Safe and happy holidays to all of you Photo

Photographer’s Note

Medicine Man
------------
Got back from Kolkata few days ago. Hence the absence from TE. I will hopefully upload some pictures soon (Leaving for France tomorrow). Anyhow, wanted to start the series with this picture in this holiday season. I ran into this exceedingly enigmatic and charismatic Ayurvedic "Doctor" outside his tent on Mirza Ghalib Street (erstwhile Free Scholl Street). He is from Bihar (neighboring state of West Bengal)and is essentially a traveling medicine man. What's his expertise? Well, I can't read Hindi. My friend Arun helped me read everything written on the tent. Here it is verbatim:

"On the yellow banner:
Himalaya Ayurvedic Dawakhana (clinic)
In my camp there is a guaranteed cure for every
ailment. Diabetes, blood pressure, impotency,
bawasir (I don't know what that is), paralysis,
black spots, white spots, secret disease(read STD),
female-male (read alternate sexuality). Guaranteed
cure for all these. Right now.

On the green banner (left):
Weakness due to childhood mistakes, premature
ejaculation, low metal content,stomach ailment,
gastric liver, back trouble, ulcer, Vaat rog (no
idea what that is), kidney stone, epilepsy....

On the green banner (right):
Infertile women, menstruation trouble, Likodia,
stomach ailment, panic attack, nausea, sick
kids...."

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year to all of you.

Cheers

Prantik

nicol_g, bombilla, michiels, AnimeshRay has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bombilla (3402) 2007-12-18 13:21

Same to you, Prantik. Happy holidays and happy trails. I remember seeing these in signs when I was in West Bengal. This is a great photo. Seems like a wry advertisement. And the man, who perhaps thinks much of himself and his position, has a gallery of admirers to bolster him. Excellent work. Best, -Hugh

michiels (4170) 2007-12-20 12:48

hello Prantik,

:DDDD Super !!! ;D
this is so original ! i work in a hospital but we don't have doctors like this ;DD i like it very much !! it is really funny !! great shot, very nice with the man standing there, doubting what disease he has .... ;)
i whish you a healthy new year and looking forward for your serie !!
greetings,inn

Wanda1 (10923) 2007-12-30 19:58

Hi Prantik,
I love the posters and banners making for an interesting background. The stance and expression of the man is great and so is his hat.
Happy New Year!
Regards
Wanda

AnimeshRay (8886) 2008-01-04 15:19

The guy is a revolutionary medic--he cures sick kids by treating their mothers! Wow!
A nice one and hilarious commentary.