As a photographer I have learnt watching other people shoot...and one person I admire is my Malang brother Marc De Clercq , he shoots without being heard or seen.. he becomes one with the surroundings despite his giant girth height and color of his skin... that normally would stand out in a sea of brown people , but he controls it becomes brown so to speak,and Marc and I have been friends since 2005 ...we have shot events moments together ..be it Ajmer or private gatherings of hijras, we both document the humanity of the transgender.
This was Marcs first trip to Haji Malang but the way he came across as a professional it seemed he has shot such places before , and he shot in every corner of India 3 Kumbhs Koovagam Eunuch festival several times , Kaliar sharif Makhanpur and a vast canvas from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
He was shooting this Hindu lady invoking the blessings of the Holy Saint of Haji Malang and I perched near the facade of the Holy Shrine was shooting both of them.. keeping the crowds in the frame too.
One person who has learnt much from Marc is my 5 year old Canon shooting grand daughter Marziya Shakir, she has been shooting Marc each time he comes home spends time with my family.
Marc and I became Dam Madar Malangs together and our Peersaab is Baba Masoumi.. a humble teacher and an austere man with simple aspirations.
Because of my bad health i had to abort my Haji Malang trip midway, I shot the Palki and in the morning the day after the Palki I climbed down and returned to Mumbai.
I am still not fully recovered and have been cooped up in bed under medication.
