Satyaprakash (light of truth) Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hridaykunj. Gandhiji's home, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad. (Hriday meaning pure heart).

This was taken in Kasturba's bedroom (gandhiji's wife). Kasturba and Gandhiji had four sons, after which time, observed brahmacharya. Brahmacharya is absolute freedom from sexual thoughts and desires. It is the vow of celibacy. It is control of all the senses in thought, word and deed. In a narrow sense, Brahmacharya is celibacy. In a broad sense, it is absolute control of all the senses. The door of Nirvana (liberation) or perfection is complete Brahmacharya.

Kasturba was an ideal Hindu wife. She had tried to lose herself in him and his work. And yet she was not without a will of her own. She had a powerful personality and a strong will which could be neither bent nor broken. Bapu called her his teacher in Satyagraha. She refused to do what her heart and head did not accept. In the early days of their married life, it caused many a quarrel. The young husband soon learnt that he could not just order her about. He had to- convince her of the correctness of a particular step, but once that was done, she would go with him whole hog. This was Satyagraha. To try to touch the opponent's heart and convince him of the correctness of your own thinking, of your own step. Thus out of an experience which must have come the way of most husbands, Bapu discovered the mighty weapon of Satyagraha which led India to freedom.

Gandhiji believed that Truth is God. In my own quest for the ultimate truth, light is playing an important part. Both physically and symbolically.

Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually throughout the Kali Yuga: it is mostly referred to as the Dark Age, mainly because people are the furthest possible from God (truth). The description of Kali Yuga is an indication of its interpretive relevance in our current worldly existence. In short, things are messed up!

We are all responsible...

(much of the text taken from various sources)...

The Ramapir-no-Tekro slum (where I have been working) is supported by donations given to the Gandhi Ashram). They have many roles and have held a 14-year presence. Things are steadily improving...

Project: Underexposed - Lights in Dark Spaces

teutza, japiey, MLINES, nabarun, luisafonso, KevRyan, manatee has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saigon (5442) 2007-06-08 7:50

hello KAJAL.
verrygood composition!
bravo!
aldo.

fdo57 (127) 2007-06-08 7:52

This is a beautifull and inspiring picture. It has everything: a beautiful composition, great contrast but the best if the message: Did the woman come in just to stare at the wall? Congratulations.

delnaja (7708) 2007-06-08 7:55 [Comment]

Show Comment

ninaL (19250) 2007-06-08 7:56

Hi, Kajal.
Beautiful photograph with beautiful scene and with beautiful light.
I love it.
Best regards. Grazyna.

teutza (10558) 2007-06-08 7:57

HY Kajal,
this image is a masterpiece..the light is amasing!
the colours the same...
the presence of that human being just makes so speciall
teo

michiels (4170) 2007-06-08 8:01

hello Kajal ,

I like the play of dark and light. Great oranje colours! I like it very much, beautiful photo .
greetings, inn

nirvana_a (0) 2007-06-08 8:02

Hi Kajal,
Elegant photo... Great light and atmosphere.

Congrats.

Luko (13880) 2007-06-08 8:38

Wow, the tones and the lighting are really amazing here. Especially how the sari glows thrugh the dark, like a radiant light source. My kind of photo, on the edge of metaphor and reality.

I suppose you've been fiddling a while to get this, probably took the process where Nygus left it when he quit the site, not so long ago.

(hey please, Mrs.Spice, gimme some ideas where to go in India for august, I've asked Siddharta, he's turn my mind in a way I don't really know what to do now...)

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Dpbours (210) 2007-06-08 8:41

Hello Kajal,

That is just great. Love the light in this shot. Well, who wouldn't! You can just look at it for some time and it doesn't get boring. Good note as well! Great shot!!

Have a nice weekend! Dennis

Furachan (0) 2007-06-08 8:49

Stunning shot, aeas of darknes on both sides of your main focus, extraordinary mastery over light and some fine color work to boot.
A winner...
Francis

Darren (6815) 2007-06-08 10:41

Wow Kaj, this is great. I don't know that I have ever seen a better use of light on a sari. Steve McCurry would approve. This one also leaves me asking about what she is looking at, which is a good thing. An odd composition; technically I am not sure it is good, but emotionally it really does work, so let's go with the emotional bit. Great shot Kaj.

sidstakes (770) 2007-06-08 11:37

Hi Kajal,
This is so amazing! The light from the window seems to have illuminated something which has turned the lady's attention towards it...we don't know yet what that is...and she seems to be floating in the air...very ethereal...! This compostion is wonderful! Very classy work!
Regards,
Siddhartha

fixed (3831) 2007-06-08 11:44

hello Kaj
wonderfull photo!
I like a lot how you managed the space
crasy orange, lighting and post processing (maybe pp is a little to much pushed ... but sure, incredible picture ;) )
congratulation
nono

photographer123 (5698) 2007-06-08 12:11

hi..
what a great shot..use of light is very good..caption too..one thing I just want to know, what for she is standing there?..best wishes..subir

