Soul?, a photo from Bagmati, Central

Photographer's Note

I had many hesitations about uploading this one or not. I thought about it a lot:

Does it serve the purpose of TE and help us learn something about the world?- I think, yes.

Is it something that a potential visitor of Nepal will see with his own eyes?- I think, yes.

Was I offending someone (for example the relatives) when I was taking this picture?- No, I had their permission.

Is this an insult to the honour and the memory of the dead?- I think no, because by being cremated in the holy place of Pashpatinath, beside the holy river, Bagmati, he achieved the "mocksa", the salvation from the eternal circle of death and reincarnation. Anyone (I think) would like to be captured in the most important moment of his "life" (After all death is what gives meaning and justifies our whole life).

The only thing that worries me is that this photo maybe offends some of the members of TE. I hope not!

*WORKSHOP 1:It is a closer take, a few seconds later. Not suggested for very "sensitive" persons.

*WORKSHOP 2:Third take a few more seconds later. This is an almost "funny", or should I say a tragicomic one (just check the T-shirt of the "ferryman").

siolaw, peter1892, evanrizo, josepmarin, Xalkida, AMZINCHIA, cengiz, quillo, AnimeshRay, frieda, maloutim has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2006-06-09 5:27

Hi Hercules,
I don't think this will offend anyone. A very touching image. Great composition.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

AthaPan (0) 2006-06-09 5:43

Irakli jeia sou

Exeis dikaio... ki ejo prota koitaksa kai ipa, mpa, les na deixnei pos ton kaine, opos to blepoume stin TV???

Telika poly kali apofasi na tin anebaseis.
To ws m'aresei poio poly, alla kai touti einai kali.

Filikia
Sakis

daddo (28748) 2006-06-09 6:03

Hi Hercules. If anyone was to be offended, the sensitivity and wisdom you show in your notes should make them keep their silence. I suppose we in the West in particular do not like to be reminded of our mortality, as seen by the mind numbing entertainment and the multi million dollar anti-ageing cosmetic industry. In the end it all comes to this. You caught this moment with due respect and diplomacy.Even the framing gives it gravitas. Regards, Klaudio

[2]

peter1892 (1681) 2006-06-09 6:09

Death is a part of life, and the rituals surrounding death differ around the world. Therefore I think this shot is a worthy & important contribution as it does teach something about the world. TFS.

coco (30439) 2006-06-09 6:24

Hola Hercules.
Primero decir que me gustan mбs los WS, pero entiendo que podrнan molestar a algunas personas.
Sea como sea, cada cultura ve la muerte de forma diferente: no creo que haya aquн motivo de ofensa.
A fin y a cuentas, TE ha de ser para aprender cosas acerca del mundo, їno?
Si bien como foto no es la mejor de tus fotos, йsta una foto de TE. Y eso es bueno.

Ta leme file mou.

(por ъltimo recomendarte la galerнa de oochappan, sus fotos de la India son increнbles)

wolf38 (30) 2006-06-09 6:39

The photo is clearly arranged and expression strong. It always belongs to a certain measure of overcoming to photograph dead ones and the rituals of the funeral. Greeting, Wolfgang

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2006-06-09 6:46

Hola Hercules.

100% de acuerdo (y mira que me sabe mal decir esto) con Coco. TE no es sуlo para la foto bonita sino tambiйn de "conocimiento" y acercamiento a otros sitios/culturas, lo que encaja perfectamente en la foto esta.

Un saludo, OScar

Jribeirosantos (1924) 2006-06-09 7:09

Hi Hercules!
I belive you did the right thing my friend .. you had the princpal permission .. the family .. us in TE have the choice not to see it if we think it's too much!
It's a ritual .. it's knowlege .. I'm thankful that you shared it with us!

