his family hosted us during our documentation of the Muzaffarnagar refugee crisis. 

So one morning we left his village and drove out to the school. We were received warmly and were of course offered tea to start our morning. All of the students looked at us in dismay, as they rarely received visitors from the outside. This was especially true for the girls.

Our hosts told us about the school, that it supported the local communities which were made up mainly of migrants from further east in India. They had travelled to Panipat in search of work, mainly in the local garment industry. Their children were in need of education, and our host's friend had taken it upon himself to make this happen. He organized the effort to build the school over a dozen years ago, and also put together the funding... a remarkable feat considering the socioeconomic nature of the region.

After our conversation they offered us access to photograph the children, and we immediately took it. The hours of the school made it difficult to photograph early, so we made portraits with indirect light as the children stood in front of their classrooms. My presumption was that they would be shy. However they were anything but shy, allowing themselves to smile and laugh in front of their friends.

We photographed all of the classrooms, every single one of the students. This was a testament to the trust the staff had in our host, for doing so in an islamic center of learning is anything but straightforward. We have since then photographed this school several times, and next year will be establishing a sewing center within its campus for the elder sisters of these very students through the hard work of Nirvanavan Foundation.


Website

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Elder Refugee + Muzaffarnagar Riots, Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2013


Her portrait was made while in the middle of a refugee camp, a place she called home due to the riots of 2013. While the origin of the violence was up for debate, what was perfectly clear was the hardship being experienced by hundreds of thousands now without homes.

This incredible woman was forced to leave her village in the face of unimaginable violence. Thanks to the generosity of those in the neighboring district, she and her community were provided land on which they could begin rebuilding their lives.

They were doing the best that they could, building homes out of wood and fabric for the time being. Soon they would be provided bricks in order to construct better homes in which their children could sleep safely. As recent as my last visit earlier this year, most had moved back to their villages. Our hope is that they found their homes intact, even though their lives had been irreversibly damaged.

When we arrived on the morning of this portrait, my friend told me to get the camera and head to the center of the camp. He told me to put the camera together, and be ready for his arrival a few minutes later. This I did as people gathered around me, wondering about my purpose. My friend spoke with the leaders, and then we were allowed to photograph.

My friend Asrar asked me to point the ones out, even though it was impossible for me to be so direct. So we agreed on choosing the color of the fabrics in English, then he would ask each person to come forward for their portrait if they so desired. This was how we worked for an hour or so, until the sun had set.

As we visited the area of these camps this year, it was great to see only the evidence of the camps, and nothing more. To know that the people had returned home meant everything.


Website


Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad V system.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Two Refugees + Wall of Fabric, Muzaffarnagar, India, 2013


As Nirvana and his team move to establish a school in this region, memories of the crisis leading to this very movement come rushing forth. Four years ago I was invited to document the refugee crisis as a result of the Muzaffarnagar Riots of 2013. During our walks my eyes witnessed people doing the work on the ground, donating their land so that those without could begin to rebuild their lives.

We walked around tent where children had nothing more than the clothes on their bodies. The only protection between them and the world was a wall of fabric, and so we decided to make some portraits with the girls behind these walls. We did so in order to show the fragility of their circumstances. For most of us it is nearly impossible to imagine such an existence, especially in light of the fact that these very children were forced out of their villages in a most tragic manner.

Over the years the good people of this community brought to our attention the possibility of a collaboration. While public schools do exist in many of the villages, the quality of the schools are so that most parents refuse to send their children, especially their girls. This holds even more so when it comes to anything higher than primary school, since sending their girls to a secondary school further away is out of the question.

The community does however have incredible faith in their traditional, religious schools. The elders of one village advised that they would of course donate the building and the land, should Nirvanavan Foundation be able to implement a school worthy of their children within these schools. For such to work, a proper curriculum would need to be implemented, which would include the traditional classes as well as the arts, and so forth.

A sincere conversation was had earlier this year as Nirvana made it a point to visit the area personally, and with his team. He also invited the leaders of this community to Rajasthan in order for them to witness the foundation's work in person.

Long story short, the generosity of those here on FB will soon be realized on the ground, as the school begins to take shape over the next few months. My aim is to be there in February to document the changes, and of course to make portraits of the very children benefiting from this collaboration! 


Website

Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad V system.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Sewing Teacher + Classroom, Rajasthan, India, 2017


She stands in front of her home, over eleven years after her first portrait was made just a few meters away. For those of us from this circle involved in this movement, we present her portrait. Her aunt teaches the younger students on behalf of Nirvanavan Foundation, while she holds sewing classes for the older girls in her village. 

