The smiling flower lady-the happy “mallaah” maker.

Posted on June 4, 2019

I met this happy mallaah maker just outside one of the many temples around. She looked so happy sitting there on the ground making the necklaces out of flowers. Her friend was sitting right next to her and they where chatting away. Of course I asked before shooting away but once I did this man came over and said ” what about me?” “Nope ladies only” I answered. He didn’t really get that I wasn’t interested in him. That happens when I’m out and about. Sometimes everybody wants their picture taken and sometimes it doesn’t matter if I take the time and show them what they look like. Then again sometimes I needs to stay in the moment. So the flower lady-ladies got all my attention that day.

A trio of ladies and a dog ! Modern and traditional.
Every day she’s out on the street making malaahs and selling them to the people that go into the temple for their praying ceremony – pooja, puja (hindi).
A needle and a thread is all you need and I guess some patience. Meditative work maybe .
While I was there they got some chai and even I was offered a cup but this time I kindly said no, thank you. But just look at that smile <:
There are some flowers that are divine and are the Hindu gods favourites . Red hibiscus, Parijata , Lotus, Marigold, Palash, Tulsi and Jasmine. I’ll try to explain which God prefers which one at another time if that’s ok with you. It needs a post of it’s own.

My little walks around the small “villages” feels like the most rewarding. I just wish that I knew the language so that I could communicate. Remember here they speak Kannada and I’m only familiar with Hindi and the two are so totally different with some few exceptions.

So hang in here and I’ll see if we can practise some words in Kannada. Malaah is the first one you get to learn. The h is silent !

So lets get back into our rickshaw and where we are going next? Let me think…..<:

 Category: Bangalore, colours of India, Faces of India, Flowers    Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

 3 Comments

Rajasthani family in Karnataka

Posted on April 29, 2019

Imagine my surprise when I noticed a Rajasthani family living along side one of the roads here in Bangalore. They sure are a really a long way from home.

They make these faces that most people have hanging on the outside of their house to keep bad spirits out. Of course we also have one that was given to us by the former tenant.

They are a long way from home just like I am.

Are you still hanging on ? Find the rickshaw ride a little bumpy? It actually was since it was quite a long ride. I will try to make it smoother next time but you never know on these roads.

 Category: Bangalore    Tagged: , ,

 2 Comments

Last day of my photo exhibition.

Posted on April 7, 2018

Today is the last day of my exhibition, A Journey into the Soul of India. I’m both happy and sad. Happy that quite a few have come to look and also happy that I had the courage to do this here at home. Sad that it’s all over.

I’m pleased that I have raised some money for one of the poor groups in India, the brick makers, especially the children.

27989783_10156342043845466_1020400576_o

DSC_7862.1

It feels good to give back to some of the people that have taken their time to talk to me and let me take pictures.

Now I need to sit down and evaluate and see what I could have done differently so that I know until next time if I should decide to do this again.

Dear readers, thanks for your support !

 Category: Okategoriserade, Photo Exhibition    Tagged: , , , ,

 2 Comments

Brick by brick, earning 10 rupees=0.16 us $=1.37 Swe krona for 100 bricks !!!!

Posted on May 6, 2017

today I visited the brick makers again and brought some snacks for the kids but also some clothes for the youngest ones. I met the same family as I have done a couple of times before and they looked happy to see me again. I did meet a new girl in the family though..15 years old and they told me “not married yet”.

These poor people working long hours in the scorching heat every day. Today it was only 42 degrees Celsius and I was baking in the sun just  getting my pictures. They earn 10 rupees for every 100 bricks they make. The family moved here from Uttar Pradesh to work. Since this is an area where buildings are popping up everywhere and anywhere I guess the brick business is big bucks for the owners.

DSC_4021.1

DSC_4024.1

the smoke from these ovens are really unhealthy…

DSC_4032

it truly is hard work and I wish that everyone once in a while would think about how working conditions are for some people in this country…..

DSC_4036.1

15 years old and she told me she has only gone to school for a very short while

DSC_3980.1

brick by brick

DSC_3990.1

DSC_3996.1

DSC_4013.1

DSC_4053.1

DSC_4045.1

DSC_4093

DSC_4083.1

DSC_4067.1

DSC_4061.1

this was the girl I have met before and I asked her what she wished for and at that time she wanted to turn 18 to get fully paid….today I didn’t ask because she’s still not 18. She did look thinner than last time though and I wanted to know how she was but she just said fine. Just look at those eyes ! amazing…if you zoom in you’ll see me in her dark eyes.

I think this is one of my  favourite pictures ever.

DSC_4099

I’m happy that I have taken the time to visit some of these places while living here. My heart is always heavy when I leave but I think that’s good. I think that we who live a privileged life need to see to understand. We need to feel it into the bones to understand how fortunate we are.

 Category: Faces of India, Okategoriserade    Tagged: , ,

 2 Comments