Anand Khokha Photography: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

Sacred Buddhist Faces and Places

(Anand Khokha Photography) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:36:00 GMT

Ordinary Faces and Places,Egypt,2008

(Anand Khokha Photography) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I traveled to Egypt, the ancient Land of the Pharaohs,during March 2008. While I was intrigued by the myriad of monuments, mummies, hieroglyphics and numerous other symbols of old Egyptian civilization, I found people photography to be very challenging, especially in Cairo. The increasing influence of Muslim fundamentalism in modern Egypt, coupled with a general mistrust of foreign photographers, made it difficult to photograph ordinary Egyptians, especially women who were clad in black hijabs (veils) and niqabs (robes). However, I found myself loving the cities of Aswan, Luxor and the villages around them, where the Nubian people seemed not only friendlier and happier, but were also more receptive to being photographed.

I was also privileged to visit homes of many poor Coptic Egyptian widows (courtsey of Coptic Orphans organization) where I was successful in obtaining many of the close-ups of Egyptian women in this portfolio.

Golden Temple,Amritsar,India 2007

(Anand Khokha Photography) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Golden Temple,located in Amritsar India, is the most sacred and the holiest shrine for the 25 million people of the Sikh Religion. I was honored to visit this holy place during October 2007 and pay homage to the memory of my maternal grandmother and paternal great grandfather,both of whom belonged to the Sikh faith.

I was particularly captivated to watch Sikh men and women participating in their religious lives on an equal footing at the temple. It was also endearing to see visitors, regardless of their race, gender, caste and religion, being welcomed to worship at this holy shrine--unlike many of the Hindu temples across India. In addition, I was touched by many people performing "Kar Seva"--volunteer service to upkeep the dignity of the shrine and to feed the poor and the hungry at the Langar.

While entering any Gurudwara (Sikh shrine),one is expected to remove shoes and cover ones head with cloth as a sign of respect for the sovereignity of Guru Granth Sahib--the Sikh holy book which is housed in that shrine.

My images of the Golden temple not only document the dignified beauty of the shrine but also depict the great respect and inner peace felt by the Sikh devotees during their visit to the Golden Temple.

Red Yao and Hmong People--North Vietnam, 2007

(Anand Khokha Photography) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sapa, N. Vietnam is one of my favorite places in Asia and I made a second visit there during August 2007 to photograph the daily lives of Tribal minorities, primarily the Red Yao and Hmong people. Their colorful cotumes and happy disposition are visible throughout the Sapa region.

Not only did I photograph them selling their wares in Sapa markets, but I was also previliged to visit several villages. This way I was able to observe their lives in their homes interfacing with each other while engaged in various daily tasks such as working in rice fields, sewing and emroidery, and taking care of animals. They lead very simple lives with great joy and blessings emanating from their beautiful sorroundings and the richness of thier soil.

Vietnam,2007

(Anand Khokha Photography) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I visited Vietnam twice during 2008--first in early August, to Hanoi and to the minority villages around Sapa and BacHa, and later in October to Saigon and the Mekong Delta areas.

After about 35 years since the end of the devastating war with the US , it appears that Vietnam has put the war behind and is clearly on the path to economic recovery. Almost 85% of the current population is under 30 years of age, born after the war, and are fully committed to economic growth in their country.

I found the Vietnamese people to be beautiful, full of vitality and having an unbelievable desire to do hardwork and achieve economic freedom. They are friendly, cooperative, industrious and eager to learn from you. I was much impressed by the natural beauty of the country as well, especially the hills around Sapa and the Chinese border in the north, and the area around Dalat in the south.