Photo Journalism
The Orange Seller
While attending a ceremony at Ralong Monastery (near Ravangla, Sikkim), I wandered through the nearby market. This fruit vendor seemed as perplexed about me as I was about his green oranges.
Geometrocity
Taken from the balcony of Patwaon-Ki-Haveli, this photo captures the geometric contrast of Jaisalmer Fort’s cylindrical curves with the angular lines of the city below.
A Universal Language
During a month-long stay in Sikkim, I was asked to teach English to a small community of monks who speak Nepali and Bhutia. I’m not a teacher so my lessons were improvised and my approach was unconventional, with an emphasis on fun. On the day of my return to Canada, I wondered if they’d learned any English. But, when they gestured for me to take this photo, I realized it didn’t really matter.
“Humans of Sikkim”
This young girl stood out in the crowd at Ralong Monastery (near Ravangla, Sikkim) with her “East meets West” street fashion.
Too Cool for School
When I pulled out a cowboy hat and crazy glasses during one of my English classes in a remote monastery in the Himalayas, the monks morphed from shy boys into dudes with attitude.
The Changing Face of Sikkim
Sikkim, a tiny kingdom that became an Indian state in 1975, has a rich traditional culture that’s gradually disappearing. Outside influences, on young people especially, threaten to erase Sikkim’s authentic face. I experienced this reality first-hand when my driver (wearing Wiz Khalifa) dropped me off in Biksthang.
Farm Woman
While hiking on a path near Biksthang, I encountered this woman. She radiates the humble, hard-working, “joie de vivre” that is the essence of Sikkimese.
Urban Sherpas of Gangtok, Sikkim
“Without porters, Gangtok would shut down,” a local told me as we walked through the main shopping area, MG Marg. I was astounded by the size and weight of goods carried by these Nepali porters. Upholstered furniture, tubs of chicken, full gas cylinders. In this photo, I’m drawn to the contrast between the porter’s heavy load and the woman’s weightless umbrella.
Lady in Red
When the local children took me on a tour of Barma, a small village near Jaisalmer, this woman asked me to stay for some goat’s milk chai tea. She’s wearing traditional Rajasthani bangles, worn by (typically higher caste) married women. Her bangles are plastic though, a hundred years ago, they would have been ivory.
Giggling Girls
On a camel safari in the middle of the Thar Desert, it was all I could do to find water. Yet, these “girly girls” I met in Bheelon ki Dhani (near Jaisalmer) could find nail polish.
Begging to Speak
In a Roma village near Jaisalmer, where the children gesture, dance, and vie for attention—and rupees—is a girl. Her eyes beg to speak.
The Art of Chai
This tea stall boy—a chef, an artist, and an entertainer all rolled into one—made the best milk tea I’d ever tasted which my guide, Devender, and I drank from tiny tea cups.
Street Musician
Wandering through the alleyways of Jaisalmer Fort, I was drawn to this Bhopa folk musician who appeared to channel his wisdom and tales through his ravanhatta.
Spiderwoman
On a recent camel safari, I discovered that my guide, Nanu, was a jack-of-all-trades when he offered to do a henna tattoo for me. For some reason, his artwork made me feel like a different person … like an empowered alter- ego. It wasn’t until I saw this photo, in black and white, that I understood.