Dogs and Indian Photographers Not Allowed at Ajmer Sharif, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
I start a new set at Flickr a very lengthy series Ajmer Urus 2009 , 3 cards of 4 GB each.. shot in two days , I had a 16 GB card too, but I did not use it, the reason being photography is totally banned within the precincts of the Dargah..
Permission is given on the whims of the Dargah authorities..the criteria of color is important ..racism exists in Holy Places too..
I applied for permission, presented my Press Card , my Pan Card two photographs, but as you see I dont look like a photographer so it was turned down as the Dargah authorities give permission to a white man first, the Indian photographer is deemed a terrorist according to the mind set of the people in charge..dogs and Indian photographers are not allowed at the Ajmer Sharif Urus..
My Belgian photographer friend was lucky enough to get the permission.
I have continuously stayed at the house of Peersaab Fakhru Miya Hujra no 6 my host, benefactor and patron every trip that I made to Ajmer Urus from 2005 to 2009, ..and I have shot Ajmer with the sincerity of my soul and Ajmer is my pictorial gospel, of the Message of Peace as expounded in love and brotherhood by the Holy Saint Khwajah Gharib Nawaz Moinuddin Chishty Al Sabri.
I call this Tablike Khwajah Gharib Nawaz..his message of humanity, this is the only Shrine that has millions of pilgrims from all over the world..no bar on caste color or community ..Hindus throng to seek the Holy Saints blessings you ask for a single wish he extends it to your unborn child too, such is the bounty of the Khwajah Gharib Nawaz.
I am not an adherent of Sufism,but I am touched by the Holy Saint who beckons me year after year, I am going through very bad times in my business this trip was not happening, but he pulled me across ..I shot for two days that made a moment seem like a life time.
I hold no grudge towards the Dargah authorities , but I would like to display my inner hurt publicly so one can read in black and white, as in some cases Indian photographers are allowed at the Dargah with cameras and arc lights only if Katrina Kaif comes in as she generates the hoopla for commercialism in spirituality.
This is Truth as I see it..and it should hurt those whom the cap fits..
81669 pictures at display on my Flickr photostream, of all religions I have shot , is my testimony as a blogger showing you a world within the narrow corridors of another world.
This year I shot the Hijras . I shot the Malangs at the graveyards of Char Yar, I shot the Bawas of Char Yar.,.I shot the gemstone markets, the beggars, Dhai Din Ka Jhopda, and on the last day shot a Mehfil on the eve of Chatti on the terrace of the house of my host Peersaab Fakhru Miya Hujra No 6 one of the specil spontaneous events was the Whirring Dervesh of Ajmer a sight you normally dont see in public but at privately..
I had traveled barefeet and remained barefeet till I reached Mumbai this morning at 7 am..my feet bled , I could barely walk, but I knew I would overcome the frailty of my flesh.I removed shards off glass in the evening from my tortured feet, and I did not carry my diabetic medicine or my insulin syringe at Ajmer , I felt if I come to a Spiritual Healer like Khwajah Gharib Nawaz why must I carry medicines , his love and affection protected me at all times.
I have a vardan of Hijras they cross my path at all times ..I must mention this significant detail..
I was boarding the train for Ajmer I was accosted by Hijras of Gharib Nagar Bandra ..and when I got off at Bandra Terminus I met hijras from Bombasy Central, who touched my feet and asked me to bless them..
Metaverse
it is not religion
But a racist system that
I curse .
wounds on my soul
an inner angst I nurse
humility the only currency
to reimburse
spirituality sometimes
is bartered for a purse
