The swansong? Photo

Photographer’s Note

Near the Jaisalmer Palace, a folk musician was playing a Rajasthani folk song on the handmade instrument Khamaicha, a four stringed instrument. Made of mango wood, goat skin and goat intestines, this four stringed instrument is basic to Rajasthani folk music. Melody flowing in the air and tourists flocked around him!

After his rendition, I sat down and offered a cup of tea. While having tea together, I came to know about his instrument, his songs and his way of life. "When metaphors die, ideas pass away and a way of thinking is buried," he said in Hindi (This statement haunted me for a long time...such evocative words!) . He was not a linguist. He was a musician. "I see today’s generation ignore the Khamaicha. I can’t help it. Music, like language, can provide only a metaphor for a way of life. When people lose a way of life, their language struggles to survive."

Is Khamaicha really in the last leg of its run? Will the sweet music coming of this rustic instrument die out? I captured him, when he was in full flow with his Khamaicha.

It’s a somewhat heavy feeling for us, who are in this site for a while now, with some of the illustrious members closing their accounts & moving out of TE. But for all who are still here, let’s keep it going, because I do believe that we can still learn a lot by participating actively in this site.

besnard, bakes888, karthikcs, ribeiroantonio, pauloog, patdeph, JudyR, Urs, jhm, PaulVDV, avene, hispic, pierrefonds, Bluejeans, BurhanettinMasa, josepmarin, dip, bukitgolfb301, adores, batalay, edytungkal, John_F_Kennedy, siolaw trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

besnard (30904) 2009-06-17 23:00

Bonjour Angshuman
Un très beau portrait net et coloré. C'est de l'excellent travail.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

jasmis (50761) 2009-06-17 23:07

Excellent portrait of a musician. Superb smile. Great portion of exotics.
Regards my dear friend.

bakes888 (18257) 2009-06-17 23:07

Hi Angshu. Excellent capture and fitting note. Excellent colours and good details. Good defocused BG also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

karthikcs (271) 2009-06-17 23:18

Angshu,
This is really lovable shot. I liked the expression on old man's face. elderly people have some charm on their face.. Wrinkles on face have added a superb dramatic expression.

I would love to see this pic in B&W. I will try an WS

[workshop] [compare] +

ribeiroantonio (21957) 2009-06-17 23:25

It is an excellent portrait with superb sharpness and colours. I really like all the detail on his face and instrument. Also your note is very informative. Thanks for that. Well done,
Antonio

ghilain (1714) 2009-06-17 23:40

hello Angshu,

Magnifique portrait!
Très grande netteté et excellentes couleurs.
je l'ai mis dans mon thème "the old people".

TFS

brigitte

LOOOK13 (3113) 2009-06-18 0:15

Salut.Magnifique cliché,avec des couleurs superbes et une netteté extraordinaire.Le bleu derriere est sensas...
A bientot.

everlasting (10936) 2009-06-18 0:47

I saw the title and quickly had to read through the note - I thought with alarm that this may be your swansong. It is a shame that so many have recently left, this is the second big exodus that I have witnessed. A couple of years back, i dont know if you remember, we had the sudden departure of good photographers and friends. I thought then that TE wouldnt be the same - and it wasnt, the tight-knit community had expanded to a wider audience. But nothing stays the same and I for one have had fun here over the past couple of years and made new friends and had the opporunity to admire new work and to continue this learning process. So sure, Angshu let's keep it going, there is still much to learn, a;lthough looking at this image I wonder.:)
Excellent work - thast all I can say!

v4vjk (26) 2009-06-18 0:54

very nice photo, u have captured expressions of the person very well...

