The Perfect faces of Ladakh



I don't remember if I was ever so curious to click portraits on any of my previous trips anywhere. And I don't think any thing has changed except the camera. As-a-matter-of-factly.. that is a mighty change indeed. The 18-135mm Canon lens is exceptional for taking close in pictures.

As we know, the life in Ladakh is really harsh. The people who live there have only Summer's to look forward to, I believe (but I found Summer chill engulfing my body too). Because that is when the tourists start coming in and the Ladakhi's open their hearts to them. They are always smiling, cheerful and ever ready to pose for you.

The monks too are really cordial and radiate warmth. They readily mingle with tourists and are always ready to fulfill most whims and fancies of tourists.


 While in Lamayru, this young monk was running from pillar to post to make senior monks comfortable and was always wearing a smile. He readily posed for me when I asked for one.




I saw her the day when we reached Lamayru, but didn't have the courage to ask her to pose for me. When I finally did, I noticed she was continously chanting mantras. It was then I regretted asking her because I thought that may break the train of chants, but she was as serene as ever.


We met the two monks at the Diskit monastery. These gentlemen were eager to know where we had come from and where we were headed to. Knowing we are from Mumbai, one of them mentioned it is a huge city and they are not used to living in such places. But they will be visiting Bangalore soon. The monastries where they live send them to other monastries so that there is interaction between monks.



The two gentlemen above were present at one of the richest monastries of Ladakh - Hemis. The monastery is a home to more than 100 monks, has a huge museum and a souvenir shop. These monks stay at the place, meditate and act as care-takers of the museum and the shop.
==========================================================================

It has been a while I brought my camera but I have never attempted clicking kids. This was my first time and they haven't disappointed. Moreover, the kids in Ladakh have perfect and photogenic faces. I would never resist clicking them ever.

At Lamayuru monastery


At Pangong


Comments

  1. Sang4uNovember 16, 2014 at 12:23 AM

    Its always nice to see you as a writer or as a photographer or as a VJ or a karate kid and to be a good writer or a good photographer you have to be a good human who you are with such a good heart....I am a fan of you writing when you write something and your photography when you click... Also wanted to hear you out please inform us about your upcoming shows buddy.....and if possible please meet we will be ready with pen and autograph book for you. Please always keep writing....clicking and don't forget to sing toooooooo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vishal JoshiNovember 16, 2014 at 7:09 PM

    Really appreciate Sang4u for your comments. Keep visiting the blog and keep posting comments :-))

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownNovember 18, 2014 at 2:48 PM

    Amazing clicks bro...Calling yourself an amateur is understatement. Loved the pics and story around it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vishal JoshiDecember 4, 2014 at 9:30 PM

      Thanks Tej for your comments. Keep coming to the blog!!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rangeelo Rajasthan - Udaipur

Image
A two-night stay in Jodhpur was quite an experience. Our next destination was Udaipur. I thought Udaipur was a quiet town but I was wrong. Udaipur town is huge and well populated. Whichever place we have been to in Rajasthan, traffic followed us. And Udaipur is no better when it comes to traffic. We spent a couple of desperate moments looking for our hotel Thamla Haveli . Finally, I called up the hotel and they sent a boy to look for us. We met at a specific place and were later ushered into the hotel. Since we had opted for a lake facing room, we were asked to go to the top (second) floor which had an amazing view of the beautiful lake Pichola. After checking-in, I stayed put at the window to have a glimpse outside. There were many people boating in the lake. In Udaipur, since many buildings are located close to each other, I could see nearby hotels and its residents resting and eating. Some were sun-bathing with their clothes on.  I heard some bird-calls in the nearby tree. Su...
Read more

What exactly is Prithvi Shaw’s problem?

    By the time of your reading this one, Australia has won the first test match by 8 wickets. In my mind’s eye, I could see Virat Kohli packing his bags, preparing to leave for India for the birth of his first child.   I still believe the Indian captain is the only one capable in the current lot to take the team forward after a performance which was lacking in intent but sadly, he will not take any further part in the series leaving severe headaches for Rahane & company to deal with. The Indian team was all out for a paltry 36 and the way they surrendered was unprecedented .   One of the reasons why India lost was of course the start provided by the openers wasn’t good as it should have been… specially Prithvi Shaw the under-19 sensation.   We have seen Rahul Dravid on many occasions and in Adelaide as well when in 2003 he singlehandedly won us a test match. Whenever Dravid played it appeared he treated every delivery with utmost respect be it his fir...
Read more

What would I want to tell my daughter about Diego Maradona?

  I try telling my daughter about Diego Maradona but she shrugs and continues playing with her dolls. She escapes when I persist. She never returns so I catch hold of her to tell her about Maradona's dribbles, his audacity, his shrewdness and the ‘Hand of God’. She listens as if un-listening. She enquires about her birthday gift. I tell her I would buy her a no. 10 Argentina jersey with Maradona’s name printed at the back. She makes faces and is not interested. Knowing well that lives of great sportsmen can inspire, I hit the keyboard to draft a letter for her to read in the future… to tell her about Maradona hoping she would seek inspiration from it few years down the line. That letter goes this way…   My dear Vidita, Diego Maradona? Who? You’d wonder. Different things to different people, I’d say. To some he was like a graceful dancer with the ball at his feet. To others he was a brilliantly gifted footballer but also flawed. To many like me, he was a gen...
Read more