She is a force to be reckoned with, a true testament to the power of education. Rather than sitting on the floor like the older women in her village, she sits on the chair with such poise, and speaks as an equal to all those visiting her home.

It has been a privilege to have seen her transformation over the years. She began as a young girl, barely able to look my way when being photographed. Last year she asked for our support when she moves forward to begin a sewing class in her new husband's village. She has transformed from a shy student to a powerful proponent of social change.

This is the change people speak about, and I salute all of those involved for making this change a reality in her village!


Website
Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Best Friends + Window, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017


They attend religious classes in a local madrasa, for two hours before and after elementary school in their village. They begin as early as six in the morning and get home a little after five in the afternoon. They have taken part in my photography for the past four years, and on their behalf two dozen people from this very circle have come together.

While it has taken much time to move forward, funds for two years have been raised and the first quarter is on its way. Soon these two girls will be attending additional classes in their madrasa which include Hindi, English, Math and Art. The families of these children trust the madrasa and the family responsible for it, thus making it an idea place to combine the two systems of education.

We hope to establish this school as a center of learning in the region, and then duplicate it in the neighboring villages which are in just as much need. We are also planning on opening sewing centers in four of these villages, planting the seed of goodwill for future schools.

In my time photographing girls in India, it is rare to see two girls in such close contact. It is a sincere honor to be trusted enough to allow such portraiture. The elder girl near the window was actually removed from the school by her parents due to her age, but had come back to be photographed almost every time we stopped by during our three weeks there.

They give without asking for anything in return, for their love is total and absolute. They have taught me lessons beyond value, and have shown me that the path we are on is a good one. Upon my visit early next year my hope is to report on the beginning of the school, and to document the sewing classes in action. We thank all of you for coming together and having trust in myself, and in Nirvana... we will do our best to honor your collective commitment.


Website

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3, thanks to my dear brother Mukesh.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Young Student + Rooftop of School, Shamli District, India, 2017


The faces in this village amazed me every single year, as this young student stepped up for her portrait. There was something about them which was impossible for me to explain. My hope is that the camera has done a better job at communicating this variable to the viewers.

The day before we photographed the older students, yet this day was for her and her younger friends. When we walked down from the rooftop to gather the girls from their class, we were greeted with the most excited students. They just couldn't wait to be called, and jumped up without asking permission from their teacher. Thank goodness we had done so earlier, as the teacher watched the students run up the stairs.

Being photographed inside was something they loved. This allowed them a sense of privacy rarely experienced by them. Here they were, with their best friends and free to do as they wished in front of the lens. Thus the smiles began to show themselves more freely.

Having reviewed the film from these days in Uttar Pradesh, it is my firm belief that this form of photography will take precedence next year in India and beyond. The combination of gentle light and their freedom to express was something to behold, even more so six months later on medium format film base.


Website
Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Local Girl + Village Near Advaita Garden, Alwar, Rajasthan, India, 2017


This past trip to India was a revelation photographically, bringing me closer to the children than in previous years. Thanks to my dear brothers Mukesh and Tejpal, we walked through the villages near Advaita Garden with camera in hand. 

Without such guidance, it is nearly impossible to walk through rural India and make meaningful portraits. We met this young girl when we searched for her cousin one day, a girl with incredibly clear eyes. It turned out that this young girl was a natural in front of the camera.

On this day she walked over to us as her cousin walked away to collect water for the family. Her hair was as seen in this photograph, and she was about to pull it back when we asked her to leave it alone. She was pleasantly surprised at the request, smiling along the way to this wall. We tried to find a spot with subdued sunlight, and chose this space. She positioned herself so that the sunlight touched her face as we released the shutter.

I look forward to printing this negative in the darkroom soon!


Website
Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/100 mm combination onto Ilford Delta film.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Three Friends + Rooftop, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017


At times when it seems this work will fall short, my mind drifts far away to this village and thinks of these students. They are and have always been the inspiration behind the work. It is for them that so many of you have come together, and it is for them that Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation move forward in this region.

These are the younger students from the village, yet have had almost four years of experience with the photography. Earlier this year we discovered photography in this room and my work was reborn. They have given so much to me, and thanks to all of you the work is going to give back so much to them.

As in the previous posts, I am honored to notify all of you that 50% of the funding is on its way and the remaining 50% has already been raised.


Congratulations to all of you, to all of the girls in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh!

