Home PageCopyright of the text and the images with Arun Gaur © 2009 Arun Gaur
Two Happy Women of Sarahan / Himachal Pradesh / Tripolia-Exploring India-Arun Gaur’s Indian Landscape Images |
4:46:42 PM to 4:53:01 PM—Six Minutes & Nineteen SecondsIt was 26th May, 2009. The two grand ladies of the mountains perched on an elevation to watch a match. I realized once again here the inherent poetic truth in Wordsworth’s deliberations about the relationship between man and nature—between the human action and his landscape. Both are parts of each other. No separate existence. |
A Homage to the Wordsworthian Ladies of the Mountains
After suffering two punctures in the scooter tire, we managed to reach Sarahan. At the height of around 2200 meters. I wanted to photograph some old houses in the nearby villages. At the same time these would be appropriate places for Akash too to expose some negative films with Minolta 7000. While proceeding towards the villages, we realized that it was not possible to cover that area at least on the first evening. So we turned back. On the way, we saw a match of a very competitive and popular game proceeding in a ground far below. There were very few spectators. We came to know that this was a tournament involving the teams from neighboring villages. Some of the dwellers of the villages had specifically arrived there to support their respective teams. Here we chanced upon this elegant pair of ladies who had stationed themselves on an elevation to support their team. For me the scene presented a perfect illustration of the philosophy of Wordsworth. For Wordsworth nature and its landscape cannot be visualized without the presence of men and women within it. Both are the inherent ingredients of each other. To my great relief, the magnanimous ladies did not pay much attention to our presence. That permitted me to photograph their spontaneous postures and reactions to my full satisfaction. It clearly demonstrated that the effusions of the Romantic poets of the nineteenth century were not mere figments of fancy. They were a part of human reality—as this is still a part of human reality. The benign influence of nature, its purity of sylvan surroundings, its rocks and streams and groves can eternally mould the spirit of mankind. If I remember correctly, the line from Wordsworth ran somewhat like this: “One impulse from a vernal wood may teach you more of man, of moral evil and of good than all the sages can.” The present series of images is a homage to the majestic, sportive and kind-hearted nature of these women of the mountains of Sarahan and of all mountains in general. They are without most of the modern amenities that are taken for granted in our our day-to-day lives and without which the modern life is considered inconceivable. Even then they lead a very meaningful and constructive existence.
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4:46:42 PM The two ladies, the magnificent ones of the mountains sat like birds in the nest. Absorption & Expectations and quick consultations at the back. |
4:46:42 PM
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4:46:43 PM Their palms, their fingers play with the grass straws. Palms relax and the head scarf is set aright. Leaves are on the trees. Leaves and flowers are on their scarves and shirts. |
4:46:43 PM |
4:46:44 PM One is ebullient and the other's face expresses joy in a more restrained manner. For a moment they look at me. The photographer is a gentleman. He stands by his kid—Akash. Akash holds the mirror lens in the palm of his hand. Palm sits in the curling palm and curling fingers. Spread of the fingers set the scarf right--I don the captain's golden cap. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-3B |
4:46:48 PM Palms rest. Nestled in the close embrace of fingers. Face is joyous. Only one can spare a moment to look at me. Palm rests in the palm. Palm rests on the palm. Palms rest on the knee. Elbow rests too. I have already donned a captain's cap. There is plume in the cap. |
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4:46:51 PM Action in the field is about to begin. One palm chooses to rest on the shelter of the stone.
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4:46:54 PM Eyes peer into a distance. Fingers interweave or play with vegetation. |
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4:47:10 PM A little comment about the action in the field is gratifying to both of us. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-7B |
4:49:39 PM It is time for consideration. Some serious point for deliberation. Smiles have disappeared. They must concentrate. Palm scratches palm. Or is lost somewhere under a burden. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-8B |
4:50:00 PM Some more matter for consideration. Diversion is not out of place. Tilt in the body posture required for relieving of the momentary tension. |
4:50:00 PM |
4:50:25 PM Possibly a moment's break in the game. One looks at me. Her smiling face a little pursed that reflects confidence and satisfaction with the proceedings either of my photography or that of the game in the field. Other breaks into a saintly posture with the wave of the palm. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-10B |
4:50:27 PM The game is about to begin again. Time to see which direction the game turns. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-11B |
4:50:31 PM It seems to be a curious, crucial juncture in the game. Eyes should peer. Palm fingers should interweave in an arc almost touching the chin and there should be a tilt in the body with the knees joined together. Only traces of smile remain. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-12B |
4:50:50 PM Loud applause! O the incipient tension is relieved. The fingers fiddle with the leaves of grass and the palms clap together vociferously. Our team is doing well. What an excellent stroke! |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-13B |
4:50:50 PM That was a moment of exhilaration, excitement, utter joy. Instantly the body tilts forward as if to reach the center of field, palms let go the straw and set the scarf right again. A moment of joy and regaining of confidence and faith. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-14B |
4:50:51 PM Joy lingers. A little chewing of the cud. Fingers play again with the leaves of grass. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-15B |
4:50:52 PM Palms form the protective curve around the leaves of grass. A backward quick exchange about the proceedings in the field. Everything seems to be going well. In their favor. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-16B |
4:50:55 PM The field is full of excitement and delight. I must twirl the leaf of grass with the fingers of both the hands. |
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4:51:08 PM What's happening? Bony joints of the fingers approach each other. Open palms rest on the knee-caps. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-18B |
4:51:23 PM
My tips of the fingers would close around the leaf in a tight pinch. I can also now afford a glance at the photographer. Only one palm would rest on the knee. Other would seek and find comfort elsewhere. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-19B |
4:51:30 PM For the first time I can take my eyes away from the field to look down on the stone near my foot. My fingers have parted. There is no bridge of the leaf of grass between them. My left palm too needs to go elsewhere. My elbow is bent, my palm brings new comfort for my limbs.
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 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-20B |
4:52:07 PM Yes. There were some new gestures somewhere. The match is over. It’s time to go. I get up and go into the leaves. The sky is blue beyond. The green are the leaves. Shades are around me. Cool shades. My scarf and head are bathed with the shine of the sun. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-21B |
4:52:11 PM The match is over. It is time to return to the village. It is fresh sunlight. The clouds that thundered over distant ranges of Kinnaur are not heard. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-22B |
4:52:55 PM The match is over. I would give a last glance at the field. Others have also started coming down the rock. All continue to weave the woolen sweaters that they were weaving while watching the match. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-23B |
4:53:01 PM My friend is still sitting above on an elevation. Taken off her pink scarf. Now she is setting her hair aright. Then she would also come down. |
 Two Happy Women of Sarahan-24B |
