Children of India

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

alina_pro — Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:45:30 GMT

My name is Alina Prodanescu. I am a Project Manager and my job has little to do with photography. But I use every single occasion to grab my camera and try capture the world the way I see it. I have been lucky to visit few Asian countries. From my India trip I remember the hot weather and food, the warm colours and people, and the pervasive materialism and spirituality but what will always remain with me is the kids from Varanasi with their eyes so tired and incredibly worn out, with a drained expression in them that no child should have to bear. Being a curious person I love to travel and connect with the people I meet, study them and learn as much as I can. In each country I’ve been I have found familiar elements: you can see the beautiful wildness of Tibet in the heights of European mountains, the esquisit details of an ancient Chinese temple in the lovely architecture of a French or German castle, the profound religiosity of Indian pilgrims in the humble silence of an old Romanian monastery. I am eager to learn more about telling stories trough photography not because it seems easier- it is not- but because it is the most effective way of showing people that we have more in common than we know. That way it is easier to relate to other people’s problems and try to help instead of considering them too far away with nothing to do with your own culture, way of life and interest.

INDIA- children of Varanasi

alina_pro — Sun, 8 Aug 2010 03:54:00 GMT

Set on the Ganges, Varanasi is one of India’s most appreciated holly places and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
The main activity in Varanasi is commerce. Anybody can sell anything to any one, the town is a gigantic market.

Attracting clients becomes harder and harder in every day and negotiating is a vital skill. The children of Varanasi learn this lesson very early in their life.They are the ones who would approach the tourists for a boat trip early in the morning until late at night, looking for the most promising client.
A little girl is trying to sell donas: paper rose petals pasted on little paper doilies with a tiny candle in the middle: “Hello, madam, hello! You buy this to remember your father, your mother, your brother, your sister. I have fire. You put in the water…”

This time the tourist said NO. “You broke my heart, sir!” the kid replies with a bit of a mock pouting of his mouth.

I remember the heat of India, I remember the spicy food, the warm people and their strong spirituality, but what will always remain with me is the kids with their eyes so tired and incredibly worn out, with a drained expression in them that no child should have to bear.

Photos: INDIA- Vanarasi

alina_pro — Sun, 8 Aug 2010 03:30:00 GMT