The Offering Photo

Photographer’s Note

On the last day of a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, the place where the Buddha gained enlightenment, there was a ceremony of Takbat, where the lay people give offering to the monks. There were hoards of people and many,many monks and, I guess, that there was little left when it cam to the turn of these little Indian novices at the back of the line. They have been given 20 rupees each of Sri Lankan money and an orange between the two. The money has no value here in India, but they were so proud and overjoyed with their gift that they begged to have there picture taken to record the great moment. It is touching in India to see these young novices so thrilled at such a small gift. I guess that they had never been given a gift before.

thaprem, hispic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (8080) 2009-09-14 3:16

A quite moving shot and note Kevin
Colors, sharpness and light are excellent
I like their posture
regards
patrick

PixelTerror (86254) 2009-09-14 4:04

Hi Kevin
Agree they both look very proud and happy, now they just need to learn how to speculate on the value of the Sri-Lankan roupie at the stock exchange ;-)
Have a nice day JY

thaprem (2494) 2009-09-14 8:56

Kevin
I normally Abhor the money thing in photo. But in this case I find this is an entirely different story with some emotion for emotion sake....
Sharpness and expression speaks volume...
But still the view of the cash in hand still gives me jibes :) - But that is my deep reluctance I guess.
Cheers,
Prem.

TopGeo (21891) 2009-09-14 10:28

Hi Kevin! Very expressive portraits the eyes! the persons cleanliness! and the sentimental charge! they give in your picture a great value! perhaps much bigger the money! and the food! but the soul and the feelings and the messages!!!
Bravo
Georgios

stevesaba (3862) 2009-09-14 11:49

Hi kevin!
Great to see another upload....and what a charming one it is! Beautiful crystal clarity, and lovely uncluttered framing. Good notes too! Nice work, kind regards from Canada, cheers,
Steve

delkoo (34414) 2009-09-14 13:35

hi kevin,
Bihar is certainly one of the poorest state of india,
this photo is very touching,
I'm almost hypnotized by their large dark eyes.

didier

hispic (7399) 2009-09-14 20:11

Hi Kevin,
Your note solved my confusion of India with Sri Lanka. The two novice monks seem happy and proud. This is a very good photo to show us a life of young monks.
Regards, Hisashi

ifege (1855) 2009-09-15 3:38

Another of your great people shots Kevin, except for this one being in India. As far as I know Bihar is a very poor state so gifts are probably not very common. Their faces say it all.
Cheers
Ian