My World: Tibet

[fahim mohammed]

His Holiness, one of the 14 Dalai Lama...

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

A truly impressive photo Fahim.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Thanks a lot Cem. I am grateful for you giving me of your time and comments.

Access this close is usually limited, but not forbidden. But one can politely talk their way close..

 

[James Lemon]

His Holiness, one of the 14 Dalai Lama...

WoW..so cool Fahim! Impressive indeed.

James

 

[Asher Kelman]

His Holiness, one of the 14 Dalai Lama...

Fahim,

That's a pretty impressive title for 14 Dalai Lamas to have. Seems a bit of a Chinese manufacturing overkill! I had understood that the spirit enters the young Dalai Lama and that is that. How can there be 14.

Anyway it's all very impressive ritual and must be a thrilling experience to be part of.

To the best of my knowledge there is just one Dalai Lama and he's the 14th. I thought, hmm, perhaps he died and that's his funeral pyre, but as of June 25th 2015 he's still alive!

So what did you mean by "14 Dali Lama"? The man of that throne looks much younger than the 79 year old Dalai Lama!

Asher

 

[Antonio Correia]

The smoke, it's direction and all it's grey nuances, the monk with a calm and peaceful expression, the composition, the hole scenario, being in B&W, the square format, the detail in the person and ashes... contributes to the success of this image.

An image I would like I had done myself !

But... if this is in Tibet does it mean he is not the true Dalai Lama but a "servant" of the occupant/oppressor !

 

[Lee Tracy]

Such a pity that the monks present such a peaceful image, while representing years of oppression of the people of Tibet under the yoke of religion, while the Chinese who are presented as the oppressors are in fact the liberators and have brought freedom from oppression (serfdom and crippling poverty), invested huge amounts into Tibet building schools and infrastructure and stimulating economic growth.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Antonio, Lee..thank you for stopping by. Your comments are appreciated.

Now, not withstanding blown highlights or clogged up shadows; a scene in the midst of pilgrims...

 

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks a lot Cem. I am grateful for you giving me of your time and comments.

Access this close is usually limited, but not forbidden. But one can politely talk their way close..

Fahim,

Here my comments address your presence and the meaning of this ceremony to you and everyone shown. (Of course, the colors are delightful and exotic, in one hue, all the inheritance of Buddhism is evoked! That's the value of this rich color. For the form of your work, the B&W image, that follows, is more informative in the fabric of the matter.)

This is extraordinarily! You've essentially gotten yourself embedded in the throng of devotees. Is impressive how detailed and colorful these rites are. In case you run short of cash, National Geographic might want to use your pictures!

Did they even ask who you were or you just did your disarming smile and showed them your unassuming little black camera?

I do wonder who the various people are and what they do, who pays their keep and the like.

Interesting that all this "culture" is showcased in a communist, albeit post Mao Chinese regime! Are they treasured as relics or respected for their ancient beliefs or just flourished for tourism?

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

His Holiness, one of the 14 Dalai Lama...

Fahim,

Let me now address this extraordinary scene and excellent B&W photograph! (I have zero criticisms of your post processing as this successful work is not prepared for print.)

B&W, is indeed ideal to more fully experience the texture, forms and dynamic relations in this impressive scene. (Tibetan Saffron, BTW, is so cultural rich, it definitely is better removed to look under the immediate response to rich color which is so seductive.)

This is very rich in pattern in a magnificent scene that one is privileged to observe in person! Thanks for bringing this too us.

The diffuse live curling smoke reaches around, contrasting with the black reductively rectilinear monochrome soot-stained stone "shield" of the fire hearth below and to the right, complexly patterned tiles,

.................and then over all this, presides the priest in on a regal throne!

Kudos!

 

[fahim mohammed]

Asher, this is real life. Not for tourists. It is people freely practicing their faith.

and I have shown you examples of it elsewhere. As a matter of fact I purposely posted as my first image from the PRC, a Christian wedded couple in front of a Church.

Maybe you missed that one. Neither was that for tourists.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Asher, this is real life. Not for tourists. It is people freely practicing their faith.

and I have shown you examples of it elsewhere. As a matter of fact I purposely posted as my first image from the PRC, a Christian wedded couple in front of a Church.

Maybe you missed that one. Neither was that for tourists.

Thanks for your very fair observations! That's optimistic! What about Mosques? Do they flourish too, or you are not in that region?

Asher

 

[fahim mohammed]

 

[fahim mohammed]

Back to some photographs from Tibet...

 

[Antonio Correia]

The first one I love it ! The light from above is just great. I love it ! The works, the detail...

The other two remind me very much Norbulinka Institute in Dharamsala, India. A place where one can find Tibetan refugees.

 

[Lee Tracy]

I love the last one - that plastic bucket - a symbol of modern life just jumps out amidst all the ancient stones, even the tree in the foreground feels ancient, and then one's eye is drawn to the blue and white bucket.

 

[fahim mohammed]

I seem to be running short of postcards and stamps!!

So a last one to end the postcards from the PRC ( and Tibet )...a very simple, non brain taxing, or artistic
view from a boat in Tibet.

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

I seem to be running short of postcards and stamps!!

So a last one to end the postcards from the PRC ( and Tibet )...a very simple, non brain taxing, or artistic
view from a boat in Tibet.

It may be simple but it made an impression on me Fahim. Mainly because I have never seen such a scenery of water from Tibet before. We all expect to see mountains but do not think about lakes at all. A very refreshing view, thanks for showing it.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Lee, Cem.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Lee Tracy]

There are a lot of lakes in Tibet. There are also wetlands, grasslands and yes mountains.

How about some Tibetan music?

Ajia Song for the Yushu Earthquake in 2010

Ajia (or Acha Tsendep) is an all girl Tibetan band who mostly sing traditional Tibetan songs with a modern interpretation.

One my favourite pieces - recorded live by a tourist in Tibet of throat singing. This is a repost of the original which I can't find. Throat singing is indigenous to Tibet, Mongolia and Tuva. The instrument is the morin khuur.

Tibetan Rap - because well ... why not. The group is JLD, the song is "Ancient City of Lhasa"

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Fahim

Love the first photograph! just so awesome a catch… the smoke,ambiance,the sacred but relaxed feel -

Charlotte-