The Widow

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted June 5, 2017192 views3 comments

In India, widows are treated much like untouchables and are considered to be bad luck or cursed. They are often kicked out of their homes by their families or if lucky enough to stay in the home, they are physically present but socially divorced from the family activities. Many widows go to live ashrams in Vrindivan which is known as the City of Widows. There, they face a life of begging and destitution. They can no longer wear the brightly colored saris but wear all white or near all white clothing. Last, they shear their hair to remove any traces of their sexuality.
I saw this widow seated alone on a step. The hardness of all the elements in the photo and her small size and loneliness seemed to capture her situation.
Taken with an Olympus E-M1 and 12-40 lens at 1/500, f/4 and ISO 200. Richard

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Paula LeVay on June 5, 2017 at 9:50 PM

Richard, thank you for sharing this very poignant story which aligns perfectly with your image of this Indian widow! The lines formed by the stone slabs in the foreground and the pale blue door as a backdrop draw our eye to this lone figure, whose pose suggests sorrow and shame. When I first looked at this image, I thought that a small crop on the right side would make it seem more symmetrical, but on second thought, I like the way it is presented.

Registered on July 29, 2016, 66 Posts, 270 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 7, 2017 at 7:29 PM

Ouch. This is a hard, depressing story and a horrible situation for these women. It seems like she may still have a bit of stubborn resolve to keep some of her more colorful garments under the outer garment though. Spirit of life, I hope for her sake.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 9, 2017 at 6:17 PM

Wow, what an insane society that would do this to people. Sad and moving photo!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments