Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
People
Tsunami Photo Museum – a visual memory
After 7 years since the Tsunami devastated the coast of Sri Lanka taking over 50,000 lives with thousands more injured, displaced and left to reconcile with their memories and nurse their scars, businesses, infrastructure and lives have been rebuilt. However, the signs of destruction that had taken the nation by surprise are still there … none more prominently showcase than the Tsunami Museum in Telwatta, Sri Lanka.
The Halal Meat Butcher
Although the term halal (حلال ḥalāl) and haraam are applied to many facets of life; and one of the most common uses of these terms is in reference to meat products, in particular the slaughtering method used. Whilst the prescribed method of Ḏabīḥah (ذَبِيْحَة) has been applied for centuries, debate on if its inhumane continues today despite scientific evidences suggesting otherwise. With labeling applied to provide consumers the choice, Jewish and Muslims across the globe continues to seek and provide halal and kosher meat.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
The Mevlewi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a “dance” and musical ceremony known as the Sema, which involves whirling, from which the order acquired its nickname the Whirling Dervishes. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love towards “Perfection”. The Sema is credited to the Mevlewi founder, Rumi, who heard the dhikr “la elaha ella’llah” which filled him with happiness that he stretched out both arms and spun in a circle.
Djamaa el Fna and Kautoubia Mosque
Famed for the Djamaa el Fna with its vibrant souk that displays a labyrinths of Moroccan craft and wares by day and a mesmerizing scene of life drama that unfolds by night, Marrakesh is a place that drives one’s senses into overdrive mode with its heady mix of sound and colours, pungent smells of goats and camels, lingering sensuous scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, and tantalizing tastes.
Ramadhan Djamma el Fna
Although the focus of Ramadhan – the Islamic month of fasting that involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, smoking and other vices between sunrise and sunset – is spiritual, many cultures place a surprising emphasis on food during this holy month. Likewise, with improved economic standings, throes of tourist and an unsatisfiable appetite, food stalls selling the traditional Harira – a cheap and hearty lentil and tomato soup – in Morocco’s famed souk is thining.
The Snake Charmer and Flute Seller
Regardless of melody produced by the snake charmer’s pungi or the flute seller’s flute, the serpent that emerges from the dark creaves if its basket is not able to hear. Hence, snake charming is a practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument and an art handed down by lineage of understanding the snakes natural attributes to create a performance.
Hawa Mahal – Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s ‘Purdah’
Globally recognized as a poignant landmark, the Hawa Mahal’s architectural idiosyncrasies creates a shroud of doubt and speculation as to the real intend behind its construction and design; a need basis summer palace that counters the harsh environs and weather of Rajasthan? or Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s answer to the ‘purdah’ for the women in the royal harem?
City Palace: Guards, Peacock Gate & British Prince
The Rajput kings were known for their modern and Western outlook; maintaining close bilateral relations with the British. While a visit to the City Palace recounts their history and explains the makeover of Jaipur to a “Pink City” during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Maharaja Ram Singh’s support for the Imperial rulers in the Sepoy Mutiny and his favorite past time of hunting and polo, it is the palace guards with curled mustache against the intricate Peacock Gate that gets the most attention.
Make Haste for Iftar
Hadhrat Sahal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that the holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The people will remain prosperous so long as they hasten in breaking their fast (at the time of Iftaar).” ~ by Bukhari
Paal Kudam – Cleansing the Mind and Soul
A form of penance that is typically done by children and women, the offering of milk symbolizes the cleansing of mind and soul. However, to have their wishes fulfilled, devotees perform this paal kudam ritual for 3 consecutive years. Children who are not allowed to pierce their bodies before puberty carries the pot of milks in preparation of examinations, ward away evil and keep illness at bay.
Religion and Trance
People of varying faiths throughout the world are said to have experience a transcendence state from different perspectives with many textual references supporting such claims; ranging from the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34), the Torah (Genesis 6:4) to the Qu’ran (Verse 275).
