Photographer's Note
Every Sunday morning, this man and his wife come to our colony. His wife plays the dholak (an instrument like the drums, but one which you could hang around your neck) while he whips himself with this thick whip. Why he does it-I don't really know. I have been told that the story behind it is that he has been cursed by a supernatural power and this is the only way to get rid of it. He also asks the crowd for some bheeksha (money). The sound of the drums is quite intriguing-its different and can be recognised from the other drums of its kind. The sound of him whipping himself is so loud, I can hear it loud and clear from my second floor apartment, while the balcony door is shut! I once saw him whipping himself and was stunned- he actually swung the whip around and brought it down on himself real hard. I'm sure it hurts quite a lot, but pain just doesn't show on his face!
hispic, ChrisJ, Kenny10pin, Rinie_Hoff, elihesamian, nwoehnl, eleparc, RGatward, Jeppe, rabani, christina, glitch, cetrocomix, phi729, pulezan, Pattyjy, hojper, sunny, arnabchat, mpb001, Georges, vagabondtravels marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
ChrisJ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 17139 W: 1065 N: 37710]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(171146) 2004-11-20 8:03
Namaste Smrithi
Excellent pov with good sharpness & lighting. A great daily life shot that tells us something about Indian culture & customs. Well done!
clodreno
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(0) 2004-11-20 8:22
thanks Smrithi, I tried often to get a picture like this one. I never really succeeded.
very nice, from above.
Kenny10pin
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4744 W: 0 N: 5667]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(19301) 2004-11-20 8:27
I like the action shot here, the guy is doing some sort of dance? very good angle and also the object is unique too, thanks for the note
Rinie_Hoff
(9340) 2004-11-20 8:41
Hello Smrithi, Good point of view here. I think it was not easy with the light, as the man is in the shadow with a strong backlight, it's a good choice to hoot him from above.
Amazing action, I hope for him he will soon be able to get rid of that curse!
everlasting
(19680) 2004-11-20 13:00
Wish I had this going on under my balcony of a Sunday morning. Here in front of my house the most exciting thing of a Sunday is maybe a few ducks strolling across the grass:)
But very good POV making this a good action shot.
elihesamian
(26149) 2004-11-20 14:47
Good POV,well seen,Smrithi,a fine daily life shot,nicely captured with a good composition,nicely done,I like it,great note.
nwoehnl
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(122) 2004-11-20 15:01
Very interesting scene, Smrithi. The viewpoint from above and the slightly tilted appearance of the man give a lot of impact to your photo, and also worked out fine to mitigate the strong light situation you had to deal with. Well done.
eleparc
(24063) 2004-11-20 20:47
interesting angle of shoot, and tilt;-) not so sure about the frame though... especially when it steps on his head... nice shot though!
RGatward
(20108) 2004-11-21 10:55
Good PoV and posture you've caught in this guy. What an interesting place you live, you seem to have caught quite a few from your front window! Just a matter of taste, but I'm, so keen on that style of frame, especially since it cuts trough his hair.
flydragon
(0) 2004-11-21 12:49
hello Smrithi
interresting picture and note
and nice pov
well done
••simon••
dsidwell
(9783) 2004-11-21 15:36
Very interesting angle for your point of view. This must be a fascinating display! The space at right is appropriat to give him 'breathing room.'
kikvel
(4784) 2004-11-21 15:44
Hi friend
I am not sure about the frame with a bevel...
the subject is great, however it seems kind of soft
I like it
your notes are great,
K
Jeppe
(18654) 2004-11-21 16:29
Very well composed photo and a fine pose as well - you capture this artist very excellent - thanks Smrithi - for the note as well to explain.
rabani
(9645) 2004-11-22 1:13
It must have had been quite painful taking this shot. While most grabshot is pretty quiet, this is one loud and painful one, to hear. And that whip is painful just to look at. Let alone cracking on your skin. And the whole scene, deafeninly painful. Well done Smrithi. Just well done showcasing this event without too gorily.
christina
(2040) 2004-11-22 17:40
What an interesting story!I like your pespective and composition. A unique situation and photo!
glitch
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 185 W: 49 N: 155]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(763) 2004-11-22 17:54
Nice capture Smrithi!
