Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘Travel’
Chaam Atsaras
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Phodong Monastery – Sikkim, INDIA
Similar to other religious theatrical performances in other parts of the world, Atsaras (jokers) plays an important part in Chaams. Their movement in the dance are not governed by any religious rule but rather they are granted considerable freedom of movement up to [...]
The Homeless, Rural India and COP15
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Ghoom, West Bengal, INDIA
While much of the press at COP15 were focused on the leaked draft, disarray climate talks that threatens international unity to fight global warming and speculations on India and China’s move, in tandem with ‘analysis’ (opinion pieces really) of both nations, the reality on [...]
BRO – Swastik
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Gangtok-Nathu La Pass, Sikkim, INDIA stretch
“Inconvenience is Regretted, BRO.” And many other signs such as this appear as I was traveling along the Gangtok-Nathu La Pass – 54km east of the Sikkimese capital, Gangtok and 430km from the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Lhasa. For [...]
Hashish Children of Kullu
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Naggar, Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA
Set against picturesque backdrops of high mountain passes, the gushing Beas River, lush apple orchards, bucolic alpine meadows and glacier, in Himachal Pradesh lies secluded hamlets infamous for its world class charas (Hindi for hashish).
Grown wild, traditionally the locals use the hemp [...]
Mojari Jootis Kolhapuris
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Jaipur, Rajasthan, INDIA
Mojaris, Jootis and Kolhapuris ‘floods’ Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab with production dating back to the period of Kings and Queens. During its heydays, Jootis were heavily embroidered with real gold and silver threads and decorated with previous gems and pearls. But, with the passage of [...]
Kagyed Mahakala Chaam
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Phodong Monastery – Sikkim, INDIA
The Kagyed Mahakala Chaam (dance of the Great Protector) is performed by monks on the same days across a few Kagyupa monasteries in Sikkim, Ladakh and Nepal in honour of the Mahakala after seven days and night of rigorous reading of the Buddhism [...]
Vandalism | Art
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – {some}backstreet – Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
“I think graffiti writing is a way of defining what our generation is like. Excuse the French, we’re not a bunch of p—- artists. Traditionally artists have been considered soft and mellow people, a little bit kooky. Maybe we’re a little bit more like [...]
Sculptured Dough
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Jonker Street, Malacca, MALAYSIA
Sculpturing with dough is a folk art that is a dying tradition and little known off outside China. Based on known written records, dough sculpturing is believed to have dated back to the Han Dynasty (206BC – AD220) where they were made as sacrifices [...]
Raising Wind Horse
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA
Luang Ta. It ‘carries’ the ‘Wish Fulfilling Jewel of Enlightenment’. Hence, it is the most prevalent prayer flag flown.
Found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surroundings, prayer flags is apparently unknown in other branches of Buddhism [...]
Chandi Chowk: Chaos . Cargo . Coolies
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Chandi Chowk, Delhi, INDIA
The nerve centre of commercial activity that dates back to the time of Shah Jahan’s Mughal empire, Chandi Chowk’s chocked up narrow lanes never ceases to fascinate.
Despite what appears to be a chaotic sight at first glance; the sea of people, knots of dangerously [...]
Visiting Luang Phor Khoon
© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Nakonratchasima, THAILAND
Look closer. This is not Sak Yant – the protective tattoos believed to not only ward off evil but have abilities to even stop bullets. Nor was this taken at Wat Bang (Buddhist Temple) Phra – the place flocked by thousands of people from Thailand and [...]