In search of Shangri-La...part 1

[fahim mohammed]

Legend has it that across the plains, mountains and valleys in the highest mountain ranges of the earth one would find a mythical land. It was called Shangri-La. The brave and the pious resided there along with the gods.

The mortals would gaze towards the mountains in awe and reverence.

To reach Shangri-La, one had to have a dream and believe in that dream. One had to believe that it
existed. It was difficult to see; as the guardian mountains seemed to be always covered in mist. The mortals believed that this was nothing but the curtains used by the gods of Shangri-La.

The mortals would gather together behind their meagre shelters and thru the prayers that were passed
down to them since the mountains were formed, they would look longingly at the entrance to the home of the gods.

All around them they had strung the prayers to bring them good luck and wishing for the courage
to embark on the journey to the fabled land behind the mountains...the land of Shangri-La.

To be continued....

 

[Asher Kelman]

Legend has it that across the plains, mountains and valleys in the highest mountain ranges of the earth one would find a mythical land. It was called Shangri-La. The brave and the pious resided there along with the gods.

The mortals would gaze towards the mountains in awe and reverence.

To reach Shangri-La, one had to have a dream and believe in that dream. One had to believe that it
existed. It was difficult to see; as the guardian mountains seemed to be always covered in mist. The mortals believed that this was nothing but the curtains used by the gods of Shangri-La.

The mortals would gather together behind their meagre shelters and thru the prayers that were passed
down to them since the mountains were formed, they would look longingly at the entrance to the home of the gods.

Fahim,

You are inspired and inspirational! "To reach Shangri-La, one had to have a dream and believe in that dream." That, indeed is the basis for some of the best work of man. Turned upside down it's our worse nightmare. Here, however, high in the Himalayas, I imagine, you have found a sanctuary for the best of us who still make dreams fly on colored flags to the heavens.

I cannot leave this sacred place to go into technicals of your photographs right now, in this first response. Also the EXIFS are blank, perhaps as should be! We could address a litany of matters of craft and choices you made but at this point, I'm enjoying the experience too much.

Tell us more on how you got there, how long you spent and the folk you met. Don't even dare admit you didn't take some portraits, photograph groups and individuals or sample their food.

Asher

 

[fahim mohammed]

Asher, my good friend, I want to set something straight upfront. Most of the photographs in this
multi-part essay were taken by my wife and/or her guide. A few of mine are interspersed along the way.

The inspirational ones belong to them...in large part anyway !!

The people, the food, the beliefs, and a few odds and ends shall follow in due course.

The people, at least the ones I got to know quite intimately, could not be and were no less beautiful
or mysterious than the land of Shangri-La itself.

I have often wondered that people continue to search for Shangri-La when it might be staring one in the face itself. Such is the folly of mere mortals. maybe this is the reason that the quest for shangri-La never ends. At least I got a glimpse of it...

Regards.