Interesting viewpoint of this bizarre ritual. I presume it was taken from your 2nd floor apartment from this angle. Good view of this guys whip, stretched out in his hands. Wish i could say it looked nice, but knowing what it does makes it difficult. Good portrayal anyway.
Thanks for sharing!
cetrocomix
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 70 W: 16 N: 66]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-n.gif){kind=small}
(309) 2004-11-22 20:43
Really nice capture that comes with a very interesting note. A daily life shot that allows us to know a little more about stories that can happen in your country. Really well done.
manny
(22032) 2004-11-23 23:59
Your POV is unique. Good frozen action though IMHO, I would bump the sturaion level a bit higher.
phi729
(2101) 2004-11-24 17:42
Hi Smrithi :)
Perfect inconspicuous point of view to catch this man during its ritual. I like the off centered and tilted framing, giving the feeling that he is tottering under the pain. One can even see the whip's traces on his body. Brrrh! Hard life for him; Is there no other way to get rid of that curse? Interesting note about the scene too. Thanks a lot to share, Smrithi.
pulezan
(841) 2004-11-25 2:22
Even with difficult light you took a good shot. Very good picture of daily life, I like your framing.
vedran
yesterday
(9833) 2004-11-26 1:52 [Comment]
hojper
(2832) 2004-11-26 11:37
Is that a whip? It looks like a snake. A fantastic story, thanks for telling it. And I think you got him at a good moment. He looks totally concentrated and we can almost hear the drum.
sunny
(3069) 2004-11-28 15:57
Very strong composition in emanating special mood and feelings, Smrithi! His expression is really capturing, with the concentration in eyes and tension in body. Excellent capture!
jrj
(34843) 2004-12-01 13:42
Another great daily life detail. Good capture, interesting details, original shooting position
arnabchat
(7233) 2004-12-02 8:59
very good shot. like the action and colors.
good note too.
Thanks, Arnab
PS: almost missed this good one.
mpb001
(4602) 2004-12-02 12:01
Interesting shot and story, Smrithi. I would never have known about this ceremony. Thanks for sharing it.
retesh_gondal
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 81 W: 0 N: 26]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(173) 2004-12-07 12:25
nice powerful daily life shot...for some life always remain hard...well this shot personifies life is hell...for some
adind
(738) 2004-12-08 8:57
The slight tilt in your image creats
a kind of dynamics ...i like the colour
and contrast between them..
best,
atis
kaychambers
(1198) 2004-12-14 20:01
Hi Smithri,
At first, I though this was a snake :-)
Nice image (nice frame), enhanced by your informative note.
Well done,
Regards,
Vic, Singapore.
jrzufferey
(7305) 2005-01-09 6:38
Bonjour Smrithi, intêressante note photographique, je trouve belle ton image. Amitié/jr
Georges
(11185) 2005-03-18 9:17
Trés joli cadrage bien equilibré avec une belle diagonale du a l'angle choisi.
Bravo pour le coup d'oeil Smrithi
archanabhimasen
(270) 2005-11-15 8:56
Hi Smrithi,
Great day to day subject. I have seen people doing this here in Bangalore and its a harsh thing to see.
vagabondtravels
(6511) 2006-12-06 19:03
Hello Smrithi
Good TE photo. I really like the pov and great colors. A great shot. Well done.
Ben
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Smrithi Rao (sn00zie)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 892 W: 27 N: 592]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2384) - Genre: Pessoas
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2004-11-14
- Categories: Vida Diária
- Camera: DCR HC 40E
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Date Submitted: 2004-11-20 7:48