Para Bhakti on Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai which falls in January or February in the Gregorian calendar. Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan – the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati – and the occasion in which Parvati ‘arms’ Murugan with a vel (lance) to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
Ramayana Dance
Ramayana has been expressed the world over via music, dance, painting, sculptures and plays. In Bali, fragments of the Ramayana have been incorporated into creative dance forms that are both accompanied by a musical band – gamelan, or that of human voices. The Ramayana told is as follows…
Sanghyang Exorcism Fire Dance
Lulled into trance by the chants, the ‘horse rider’ in Sanghyang Djaran’s movements and dance in and out of the smoldering pile of burning coconut husks is in sync with the rising and falling chorus of chants.
Kecak (ˈketʃak)
A form of Balinese music drama performed primarily by hundreds of men only in loin cloths, Kecak infuses peripheral cultural elements of the Balinese Sanghyung exorcism ritual and fragments of the epic Ramayana in 1930s to gain wider acceptance. Today Kecak is adapted and performed for tourists.
‘Ngaben’ Offerings – Balinese Cremation
Appearing to be more of a festival of conspicuous consumption than one that carries the air of sobriety of a typical funeral, offerings can extend to include whole suckling pigs, fabric, perfumery and even “afterlife helpers”, in addition to the little sculptures of coloured rice dough pinned on palm baskets, sate lilit and fruits.
Balinese Cremation for a Brahmana
The Balinese cremation or ‘ngaben’ is anything but a sombre event with hundreds of spectators, musicians and men carrying multi-tiered funeral pyre clowning around to confuse the soul from having any earthly attachments before it ascends to heaven upon the scattering of the ashes in the ocean. ‘Ngaben’ is the most expensive and extravagant rite of passage for any person.
‘Ngaben’ – A festival of conspicuous consumption
Appearing to be more of a festival of conspicuous consumption than one that carries the air of sobriety of a typical funeral, offerings can extend to include whole suckling pigs, fabric, perfumery and even “afterlife helpers”, in addition to the little sculptures of coloured rice dough pinned on palm baskets, sate lilit and fruits.
Odalan: Bali’s Temple Festivals
With temple festivals being celebrated on a new or full moon or every 210 days on an island with countless numbers of temples, there is literally a festival of some kind every day in Bali. Besides making offerings to the gods and demons, Odalan is a social event that entertains and keeps the community closer together.
‘Ngaben’ – Bali Cremation
The Balinese cremation or ‘ngaben’ is anything but a sombre event with hundreds of spectators, musicians and men carrying multi-tiered funeral pyre clowning around to confuse the soul from having any earthly attachments before it ascends to heaven upon the scattering of the ashes in the ocean. ‘Ngaben’ is the most expensive and extravagant rite of passage for any person.
Lives as Brahmaputra Dies
Scientist predicts that the Brahmaputra and other Himalayan rivers flowing through Northeast India will stop flowing within the next 5 decades if the soaring global warming temperature is not arrested. This will cut off one-sixth of humanity’s water source; affecting over 400 million people’s lives in China, India and Bangladesh.
all we have is the earth and sky
Over 18 million Indian children life, work, play, sleep, dream on the streets and sidewalks of Indian cities with a steady upward climb with more than 50 children escaping intolerable circumstances at home to begin new lives on their own on the streets. With least access to shelter, nourishment, health care and education, they work long hours and are constantly harassed and exploited.
Survival : Men vs. Cow
Urban poverty is a massive and growing issue, but it is often poorly understood, underestimated and unrecognised. Being the most populous city in Uttar Pradesh, Agra – the home of the grandiose Taj Mahal -has most of its 1.69 million people living under the poverty line and ‘homeless’. As resettlement projects takes place in Mumbai and Delhi, will Agra benefit from its experience?
Children Beggars
9 out of 10 homeless children do NOT beg as a way of life. Children who take to panhandling are usually victims of organised begging rackets, led by gang leaders who often present themselves as ‘benefactors’ and ‘protectors’ of homeless children that comprise of the poor, runaways and disabled. In order to reap bigger profits, thousand of these children are mutilated yearly