Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘People’
Save Tibet
The Tibetan Autonomous Region is the poorest Chinese region with annual per capita income of less than USD 100. Where central subsidies and investments are channelled only to the Chinese administrators and settlers, couple with fierce discrimination and oppression, Tibetans have imposed self ‘exile’ to harsh, arid and rural areas defending for themselves, their freedom, culture and religion.
9 Emperor God
During the Daoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival or Kow Ong Yah that falls on the 9th day of the 9th moon in the Chinese lunar calendar, mediums goes into deep trance and perform unbelievable feats including immersing themselves in hot oil, piercing themselves with sharp, long spears and swords, in addition to walking through fire unscathed.
Celestial Misalignment
Indian astrology is a branch of Vedic science that has been widely believed and commonly to the point of being funded by the State for research, is now wanning in popularity. Nonetheless the negative effects of marrying a Mangal Dosha, or ‘manglik’, remains a concern and movies have been resorted to to downplay this superstition.
Hayya ‘ala-Salāt at Lal Qila
At the call of the Azan (Arabic: أَذَان), Muslims around the world make haste towards prayer – Hayya ‘ala-Salāt. Salāt (Arabic: صلاة) is obligatory for all adult Muslims, and its supreme importance is indicated by its status as one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam. Ritualistic in nature, it is to be performed in prescribed conditions, procedure, and times; hence the use of Azan as a summon.
Raising Wind Horse
Tibetan prayer flags are raised traditionally to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. Found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas, it is believed to help appease the local gods and spirits of mountains, valleys, lakes, streams and sea; which provoked causes natural disaster and disease.
Stitches of Tibet
In Tibet, tailoring is a fine art made proud by the fine pieces of silk thangkas ranging from the standard two feet to the 16-storeys kyigus, hand sewn laboriously by appliqué artists for months end. However at the TRSHC, the stitches of Tibet are applied to daily practical consumption items like clothing and shoes, with some toys for sale.
Mojari Jootis Kolhapuris
These flats – Mojaris, Jootis and Kolhapuris – ‘floods’ Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab with production dating back to the period of Kings and Queens. Unlike those produced in the heydays with real gold and silver threads and gems, these cow hide shoes are now embellished with artificial materials to suit everyone’s budget.
Chaam: Dorjee Lopon
Often mistaken as the most important element of any Chaam, the Dorjee Lopon, or Single Black Hat Dance is performed solo by a dancing lama who adorns the heavy but miraculous and magical black hat that transports the wearer to a particular state of manifestation. Legend has it that the Black Hat was made from the hair of female angels and offered to the 1st Karmapa.
Chandi Chowk: Chaos . Cargo . Coolies
Chandi Chowk’s chocked up narrow lanes never ceases to fascinate: sea of people, knots of dangerously low cables dangling across buildings and streets, seething mass ‘traffic’, and countless of specialised bazaars that will match your imagination. Coolies who snakes their way through chaos with their laden cargo tells their story.