Sunday, January 27, 2008

MY LAST POST AT BLOGSPOT






I wont be posting here at all three sites at Blogspot anymore , I have had it with Word Verification the most annoying and oudated tool at Blogspot that hampers creativity of thought and considers a serious blogger as positive spam.
So those who want to see my pictures on Hijdas Transgenders, Body Piercers , Shias, Naga Sadhus , and other stuff

you can connect with me at Flickrs or Word press..

Saturday, January 26, 2008

WORDVERIFICATION AT BLOGSPOT IS A PAIN IN THE ASS




Why cant you guys at Blogspot do a Wordpress?
I have been cross blogging from Flickr and each time I suffer the agony of this Word Verification shit.Its time you grew up.
Bloggerspot dudes..

Firoze Shakir
Photographerno1

Word Verification is the most outdated and annoying tool at blogspot

http://www.firozeshakir.com

They Burn Brides Dont They




photo courtesy

glennlosackmd.com/-/glennlosackmd/

in india the land of my birth
a woman is married
initially joy and mirth
than comes the demands
of dowry , bride beatings
bride harassment
burnt on the
pyre of womanhood
for all her worth
tested by fire
like sita swallowed
in the mouth
of mother earth

God Begs Too



photo courtesy
glennlosackmd.com/-/glennlosackmd/

on the street along with the beggar
god begs ..one a cripple
the other a god without legs

Allah Ho Akbar-God is Great




photo courtesy

glennlosackmd.com/-/glennlosackmd/

the men all praying the namaz
allah ho akbar god is great
while the beggar in his misery
had already reached allahs gate
"they also serve who only watch and wait "

The Muslim Woman and the Muslim Man




photo courtesy

glennlosackmd.com/-/glennlosackmd/

she begs at the doors
of Allahs house
her womanly despair
no humanly grouse
the muslim man
well he will just browse
throw a few coins
no other feelings to rouse
the mullah with his fatwas
fires that even laid back
muslim society wont douse
the monitor the keyboard
and a hand free mouse
a hijab that covers her
shame , her tattered
hopes her shattered
dying heart within
the heartbeat of her blouse

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

See the little girl on her fathers head- this is the first Shia tutorial to our faith

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Shimr frightening the kids...

Ali Asghers Cradle-Amin Imambada Ashura


Ali Asghers Cradle-Amin Imambada Ashura
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

These are two persons dressed as women and along with them is the cradle of Imam Hussains martyred infant Ali Asgher , he was shot down by Harmulla an archer of the Yazidi forces, so the ritual aand tradition here is that the mothers give their infants to them to be placed in the cradle for good luck, but Shimr comes down heavily on them by breaking the cradle and is rough on the little kids too..

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

The person impersonating Shimr.

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

The person impersonating the Imam

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada


Ashura Juloos Amin Imambada
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

This is the situation at Amin Imambada ..the red hand is one of the members of Shimrs army hitting the crowrds and little children in the Taboot of Imam Hussain..
This is a version and display of a Iranian passion play..
Shimr was the Commander of Yazids Army..who decapitated Imam Hussains head..

Baptism by Blood


Baptism by Blood
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

This is the Ashura Juloos at Amin Imambada 20th Jan 2008.
I discontinued shooting the scourgings climbed a scaffolding to capture a few pictures of the Iranian passion play at Amin...
Believe me it is tough shooting here , the best location would be the ladies section but men are not allowed.
The first time I shot this was about 6 years back when Nasser of Lucky Hotel helped me climb the ledge via the entrance gate, I was shooting with F80and I remember with a single camera I shot color film slide and black and white rolls- totalling about 40.
This was the earliest madness of photography..I paid about Rs 8000 or more for developing and processing and made prints to exhibit in various national and internatonal salons..Today the world has gone digital and strangely all these pictures are shot on a single camera too.
Amin Imambada was my coming of age as a photographer, the following year I shot from the rear entrance top..And now after several years I shot at grass root level, one year I had to skip shooting here because I had injured my eye .
Now see tthe little kid absolutely no fear , no emotion, his guardian is more excited than him.
This picture I wish I could present to Mr Shiv Malik of New Statesman who has been harping about child abuse in UK. during Moharam.
You have to step into the shoes of the Shia to understand Ghame Hussain the Tragedy of Imam Hussain a 1400 year old pain that comes alive year after year..
If you go to Hyderabad this is mere childs play, the Hyderabadis initiate all their male chidren to Kama Matam from3 months onwards...

For those at my other web sites where I am cross blogging this, you will have to see the rest of my pictures at my Flickr photstream.. I am posting a few selected ones there..the rest shall remain at Flickr.