Filakia

Joana

evanrizo (462) 2006-06-09 8:19

Συνταρακτική στιγμή πέτυχες, Hercules!

josepmarin (59385) 2006-06-09 14:05

Hola Hercules,
Ciertamente, este tipo de fotos de reportaje son muy distintas a las "bonitas" de paisajes y monumentos. Pero йsta es un recuerdo de lo que has visto y vivido tъ en el tuyo. Es una imagen chocante (no ofensiva) para muchos de nosotros, pero forma parte de una cultura de la vida y de la muerte tambiйn muy distinta a la nuestra. Aunque si lo pensamos, nosotros tambiйn hacemos cremaciones, mбs discretas, pero no hay tanta diferencia.
Buena foto.
Un saludo,
Josep
PS: Los WS muy buenos tambiйn, aunque algo mбs "duros".

Xalkida (11744) 2006-06-09 15:15

Εξαιρετική και μάλλον σπάνια φωτογραφία για το ΤΕ. Πρέπει να σε ευχαριστήσουμε που μας δείχνεις μια τέτοια ιδιαίτερη στιγμή. Τώρα τεχνικά, το καδράρισμα είναι πολύ καλό όσο και τα χρώματα. Επίσης πολύ καλά τα workshops. Εξαιρετική δουλειά!

veronika (6058) 2006-06-09 15:49

Hello Hercules,
some time ago when i knew you and your pictures, i adviced you to post this, and not just because i was curious, but i think also thanks to this picture we can learn more about world and people, different religions, and there is nothing offensive in this it and your note is very good.
Take care Hercules and have a nice evening
Vero

Graal (103040) 2006-06-10 1:48

Hi Hercules,
unusual reportage - here and in WS. Amazing photos. Good job. Interesting scenes.
Rgs, Aleksander

delkoo (68) 2006-06-10 3:24

hi hercules

I think you are the right to show us this photo.
the dead is part of life.
in occident it's very rare to see photo from burials.
regards
didier

AMZINCHIA (1082) 2006-06-11 12:05

Hi Hercules, thanks for visiting my gallery and for your comments on my picture. Thanks to your visit, I get to know your work. Let me tell you that I am extremely impressed by the beauty of your picture here, and by the very sensible note that you have taken the time to write here for us. With such care, both through your lens and through your words, you are showing us a very important fact of life - one of the MOST important indeed - in a superbly mastered way. Congratulations. Both your workshops are also very good. Cheers, --amz

bebeM (412) 2006-06-12 10:52

Oh, impressive! I like the bright colours, the natural frame and the "message". The soul is now where it belongs, I guess... :) And no offense should appear here.
Bebe

hpbaxxter (445) 2006-06-12 16:19

Yes, this is a very touching trilogy of pictures. but you did a good job with informimng of the foreign procedures.

cengiz (3593) 2006-06-13 10:17

I think every culture has a touchable rituel about death..
very good job my friend
cengiz

quillo (11858) 2006-06-30 11:18

Hola Hйrcules, un documento muy interesante sobre otras formas de sentir el fin de nuestros semejantes, tambiйn pienso que son importantes y tienen cabida en TE este tipo de reportaje.

Felicidades amigo por tu trabajo.

Un abrazo

AnimeshRay (9089) 2006-08-06 14:38

I am glad you took these photos and uploaded them.

In the Indian subcontinent death is often accepted as a matter of continuation, as you suggest, and is often celebrated. Lighting the fire on the 'mouth' of one's closest relative is an auspicious act, a duty, in fact.

I would think TE is certainly the appropriate forum for these cultural exchanges.

frieda (153) 2007-03-04 1:05 [Comment]

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Matthew-Watt (5934) 2010-10-18 3:51

Hello again Hercules,

The thrid point you make is of interest to me most. 'Is it something that a potential visitor of Nepal will see with his own eyes?'. I will visit this place in two weeks and expect to be confronted by a similar view. I thank you for posting in place of people in the past who may not have done so. It is a cultural cornerstone, a holy moment, and not something to consider taboo. It's a well composed and tasteful image and you have presented it in a most well intentioned manner. A great and memorable image.

Matt

Sardonik (1979) 2011-12-13 3:41

I have a feeling that respect is here. The body is but a vessel and probably the soul is no longer resident therein. The frustration, pain, and loving experiences of life are no more, but still exist, for all of that. I find the photograph very moving and thought- provoking. I , myself, shall be cremated at death. Peace, brother!