SHIKARA, Srinagar, Kashmir, a photo from Jammu and Kashmir, North

Photographer's Note

SHIKARA

Shikaras are a type of wooden boat found on Dal Lake, and other bodies of water in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Shikaras are of varied sizes and are used for multiple purposes, including transportation of people.

Drivers use oars having a unique spade-shaped bottom to row the shikara. A usual shikara seats six people, with the driver sitting at the lower end.

Like the Venetian gandolas, they are a cultural symbol of Kashmir. Some shikaras are still used for fishing, harvesting weeds(usually for fodder) and transport in the deeper parts of Dal Lake, while most are covered with tarpaulins and are used by tourists.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Image scanned from 35mm colour negative using an Epson V500.]

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Critiques | Translate

alainh (35555) 2008-12-16 22:24

hello Kevin
simply splendid ! full of autenticity.
friendly
alain

Footprints (68) 2008-12-17 8:15

Exceptional! Framing and faces and choice of B&W just right. Kashmir is top on the list for my India visit. But I am somewhat fearful of the current unrest...

pabau (488) 2008-12-17 11:06

bonjour Kevin
very attractive and dynamic composition with this frame into the frame and the two opposite diagonals of the paddles.
but overall, thanks for the confidence established with this two persons. it isn't a stolen photography or a forced one. so the faces are bright.
pascal
ps : it's also an instructive photography