Website
Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Students + Rooftop, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017


For those of us involved with this new school, and for those interested in joining, these two students share their smiles. Thanks to the guidance of Nirvana and the hard work of his team at Nirvanavan Foundation, much of the groundwork has already been accomplished and we are poised to join Imdadullah and his community in Shamli District.

While the education of the students is of primary importance, we have arranged to establish sewing centers in four villages as well. This will provide an alternative to the parents who may feel uncomfortable sending their girls to secondary schools far away from their villages, as is the case in this region.

The school in which these two stand will also be painted beautifully this year, as a gesture of goodwill to a community which has given so much. The children are truly selfless and give of themselves without hesitation. Their elders have been so kind, and have taught me many lessons over the past four years.

Early next year I will join these very girls in this room, and share the love from this very circle with them... thank you all!


Website
Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Shanu + Shawl, Nirvanavan Foundation, Rajasthan, India, 2017


She is the most gentle of girls, and alone is reason enough for us to continue with her school. Thanks to the generosity of two dozen from this beautiful circle, she and the girls in her village attend classes guided by Nirvana and his team. She lives adjacent to the school, and attends classes every single day.

When the camera is present, the expression on her face turns completely serious and she steps in front for her portrait. Her hands are usually down to the side, and her gaze is deep and heartfelt. She will look to the other girls nearby now and then, to perhaps share her amazement at being photographed.

She cannot speak, yet communicates volumes... she cannot write, yet uses the chalk and a simple board to express herself perfectly. The school is everything to her, and we aim to make sure that as long as she wants to attend the school will remain. She is the first to greet us when we arrive, and the last to wave goodbye as we drive down the path to the main road.


Website


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Young Student + Madrasa, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017


For those of us working with this school, and for those of us looking to join, we present this young student's portrait. This was her first year with us, and she took to the camera in the most natural of ways. This was her expression day after day, as she arrived to school to find us waiting.

She lives in a village near a mystical river, surrounded by the most sublime fields. The village itself is quite small, yet it has a government school and a madrasa. While all of the children are registered in the government school, few actually attend. We visited the school on many occasions to see the well-meaning teachers sitting around with perhaps a dozen students playing in the courtyard.

This is the thought of our host from the village, and it is his intention to try and change the standing of the village's children. He runs the local madrasa and would like a formal curriculum introduced. Thanks to those involved, we have begun the search for three teachers at this time, and have also organized a list of sewing students who are more than ready to begin classes.

Later this year, guided by Nirvana and his team, the formal curriculum will be introduced and the sewing machines will start turning as well!


Website


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Young Girl + Madrasa, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017


For those of us involved in the interfaith effort taking ground in her village, this portrait is being shared. This is the second image we have shared of this young student, and in both she presented with the same exuberance. While her life is a most difficult one, this is the smile she shares with us every single time in front of the lens.

She is one of the younger students and often times gets less exposure during our photography sessions. When she does however she shines, barely being able to control herself. The room in which she is standing has become our favorite room for photography in India, and allows her to be herself without the prying eyes of the village.

During our most recent visit to her region we spent well over three weeks, and did as much as possible during that time to help move the interfaith effort forward. The madrasa's leaders put together a list of prospective students for the sewing class, and have moved along with the list of teachers for the collaboration. We hope over the next few months to report on the progress, and to make sure all of those giving to this project see this project bear fruit.

So far all is coming along nicely, and later this year this young girl will be attending a revised curriculum in her own village... thanks to the guidance of Nirvana and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation.


Website


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Students + Friends, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017


These two young girls are students in the village adjacent to our host's home. They attend a traditional madrasa which also presents the formal government curriculum. Over 200 students attend, with six teachers doing their best to provide a quality education. The headmaster is a most generous man, inviting us to his home the very next night for dinner.

On our way to another village the day before we passed by this school and our dear brother Imdadullah offered to speak with the headmaster. They happened to be good friends. We talked for a little bit and arranged to stop by the next day for photography. Classes happened to begin by 6:30, a perfect beginning for our session.

So we agreed and the very next day we arrived by 6:20 in the morning. The students were already in their classrooms, and looked our way with curiosity. We spoke with the headmaster and the teachers for a little bit, and then organized to photograph the girls first.

It was a great morning, as we photographed with direct sunlight first and then ambient light in the classrooms. Learning from our sessions in another village, we asked the girls to pick a good friend with whom to photograph. The mood was light, allowing the girls to be unusually free with their expressions. After all, this was still a traditional madrasa.

We hope to include this school in our interfaith efforts next year and will present it in the near future to this wonderful circle. 


Website


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.