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Zanzir Matam


Zanzir Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Zanzir Matam


Zanzir Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Zanzir Matam


Zanzir Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam-Mumbai Shia Kids


Kama Matam-Mumbai Shia Kids
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Friday, January 25, 2008

Kama Matam -Mumbai Shia Kids


Kama Matam -Mumbai Shia Kids
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

The Shia kids of Mumbai are a unique lot, this is one time their parents dont take into account their coming late, or their blood letting either, not that the mothers are not worried but they know that Maaulah protects their kids from extreme harm.
This is Ghame Hussain.
The Shia parents themselves are attending various Majlis and the Shia kids never starve during Moharam, there is always the Niyaze Hussain served at the end of the Majlis or Matam, and honestly during Moharam all the basic urges are at low key whether thirst or hunger..this is my own personal experience.
At Bhendi Bazar at Dongri at Moghul Masjid at Babula Tank you feel the effervescence of Moharam, the sabils draped in black, CDs playing Nadim Sarwars latest Nohas , fill the air..and Moharam time is bonding with old time friends and aquaintances, that you lost track of..
Moharam thus is a unique month in the Shia Muslim calendar , a month of piety , introspection and a month of forgiveness.This month gives way to Safar..till the mourning period ends after 2 months 8 days.The Shia celebrate Athvi the last segment of mourning and the following morning begins the Shia important Idd called Idd e Zehra or Navi..
The Shias wear red clothes , and flaunt their spiritual freedom, curses on the enemies of Shiasm and lanat on the killers of Imam Hussain..
In Lucknow it is a festive moment , sweets called Gul Gule are served to all and sundry..An effigy of Caliph Umar is burnt in all the Shia houses in Lucknow including the main one at Makbara and at Kazmain..
There are Shairies, mehfils poetry sessions and this is one of the happiest time in a Shia familys life..

Kama Matam of Mumbai


Kama Matam of Mumbai
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

The Mumbai Shia kids are absolutely unafraid when it comes to wielding the dagger, no flimsiness, a firm determined grip and in a few strokes the deed is done..
here there is no one to snatch the dagger from their hands like at Kaiser Bagh..
Most of the kids of an independent nature carry their own daggers on their person..
mostly the cheap Chinese variety

Amin Imambada Kama Matam 2008


Amin Imambada Kama Matam 2008
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Hardcore Kama Matam


Hardcore Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

I call this hardcore Kama Matam, the dagger metculously opening up the scalp , and this young lad was very confident unafraid..

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam- Helping Hands


Kama Matam- Helping Hands
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam-Helping Hands


Kama Matam-Helping Hands
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

The Shia Back


The Shia Back
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Kama Matam


Kama Matam
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Here the kid is having his wound washed with water to which rose essence has been added..no ointment, no tetanus shot, nothing .Holistic healing...
It heals by itself in a day.

Shia Cubs -Future of our Race


Shia Cubs -Future of our Race
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

You know this is a Shia kid, no doubt about that, he is as sane as you and me no trance no drug, and adult coaxing him to do what he is doing, he is become Man in a single stoke of Faith-bleeding Faith.
His family members are not around just his friends as manic as him on Ashra day.
This is a solidarity of the Brotherhood of Ghame Hussain.
I took this shot from a slight elevated position..nothng can frighten this Shia kid..
I know a lot of people are against this show of mournful brutality, but can you stop them.No you cant .Hussain is the fulcrum of all Pain..
I shoot kids and this is is sheer passionate photography of pain ...
Actually there is no pain , would you believe that , the kid is totally focussed on Hussain and the Tragedy of Karbala..
As a child in his mothers safe arms he saw these visuals year after year waited for his turn..and here he is walking tall.I am not glorifying or justifying the act of self mutilation but I am showing you a psychological pattern of pain..
I saw his friends around him, goading him with the chant of Ya Ali Ya Ali , there is no mirror here for him to know how deep his gash is but his friends keep him informed..
these are Shia cubs -the future of our race.

24"Blades Finale


24"Blades Finale
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Now is the time for them to exit through a narrow passge as the Juloos is carrying on in earnest in the courtyard of the Imambada Amin..

Back to the Pavillion


Back to the Pavillion
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

He wants the blades back but his friends have removed the blades and given it to another person for safe keeping..

24"Blades


24"Blades
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Here his friends stop him from causing further harm and grab his blades, his Matam is bought to an end.

24" Blades


24" Blades
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

The back of the Malad guy is severely cut...and people around him are not to happy with the danger his blades cause to their Matam.

Ashura Amin Imambara 2008


Ashura Amin Imambara 2008
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Amin Imambara 2008


Ashura Amin Imambara 2008
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Ashura Amin Imambada 2008


Ashura Amin Imambada 2008
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Here the Malad guy has gone for the jugular, there are a few pictures before this but the guy with his back came and stood in front of my camera, and will certainly not move , as this is his moment , he has come here to shed his blood photographer or no photographer..
Normally this area is more packed but I was lucky,,and you can see the fatal nature of his 3 blades...

Ashura Amin Imambada 2008


Ashura Amin Imambada 2008
Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

He was cautious and looked around him before taking the swing, he was not in a frenzy or manic as some others are, who hit without seeing even if they damage or hurt a bystander accidentaly..
Shooting at Amin Imambada is a very tough one ..

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