Sitting Pretty, a photo from Bagmati, Central

Photographer's Note

In Kathmandu the principle Hindu temple is the Pashputinath. It contains hundreds of beautifully carved shrines to many, many gods. Most of these date from the 14th to 16th centuries. Often they are inhabited by Sadhus or Holy men. This seems to be an important intersection where several holy men meet up and talk about whatever holy men talk about. They also await donations from the visiting faithful. Their different dress signifies the different sub sects and the various gods that they worship.
This sadhu seems to like sitting with his leg over his head. It looks rather uncomfortable and I'm not quite sure why he does it, but it must be something to do with yoga. He sits chatting with two of his holy man mates , who have chosen a more usual way to sit.

KLB, zmey, Manamo, carper, siolaw has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ohe (2334) 2007-07-23 8:32

Dear kevin,
Very strange faces on this composition!!
A scary atmosphere ...
Colors are really well rendered.
Thanks for sharing,
- Olivier -

KLB (23723) 2007-07-23 8:36

Hello Kevin

Amazing !
It's very well captured.
The expressions are quite frightening...
Good work.

Cheers,
Karine

zmey (7335) 2007-07-23 9:03

a nice portrait, kevin! an interesting moment capture and the expression on the other yogas' faces is priceless. nice color composition too: the bright colors of the clothing contrasting against the gray background of the stone. i feel a bit distracted by the third yoga being cut off a bit, but i understand that the main focus is the fellow with his leg behind his head.

TFS,
Kristaps

wolf38 (30) 2007-07-23 9:23

Hello kevin. Actually I wanted to leave myself something time with the next attendance of your side. But I remain hanging proper on your current photo. It is so unusual, shrills and worth seeing. These three sadhus look, as if they would come from another world. And actually they have only little in common with our life. Really very much impressing. Best regards, Wolfgang.

carper (96) 2007-07-23 9:58

a fantastic shot Kevin,
first thought where that man haad lost a leg. bujt when I am looking better I saw it, great pov, good details, good photojob here.
gr. jaap

janink (1010) 2007-07-23 12:09

This is a great, colourful and very entertaining photo Kevin.
It's bizarre to see and understand the men when you are in your own comfortable home, but so common and part of daily life when you travel in countries like Nepal end India.

All those holy men! You really met some real beautiful ones in a great setting and captured the well in a nice composition. Ingrid

AmiBe (6042) 2007-07-23 13:35

Hello Kevin, hello elastic-man :)
Nice trio, good color contrast with the grey background.
rgs

siolaw (38294) 2007-07-23 23:14

Hi Kevin
Of course this is yoga... i think he does this to attract photographers or tourists to get some small cash! That is their only income... Nice colorful scene anyway with good vertical framing... i may have tryied to get the guy on the left entirely, but no big deal!
Coming BKK soon?
Laurent

Furachan (0) 2007-07-24 2:24

Well, funny title apart...;o) quite a nice compo here, Kevin. I like the inclusion of the sandals 19 and the mixture of color with an almost monochromatic presence.
Good work,
Francis

Polonaise (5802) 2007-07-24 8:07

Amazing, amusing, unusual world you are presenting to us, Kevin�
Many different people looking out for many different features on TE, but the very main one, the one that was behind the idea of creating TE - is still well and kicking�
It is "To meet the world thru photography�"
As simple as that�
And you follow that line as good as it can gets�
-------------------
These cute fellows in there�???
Would I have the opportunity to see it if not your photo ???

Great stuff, man�

.and�thanks�really..

george

vincz (19113) 2007-07-24 10:18

Hi kevin, I recognize the 2 on the left not the one with the "leg over". These men are really fascinating, a strange mix of holy men and charlatans. So colourful. A great shot!

hatti52 (12786) 2007-07-24 12:12

Hi Kevin,
Very nice and interesting composition
great colours and contrass
well done
congrats

etlerl (603) 2007-07-25 6:24

Wow, what pretty faces. If the slippers were not in the picture I would not believe it was taken in the 21st century. They represent a unique culture, a different age and an unknown world.
etlerl

ndb1958 (9289) 2007-07-25 10:55

I saw several images of these holy men, but still a fascination. Their appearece and expression is so strange. A wonderful capture of these guys.
All the best, Nino.

Stepan (27210) 2007-07-26 11:07

Must be crazy to visit this place !! They seem to be in such another world !
Impressive people, impressive mood.
St廧hane

sothy81 (9646) 2007-07-31 0:11

HI Kevin,

This picture attracted me a lot. This daily life scene is wonderful in its typical look of these people painting their faces... I never travel to Nepal or it neighboring countries before... and I am wondering if people in India or Pakistan do the same thing like you have here?

TFS.
Sothy

kschanna (6) 2009-01-07 20:18

Hi Kevin,

This is such a unique photo and I think your composition is very good, I particularly like the colors. About a scene, a rather eerie scene especially when one is not used to seeing contortionists in publis places but I like it a lot. Good note to go with it too.

Cheers
Kamran