yquem46 (8215) 2009-06-18 1:36

namaste Angshu
What a turban, what a portrait of this musician !
many of them hanging around jaisalmer fort but unfortunately I missed this one
Nice color saturation not overdone
Bravo
patrick

pastadog (12821) 2009-06-18 1:39

Very successful portrait, Angshu, carefully crafted with the inclusion of his instrument, the ornaments on his ears, the details on his face (wrinkles, etc.), and the colorful turbant, all superbly captured, congratulations, Daniel

pauloog (6701) 2009-06-18 2:23

Hello Angshu,
What a fine and detailed portrait of thsi wrinkled face, accompanied by the strong colours of the turban. The insertion of part of the music instrument gives extra meaning and context to the photo.
I believe all the fuzz on the future of the site is a bit over the top and I hope things will calm down soon and be reduced to real proportions.
Regards,
Paul

patdeph (18106) 2009-06-18 3:27

namaste Angshuman
this is a very nice portrait,the color of the turban is splendid!The man has an interesting expression,I wonder if he is singing!I like very much the instrument beside his head!Superb!
Regards
Pascale

eversmile (6307) 2009-06-18 4:51

Hi Angshu,

That sounds right to propose the picture of a musician under those circumstances!
Doesn't "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast" ?! The vivid turban is eye-catching, and I also like your composition, with the neck of the khamaicha on his shoulder next to his sharp face.
Regards
Marine

JudyR (877) 2009-06-18 7:02

Wonderful detailed and colorful portrait of this man and his instrument. Much food for thought in his words as well. Thank you, Judy

zmey (7282) 2009-06-18 7:36

that's quite a character, Angshuman! what's up with the old boy's teeth? those fangs do not seem natural...

but yes, let's keep it rolling ;)
kristaps

Urs (3064) 2009-06-18 8:20

Dear Angshuman

You would not belief it, but I guess I have met this musician in Jaisalmer in 1986. At that time there was the desert festival and I was a guest of the Government of India Tourist Office. I still remember the encounter with this musician. Unfortunately these color slides I have lost in Switzerland when I shifted my home to Bangkok.

I really like your picture, it has a lot of expression, sharpness and vivid color. It's gives you the feeling that the guy will start talking to you right away. Well done

Best regards
Urs

jhm (82949) 2009-06-18 9:42

Hello Angshu,

After three days without pc, I am back.
Excellent portrait of these musician.
The eyes and teeth are superb, sharpness and clarity are nice. TFS.

Warmest regards,
John.

PaulVDV (5292) 2009-06-18 11:03

Hello Angshu,
Excellent portrait of this musician.
Perfect sharpness and beautiful colours.
Best regards, Paul

gneufeld (15223) 2009-06-18 11:26

Hi Angshuman,
Wow, an awesome presentation of the aging beauty of what may have been a hard life. Excellent light, colors, and details. Well done and TFS. Gerald

janink (1038) 2009-06-18 12:03

Beautiful portrait Angshuman - it's intersting and
natural. Great composition, very well sharpned.
Well done!
Regards Ingrid.

MarianneS (14350) 2009-06-18 12:51

Hello Angshu,
What an impressive portrait with so many details!!!
I like the superb colours around this musician.
I wonder how a square format would work, cutting the upper part of his beautiful turbant.
I am glad I am back on TE to enjoy when I see so many beautiful photos!
Cheers,
Marianne

hispic (7399) 2009-06-18 20:08

Hello Angshuman,
Powerful portrait, strong sharpness makes his wrinkled skin deeper, it's very impressive, and the yellow turban is a perfect match for him. Deep impressive work!
Regards, Hisashi

avene (11068) 2009-06-18 20:14

hell Angshuman,
before I read the note, I though that "swan song" referred to the man himself, he looks very old :) fascinating note, I've always though it was difficult to find the balance between preserving traditions and avoiding stagnation at the same time.
excellent portrait, I like a lot how the line of his instrument frames the man's face. I'd prefer a little more clarity, but it might be because of the tiny laptop screen I'm using right now.

best,
Kristine

Graal (58367) 2009-06-19 0:24

Hi Angshuman,
amazing face and portrait. Good shot. Well quality of photo and interesting note. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

pierrefonds (26479) 2009-06-19 5:18

Hi Angshuman,

The portrait has captured well the expression of the musician with his instrument. The subject is well framed. The picture is clear and sharp. The surrounding light is enhancing the colors. have a nice day.

