Off sick... Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

I went to visit Narmadaben yesterday. I wanted to invite her to see her portrait which is currently hanging at a place named SEVA cafe. However, when I got there, I realised that she was terribly ill and had been off work for over a week. The 50rupees she usually earns per day was not only missing due to her sick days, but she was also forking out an extra 50 rupees per day for medicine. Luckily, her husband is a) not an alcoholic, b) is working...therefore was out earning the day's money. His income will pay for the medicine. I did not dare to ask how they would pay for their dinner that evening.

Narmadaben's children seemed to be quite badly behaved, but as the evening progressed, I realised what a fundamental role they played in the house - from sweeping the floor to making the dinner to sorting the rubbish which Narmadaben collects...daily.

She tells me that this illness occurs monthly.

Project: Underexposed - Lights in Dark Spaces

jussipee, gabrielpat, designsoul, scalerman, PeterC, noborders, Jacobp, s10001in has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jussipee (10) 2007-05-13 6:52

This tells mothers exhaustion. Depressing kitchen cans, kitchen equipment frame is in your picture.
That "luckily" list was clear. This picture is also worth with 10 points, but no need.
Telling a lot under mothers day. Childs looks like hopefull.
Thanks Kajal.
Regards
Jussi

Furachan (0) 2007-05-13 7:06

Stark theatricality, to this one, Kaj, with resulting deep colors highlighting the plight of this poor woman, as a youth that will not understand plays on...
Powerful stuff,
Francis

gabrielpat (6553) 2007-05-13 7:45

Photo as comment are very interesting.
a real intimity.

designsoul (21394) 2007-05-13 10:10

You've handled the light and vignetting in the best possible way, throwing the light on the focal point, here the mother in pain, with her children trying to alleviate it. A beautiful and very moving work, a fine if sad upload for this Mother's day. Tremendous works you've brought back from India, Kaj. Superb and a must to exhibit.
How are you?
sasa

nhathuy (235) 2007-05-13 11:02

A picture with mixed feeling for the poor house but warmed with children-and-mother love. I found the eyes of that little child really heart moving.

TFS,
Huy

partha (13667) 2007-05-13 11:39

Hi Kajal,
It gives the indise look of India.Good PP as well.
Regards.
partha

Sharee (312) 2007-05-13 21:06

This picture brought tears to my eyes; so sad and pitiful.

PeterC (2242) 2007-05-14 0:52

Kaj,
Nice to see another widerangle shot in the series. Lovely use of light and your PP is again excellent. A very tender moment beatifully captured.

Cheers
Peter

scalerman (25787) 2007-05-14 0:56

K: this is a powerful image: very poignant, very powerful, full of pathos. Difficult to digest really. regards, c

noborders (14201) 2007-05-14 12:36

Very moving story, I like this kind of subjects a lot - hope that the mother is better now...
TFS, Bravo,
Cath.

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-05-14 16:16

An incredible human document, Kajal. One of the most touching contributions to TE, or anywhere. The tension, the helplessness, the anxiety of the little children, are all vivid.

[What are her symptoms, if I may ask? Does she have high fever at some regular intervals? What medicine has she been taking?]

waseemkhan (1070) 2007-05-15 12:23

Hi Kajal ,
A picture with mixed feeling for the poor house but warmed with children-and-mother love. I found the eyes of that little child really heart moving......
well don
waseem khan

Jacobp (798) 2007-05-18 12:45 [Comment]

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hoorge (1434) 2007-06-02 11:47

Kajal,

This is a very touching picture and your note reflects it too. Looks like a very typical poor life scene from a village in India. It's heart breaking to see these people suffer and be so helpless. The shot is very well captured, with enough lighting to highlight what's necessary. This picture is a teaching to all of us in the world.

p.s. I am very impressed with your photo collection and your skills as a photographer.

s10001in (1485) 2007-06-07 22:34

More documentry shot..telling story.
Again, you are knowning well now how to handle the light.
& Even a low light you are manging well the properly exposed ares & under exposed areas.
Photography is just not a fun for you..but it is something Much more..
Much much more..
May be Photography is the BEST thing happned in your life I feel!!!

Keep it up.
-Regards,

kinginexile (2440) 2007-06-10 17:14

You have a great approach to your subjects, Kajal, obviously, feeling much empathy, and also, a very personal way with the light, that's also not so obvious. At the same time, looking at a few pix from your gallery which I discover galdly, I tend to think your timing may not be the best, as if you resorted to family snapshot style.

For example, here, the kid on the left, his stare which for the viewer goes nowhere, destroys a bit the mood of the scene, which I find both powerful, seminal, but private still, because your POV shows respect to the family. there is no shock value in this shot, yet, the movements of the limbs from each one are a choreography of pain, duty but affection too, all rendered tastefully, but unmistakably.