RADEEH (2762) 2007-06-08 12:12

Dear Kajal
For me this one is the best shot in your gallery. The lights colours , shadows,the atmosphere everything suits to a masterpiece. The first time i am coming across Gandhiji,s ( father of the nation ) home in TE. Why i mentioned "father of the nation" is , none of critiques have no mention about that great man. Many might have forgotten that.My salute to that great man who made India Independent. Great work.
Rgds
Radeeh

markoci (3917) 2007-06-08 12:31

perhaps a tad too much saturation for me too, and i also think it's a bit strange that she's looking at the bare wall (but maybe it's just may poor imagination for a proper interpretation?)... seems a little staged, i like your lively portraits better.. light is awesome though and the colour(s) is/are very pleasing, i thought it was a nygus shot too... (i think the black frame is unnecessary, first i thought it was in a film studio set)

japiey (9471) 2007-06-08 13:46

Kajal.

RADEEH has mentioned what i really wanted to say...

Salutes, for this divine image, and to you.

jean paul

arindam_thokder (3946) 2007-06-08 13:55

very well with the light, very well managed.... and subject wise a great picture. How was the exibition?

chc (1468) 2007-06-08 15:12

Hi Kaj
Your composition is great. I like the way light is mastered. The result is very graphic. Bravo
christophe

MLINES (10810) 2007-06-08 19:32

Hi Kajal. Unusual and very evokative photograph. The play of light and colours is remarkable. Well created and presented. Murray.

nabarun (332) 2007-06-09 7:24

hi Kajal!
this is one heck of a great image! absolute professional work!
regards,
Nabarun.

s10001in (1485) 2007-06-09 11:31

WOW,

Hey kaj,
One of the best Photo I ever seen.
I do not want to know what PP you have done or how you asked that lady to stand in that position.
But the results are exteremly Wonderful.
Great work.
-Regards,

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-06-10 2:57

OK, I am back to your site, and now with a new resolve to attempt to provide some comment...a matter that I had been avoiding for some time now. The reason for this avoidance was actually the gravity, depth, and the import of your photos and their subject.

I must tell you that you have enough here from your trip to do a serious exhibition. This particular one showcases the series. It is not searingly direct in its message as some of your others are. It is subtle, almost romantic, yet it appeals to the pathos almost immediately. There is something about a widow staring at a blank wall half illuminated with a ghostly light. Is there nostalgia there? Or is it mere curiosity. Whatever it is, this one is understated and poignant, quite as much as your others are direct in their appeal.
[Just a touch more burning of highlight out the door perhaps?]

RGatward (19737) 2007-06-10 18:38

Welcome back Kaj, I certainly think this is one of the most impressive recent shots, did you set this up, it looks like something from a mag, though knowing you I can image you talking her into just being herself, and waiting for the right moment.

PeterC (2242) 2007-06-11 3:47

Kaj,
Spectacular light and colours here. It really is a striking photograph. Your work from India really has been out of this world.

Cheers
Peter

vapours (7913) 2007-06-11 9:08

A brilliant orange theme here Kajal, as the light shines through that window directly onto your subject. Brilliant shadows as always.

luisafonso (858) 2007-06-19 4:15

It's all about light in this one. Even your subject is looking into the light. It can be a metaphoric statement and that boosts my interest for this one. The way the glowing colors of the sari match the golden light all around is amazing. I just wished you could have slightly painted the bright white wall (with a tender peach, maybe). It's too white for me... It's really an amazing light study. Once again...

ste (866) 2007-06-25 17:19

photo magique, la lumière aussi semble spirituelle!je suis beate devant tant de talent

BrianGraney (1734) 2007-07-14 15:07

Hi Kaj,
There's no escaping the quality of this image.
I am reminded of the Anthony Gormley sculpture in the crypt of Winchester cathedral - a figure simply standing there, contemplating.
Fantastic light and shape to this, it's really good.
Cheers
Brian

bnallama (3755) 2007-07-21 13:51

Hi Kaj.. the light is simply amazing... feel something magical here...

R u still in india? Hope u r doing good. Bala

manatee (4279) 2007-09-03 13:24

Hello kajal:

I was reading your crittic about my picture and i like it very much, thank you for look it in this detail, nobody do it and I'm glad you made it.

About your picture I'm waching and I like all, but I need to choose one and choose this because is amazing, looks like a magic, i like the ligth is asome, the shadow too, is like a magic woman, the ligth from the windows and door is undescritible and the other windows outside of the door made more misiticity to this pic.
Reciently i saw the movie Water, and I in love from India, I like the music, the food, the traditions (with exeption of the Castas) but the rest is amazing, India is one of my favorites conrtries do I would like to visit and I hope soon I will do it.
Have a nice day and thak you for sharing your pictures

Greetings from Mexico

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2007-10-09 19:52

damn! this one is tres cool! Great colours and comp, but it's the pose of the woman that makes it. Kinda like a brighter, more Indian ending to the Blair Witch Project. awesome.

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tamatree (241) 2007-11-11 1:17

Brilliant image!!!!

azizbilgili (1714) 2009-05-29 6:47

Wow...
Hi Kajal,
This is a beautifull and inspiring picture.
Superb light and colors...

TFS