"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", a photo from West Bengal, Est

Photographer's Note

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

Maya Angelou

See workshop for the scrapbook

isabela_sor, tehanu_f, ybaki, ktanska, photographer123, ramesh_lalwani, dijjac, powoj trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

isabela_sor (47748) 2007-08-30 8:53

Namaste
Lovely lovely poem!!!But still,why is caged there the little kid?That cage in the middle and the kid are the central elements and for sure we all are asking about the story behind of this image ...his look.....
All the best
Isabela

kajspice (4542) 2007-08-30 9:06

Oh, Animesh...this is simply beautiful..

I have been watching your last few uploads with envy. I am so busy at the moment, but desperately seeking for inspiration. I found it in your recent images.. Especially this one..

Those eyes...those eyes! I can't tell you how this makes me feel..

ALSOM (6616) 2007-08-30 10:05

Man, this is brilliant, that's a decisive moment, pure HCB's legacy, his face is simply priceless ... Beyond the technical aspect of it, this photo conveys a timeless feeling ...
One would wonder what this boy is doing there and what he's glancing at !
Thanks.
Alain -

[2]

wolf38 (30) 2007-08-30 10:25

Hello Animesh. What can one say to this perfect photo still additionally? Nearly nothing. It speaks for itself. The poem is the kongenial text in addition. The photo gets an honour place. Best regards, Wolfgang.

tehanu_f (6896) 2007-08-30 11:26

Hi Animesh,
I love Maya Angelou and I remember studying this poem at school. It really becomes the photo. You captured kid's expression very well. He looks like a tiny inmate / bird in a tiny jail / cage.
Best regards.
Fusun

Luko (14000) 2007-08-30 12:34

You're really hitting the target (at least my own) on your last postings, Animesh.
I prefer not thinking what he is doing caged like this. The walking umbrella hits a sweet spot too.

I wonder whether you have recently changed your scanner or your scanning method, I have rarely seen such detail quality.

sidstakes (772) 2007-08-30 13:19

This is really a moving photograph Animesh, what an expressive stare from those school going cages! Pleased to see something so common a sight in Calcutta being represented so well and so elegantly...this is really a gem of a picture, and it stands out starkly like that stare...

LamCam (3717) 2007-08-30 13:59

Hello Animesh
A marvellous but disturbing image - to see this 'caged' child in an ordinary street.
Perfectly framed and with such clear details.
This one will stay in the mind.
Best Wishes Maggie

designsoul (17843) 2007-08-30 14:23

Oh I cannot write of this, Animesh, it's waay too powerful for me to put my emotions into words. I let Maya Angelou do that and just send you my awe at this wonder. A vision. Poetry, with superb tones... this is a magical world indeed.
Into my favs!
sasa

ninaL (21348) 2007-08-30 14:38

Hi, Animesh.
Very strong picture.
I suppose that the "cage" is a just a protection of a vehicle, but I've never went to India, so, is a very unusual view for me...My first question was..."but why this kid in prison" ? and I took some seconds to understand that it could be a car...
You caught here an interesting expression of this kid. I like the enviromment, also...
Very good photograph.
Best regards. Grazyna.

jumar (27) 2007-08-30 14:56 [Comment]

Show Comment

Homerhomer (4080) 2007-08-30 14:56

I can only echo what others have already said my friend, this photo really hits the spot for me, so sad, yet you present it with such a class, no sensation, just poetry that brings tears to my eyes.

I am in awe, this one is a masterpiece like few others.
Peter

partha (14023) 2007-08-30 18:44

Its not an easy task to have such shots. there are lot of crilicalities like focussing the girl manually, clicking at the perfect moment and composition. U have done all this things with expertise.
Partha

Clairedelune (4923) 2007-08-30 19:29

Hello Animesh,
For sure, a photo that raises emotions. Especially with this poem from Maya Angelou. We can't help it, to see a caged little bird here... The irony - for me - is that I always believe that education could be, somehow, a way to freedom...
This is my favorite of the series, especially because of the passing umbrella woman and the eyes of the child who seems to look at her, even though he can't see her actually.
You obviously found an excellent recipe for rendering the photo on the web, because the quality is impressive. There is a richness in tones and in details, a depth, that are truly a delight for the eyes.
And that small detail: the fingers gripping the grille...
Claire

prezntime (3946) 2007-08-30 20:05

Damnit...I want to go shooting with you Animesh. I think you definately have a style all your own and I'd be very interested in watching you take photos...well, great shot none-the-less. I applaud your recent improvement of scanning technique, the negatives look great.
Great expression on the child as well.

Chris.

shirazray (12) 2007-08-30 22:59

Though in all probability only a school van, the photo does make it look like a cage.I think the eyes of the kid did the trick. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Stunningly beatiful!

Furachan (0) 2007-08-30 23:46

Damn, you are on a roll, Animesh! Beautiful title, apt as can be and a picture which bursts upon on once opened and won't let go. Tremendous sense of place here, solid focus on your "bird" while the background melts into, not just bokeh but smoky, monsoonish vagueness.
Absolutely brilliant 0- your Indian pics are absolute knockouts, pure and simple.
Francis

ktanska (44804) 2007-08-31 5:05

Hi Animesh,
Your series of India seems to be more interesting than shots from other places. This one is bizarre and genius. Wonderful impression and the woman walks by on just the right moment. What's going on is irrelevant this time.
Kari

photographer123 (6248) 2007-08-31 6:32

HI animesh..
wonderful shot..tonal variation of this shot are very very good..subject is also..I think it would be more better if you placed the boy little left , keep more space on right side and keep full the lady"s feet....although beside this its very good one...well done...best wishes..subir

markoci (3933) 2007-08-31 8:08

gorgeous... hard to add to what've been said already... indeed an amazing improvement in the quality of your shots recently, this one is absolutely perfect, your metering was spot on.. an awesome scan.... and of course a decisive moment, if i'd need to nitpick just wish the woman wasn't cropped so tight...

i wonder if you talked to him? why was he "caged"?

alagarcia (252) 2007-08-31 8:10

great coexistence of word and image
regards
alicja

alimo3 (6854) 2007-08-31 12:11

This is a great picture ,
a lots a emotion ,perfect timming and delightful gaze of the boy,
i also like the effective composition and the soft warm tones.
Congrat.

Tom

Brian (3) 2007-09-01 13:13

Hi Animesh,
This one of yours really stood out to me. I like his stare off to the side, and the woman walking past with her face turned in the oposite direction. I think the tones are perfect.

Take care,
Brian

polter (7239) 2007-09-01 13:21

So impressive and unexpected. Taking the onlooker unaware. Great quality of the photo and great quality as a theme to think it over and over and... Great photo. Greetings T.

Galeota (10352) 2007-09-01 23:55

Touching text and photograph. The tones and the grain of the Tri-X are sooo aesthetic, so difficult to emulate with digital photography. I love the fine detail on the rickshaw and the child, who seems to be emprisoned, at first sight, in a life where you're allowed only a glance towards the outside world. I think your country of origin is always very inspiring for your photography.

chc (1468) 2007-09-04 2:22

Simply marvellous...

yanseiler (20) 2007-09-06 6:58

Hi Animesh, this neighborhood looks quite interesting... Anyway beside the kid's attitude, I pretty like the game between the umbrellas, lucky to have the kid's attitude, the 2 bumbrellas well placed at the same time, a nice one...

cmatesiu (104) 2009-01-20 17:10