The Betel Leaf Seller Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Betel Leaf Seller or Paanwala was at the Mandai or main market in Pune. He is one of many, in different lanes od the Mandai people sell different things. He was busy sorting out his betel leafs and quite oblivious to us clicking till some people called his attention to it

Chewing Betel leaves is an ancient practice in india... The Betel leaf is coated with lime (chuna) and catechu a combination which gives the rusty colour while chewing... chopped betel nuts and often even tobacco is added and the betel leaf is carefully folded to prevent any of it falling out.
Tobacco less paans are flavoured with many things including candy coated fennel seeds and used as mouth freshners after a meal.

The Betel leaf is supposed to have many healing properties besides being an aromatic stimulant it is also digestive, carminative, anti flatulent, anti inflammatory, invigorating, anti phlegmatic, and a pain reliever. It eliminates foul smell and is an antiseptic.

adores, siolaw, daddo, Preetie, jhm, papagolf21, mugush, Dyerco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

daddo (11263) 2007-08-30 2:37

Hi Pari. Brilliant green colour that really stands out against the darkish background. Very good light on the man also. Well done. Regards. Klaudio.

Preetie (431) 2007-08-30 7:55

Hi Pari,

You certainly seem to have got yourself a brilliant subject there..but I am not convinced about your POV,I feel u should have probably got a closer focus and focused on the stalks of leaves and the man's face..maybe a low angle shot would have been a better choice..but then maybe that was not an option..
TFS
Preetie

jhm (81637) 2007-09-02 3:22

Hello Pari,

The betel leaf seller of Paanwala show here a wonderful colour and great composition with are market products. This is a great artist, certainly are presentation of the products.
You took a wonderful picture, very well done.
Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

papagolf21 (55872) 2007-09-03 0:39

Bonsoir, cher Pari,
Un grand merci, Pari, pour cette prise de vue qui entre tout à fait dans l'esprit de TE. Apprendre par la photographie et par les notes d'accompagnement. J'ai beaucoup aimé votre album par sa diversité d'une part, et de sa qualité d'autre part.
Un grand merci, mon ami.
Philippe

mugush (2088) 2007-09-16 7:07

writting a critique on your picture after very long time, what i can see now is you are now into daily life which is impressive.
as far as this picture is concern tell you it is hard to cope with light in these condition when light out side is harsh and inside or behind the object is underexposure so you did a good job. i wanted to dow workshop on it but dont have time today,i might do one tomorrow..
thanks for sharing
mugush

Dyerco (8842) 2007-11-24 6:57

The leaves are definetly well shown here but it would have been nice to see a bit more light on the gentleman. From your write up perhaps that was not possible. Overall it is a nice shot of daily life.
Well done.
Phil

adores (15251) 2007-11-27 16:36

Hi Pari!
Seems you have been away for a while! I almost missed this photo and it's really very good. I guess I had never seen the leaves shown this awa. The composition is very good, showing the man calmly working. I even like the empty baskets under the table.I even like the drak background, I believe it gives more detail to the subject. Good work!

siolaw (25692) 2008-01-01 23:14

Hi Pari,
He must be a wholesale leaf dealer, as i see no trace of other ingredients around! Nice tender green of these leaves, good framing in a typical indian street environment.
I have also few Mumbai street shots, as you saw!
Friendly regards
Greetings from Goa ;D
Laurent

knowdebu (958) 2008-01-05 22:52

Hi Pari,
very well seen - a paan shop under a fig tree. liked the way the shopkeeper has kept the betel leaves.
Debabrata

mimagica (617) 2008-02-13 6:36 [Comment]