These guys were performing during Planet Nepal event. I liked the music they played and I liked their uniform. The sound of those bagpipes is amazing.
Showing posts with label people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label people. Show all posts
Nepal Army band
These guys were performing during Planet Nepal event. I liked the music they played and I liked their uniform. The sound of those bagpipes is amazing.
Tattoo Convention: the artists and the tattoos
Namaste!
This is my third post dedicated to the 4th International Tattoo Convention. I see tattooing as a form of art, I enjoy looking at different designs that people inked on their bodies. I know many people are still prejudiced against the tattooed persons, they associate them with criminals and violence. Historically tattooing was indeed done by criminals, sex workers or sailors. But it is not like this any more. Though some guys did look a bit tough there was not the slightest hint of rudeness in their behaviour. All were polite, smiley, friendly. Nobody objected to being photographed.In today's post a few photographs of the tattoo artists and of the different tattoos that I spotted at the event.
Tattoo convention: head and face tattoos
Namaste!
These guys will never suffer from lack of attention. Having their heads and faces tattooed they will always catch people’s eye and will always arouse different kinds of emotions: curiosity, perplexity, wonder, hostility, perhaps even fear. What makes these guys tattoo their faces? These days body tattoos have become acceptable and much less of a tough choice. Face tattoos, however, still leave people wondering if its owner is right in the head or not which, perhaps, is just the kind of reaction the guy wants.
Also, a tattoo on the face distracts people from the expressions on that face, it effectively creates a barrier between the eyes of the beholder and the bearer of the tattoo and helps the tattooed person "hide" their real emotions and feelings behind the "mask" of the tattoo.
And perhaps some do it for religious or spiritual reasons.
Tattoo Convention: expressions
Namaste!
These days the 4th International Nepal Tattoo Convention is being held at the Yak and Yeti Hotel. There are over 100 professional tattoo artists from 22 countries including USA, UK, France, Italy and Thailand. I have already been at one of the previous Conventions, two years ago (you can see the photos here and here). Why did I went there for the second time? Because it is fun!
A few photographs of interesting people's expressions that I caught with my camera during the event.
A sleeping rickshaw
Namaste!
The ability of men to be able to fall asleep anywhere and at any time they've got a couple of free minutes really amuses me. Look at this rickshaw, sleeping like a baby in the middle of the day, on the road full of cars and noise. Seems that uncomfortable pose doesn't bother him at all.
Puja at Swayambhunath
A priest performing puja at the Swayambhunath temple. Puja is a prayer ritual performed by Hindus to host, honour and worship one or more deities, or to spiritually celebrate an event. The word comes from Sanskrit, and means reverence, honour, homage, adoration, and worship. There are many things that are needed for the ritual but water, flowers, fruits and rice are the main ingredients. Incense sticks, coins, a bell and different kinds of vessels are also used.
You can see a vajra on the sacred scripture. Seems like the priest uses it as a bookmark here.
Playing narsingha
This man is playing a traditional Nepalese trumpet, called narsingha. Though I've been to many Nepalese weddings and celebrations I didn't see much of this instrument. It is very unusual in look and in sound. The name narsingha means "buffalo horn," but the instrument is much larger than the horn of a buffalo. The narsingha varies widely in size, shape and usage in ensembles throughout Nepal. In eastern Nepal, narsinghas are shorter and thicker, while in western Nepal, narsinghas are longer and thinner. Narsinghas are made by copper-smiths and blacksmiths, in Kathmandu and in the middle hills. They are crafted usually in four sections. Some narsinghas have a C-shaped curve, while others are put together in the form of an S though the shape of the instrument does not seem to significantly affect the sound. And what the sound they make! They are fanfaring announcing the arrival of someone important. Different players and different ensembles develop distinct narsingha calls that are unique to the ensemble and sometimes to the individual.
Different ways of reading
Namaste!
I spotted these people at the swimming pool of the "Yak and Yeti" hotel. They all were reading but they all held their books in a different way. Seemed interesting to me.Maha Shivaratri: the sacred night of Lord Shiva
Sadhus, the Holy men of Hinduism
While visiting India or Nepal you will not miss to notice these unusual looking men wandering around. They can be seen in cities and villages, in forests and on the bank of rivers. They are attached to a temple, live as hermits or move constantly from one place to another. Many of them go around naked or almost naked or wear orange clothes. These are sadhus - men who chose to renounce themselves from social life, work, wealth, family in order to follow a spiritual path that would allow them to eventually become free from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Nepali beauty
Namaste!
Spotted this real beauty in Kirtipur. I like her simple hairstyle and traditional outfit.Gurkhas: "Better to die than to be a coward"
The name Gurkha originates from the Gorkha community of central Nepal from which Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the land of the Kathmandu Valley in 1769 and united the land of Nepal. The first two regular Gurkha battalions were raised in 1763. Calling themselves the Sri Nath and the Purano Gorakh, these battalions fought together against the British in 1769. They also took part in campaigns against Tibet and in the Anglo-Nepal war of 1814-16. It was then that the legend of Gurkha bravery appeared with their motto “Better to die than to be a coward”.
Nepali girls
Namaste!
Not much is needed to be said here. Just a photo of the pretty and happy Nepali girls
Hanuman, super make-up
This guy (or girl?) is portraiting Hanuman, a monkey hero from the famous indian epic "Ramayana". I like his make-up and costume as well especially those pinky gloves. The guy was sitting in the Pashupatinath area on Shivaratri day and doing nothing, just looking here-there and people put money in the bowl in his hand. I think for the costume itself and for Hanuman's sake.
Sadhus
Namaste!
You can meet these people in the streets of Nepal and India, especially at the sacred Hindu places. Sadhus are ascetics who follow a path of penance and austerity to attain enlightment. They wander the roads and forest, never staying long in one place.Many sadhus imitate the mythological life of Shiva. They carry a symbolic trident and wear three stripes of ash upon their foreheads to represent Shiva’s quest to destroy three impurities – selfishness, action with desire and the material world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)