Pierre

Bluejeans (32715) 2009-06-19 5:40

Oi amigo ,
Que grande retracto deste homem sem dentes :), os detalhes e cores ficaram fantásticos foi uma bela captura, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

marietom (32052) 2009-06-19 11:09

hello Angshu,

superbe expression dasn ce magnifique portrait, bravo.
Bonne soirée
marie

josepmarin (33893) 2009-06-19 12:42

Hi, my friend Angshuman,
This one is a portrait executed impeccably. Its quality of image shows us all the details of the face of this musician, with a very interesting and spontaneous expression.
It is an impressive photo, with a great sharpness in spite of 1/30s without tripod.
An excellent work.
Warmest regards,
Josep

dip (12714) 2009-06-19 13:00

Hi Angshu,
what a portrait!
excellent captured with amazing clarity natural colors,
very well done!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

plimrn (19688) 2009-06-19 22:22

Hi Angshu,
Great portrait, like others, I like the way you framed him with his instrument. The note is wonderful, I'm so glad you had a cup of tea with him. His message is profound, "When metaphors die, ideas pass away and a way of thinking is buried."

Therefore, I am glad you decided to stay. I have learned so much about India that I would have never known without your photos and notes. To me the site is more about learning about the world than protecting my
'wonderful' photos from being stolen - but of course that may be that I don't plan to sell my photos. In any case, I miss Fulvio and Henk. Who do you miss?

Sorry I'm so slow responding, we've been struggling with decisions that have no clear-cut answers, in spite of extensive research and it leaves me little energy for anything else.

HLj, Pat

Felip (3905) 2009-06-20 13:01

What an excellent portrait Angshu.
Colours are vivid and well saturated.
The details of the wrinkles in the face of the man and its turbant are spectacularly well shown.
Compliments

Felip

bukitgolfb301 (4805) 2009-06-20 16:22

Hello my dear Prof. Angshuman

What a wonderful shot ! That is a perfect portrait shot, I like very much. But it is rare for you to take a straight portrait---.
Congratulation on your great job !

Thanks for sharing and best regrds

Takero

adores (15683) 2009-06-20 16:57

Hi Angshuman!
What a portrait you have here!Ilike every single detail, including his ear rings and the musical instrument. So well framed, with good colours and focus.

AiresSantos (42544) 2009-06-21 1:03

HI Angshu
Amazing portrait of this man. Beautiful colours and fine light
Well caught his expression
Have a nice week
Aires

edytungkal (4519) 2009-06-21 21:09

What a perfect portrait.....
That colours and the clarity of this picture is really oustanding. Great shot Angshuman and its an interesting story behind it. Thanks

daniel

John_F_Kennedy (31761) 2009-06-22 1:08

Wonderful portrait, great expressions captured. Well seen and composed

Best wishes,
Achim

MarcT (21103) 2009-06-23 13:12

Hi Angshuman,
Great portrait. I like his glance and his missing teeth...
Cheers
Marc

siolaw (25798) 2009-06-27 0:33

Hi Angshu,
You found an interesting character there! A funny smile too.. The expo is good and tight framing emphasizes this nice looking man! Interesting note about the instrument too.; is it similar to the sarangi?
Greetings
Laurent

Waylim (10995) 2009-06-30 23:56

Sabaidee Angshu,
The face said so much, so much is writen on this face, way of life, tradition, each wrinkles has a heart breaking story behind it. You have an opportunity to sit down and chat with him, that is such a great thing to do, I guess you can learn so much from someone of this age and a musician is as you said a poet, an artist, with great metaphor.
Thanks for sharing.
Way

jmcl (14013) 2009-07-04 8:51

Hi Angshuman,

Wonderful story .. wonderful sentiment .. thoughtful words. The portrait it is so vivid .. every element is unique and striking .. the interaction of color and persona is amazing. Take care, John

manojtnair (427) 2009-07-17 21:46

hi angshuman,
nice portrait of this folk musician. the expressions are captured well. his words are profound. tfs.
manoj

barrufeto_77 (25885) 2009-08-25 0:55

Hi Angshuman.

The details and the colours are...excellent!

For sure, an excellent portrait!

My compliments!

jafadabret (40023) 2009-11-12 23:04

Bonjour Angshu.
Ce portrait crève l'écran avec la couleur du turban et l'expression de ce musicien. Du très beau travail !
Bonne journée !
Amicalement
Jacques