08 January 2009

Woman at Kileswar [2]

Local woman, KileswarI had a strong impression this woman was one of two who were responsible for much of the day to day running of the Maharajah's retreat at Kileswar in Gujarat's Barda Hills. When we first arrived, she, like most locals we met, maintained a dignified politeness. A kind of cautious welcome. By the end of the week, we were treated to smiles like this.

Only women were tattooed this extensively. Afterwards, we were told, the swelling is so severe that eating is not possible for about three days.

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7 comments:

  1. Emma8 January 2009 at 18:13

    Such beautiful kindness in her eyes...

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  2. Relatively Retiring8 January 2009 at 21:32

    Two wonderful portraits of strong and happy women - and a great credit to you that you elicit beaming smiles like these!

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  3. Zhoen9 January 2009 at 07:12

    Beautiful tattoos, but I can just imagine how painful.

    This is a much warmer smile.

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  4. pohanginapete9 January 2009 at 08:39

    Emma, yes, I agree...

    RR, thank you. The women were certainly strong in several respects, including physically. We watched as this woman helped hoist an enormously heavy bowl onto the head of her companion. The well-practised technique helped, but it must have required great physical strength — and if I'd tried carrying something that heavy on my head I've have probably broken my neck. As well as that pyhysical strength, this woman in particular had a powerful presence that commanded respect.

    I agree about the warmth of her smile, Zhoen. The other, older woman had encountered us less often, so her smile was tempered by a little shyness.

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  5. Anne-Marie9 January 2009 at 11:21

    She's beautiful and she looks like a kind woman. I wish it was socially acceptable for a Pakeha woman to wear clothing like that. Such gorgeous colours!

    As for those tattoos ... wow. Do you know if they have any meaning?

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  6. pohanginapete9 January 2009 at 13:59

    Anne-Marie, Aotearoa, for all its own special beauty, can sometimes seem drab and reserved after India. The tattoos: I speak with no authority, but would be greatly surprised to find they were purely decorative. Ritual formed a noticeable part of the day there.

    I'd love to go back and live there for a while; try to learn and understand more.

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  7. Emma9 January 2009 at 19:09

    Anne-Marie, you'd do fine in L.A. or New York City if you chose to dress in that style... :)

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Constructive criticism is welcomed (I particularly appreciate thoughts on what you like and don't like), but please keep it courteous.