Portraits from Nepal

Besides the fascinating nature and diversity of landscapes in Nepal, Nepalese folks are one of the most welcoming and kind people I had ever the chance to meet. I am convinced that without the amazing daily contact with Nepalese people, the experience wouldn’t be complete nor memorable.

Despite poverty and the devastating earthquake the country went through in 2015, which was a massive hit to the people of Nepal economically and emotionally, their beautiful souls remain unaffected. And traveling over there is the least thing to do to contribute in helping such beautiful country to stand on its foot again.

I consider these portraits as a tribute and a way to say “Thank you” to the fabulous people of Nepal, A project which is very dear to me.

To wrap up this first part of my series of stories, here’s one of my favorite quotes :

“Portraits reveal a desire for human connection, a desire so strong that people who know they will never see me again open themselves to the camera, all in the hope that at the other end, someone will be watching, someone who will laugh or suffer with them.” Steve McCurry

Sadhus mean in Hinduism “Holy persons.” They apparently bring good karma. I photographed these Sadhus while discovering one of the most sacred Hindu temples “ Pashupatinath Temple.” That’s where i’ve witnessed the religious burning ritual for the first time and got to know the smell of a dead body burning. It was a fascinating moment watching how comfortable Hindus are with death and the way they treated the dead bodies. After a long burning process, whatever left either swept towards across Bagmati river or it become part of the air, you breath.

I made these portraits of two young monks at Swayambhunath temple, while they were practicing their religious rituals.

While I was wandering in the streets of Kathmandu, I suddenly found myself in the middle of a Nepalese family was celebrating the wedding of one of their members. Apparently, they didn’t mind that I photograph them dancing, singing and laughing. Below my two favorite photos from that day.

I think these students have the coolest and best located school in the world. Situated in the middle of Bhaktapur Durbar Square which is known as an open museum. 1400 m above sea level, The school is surrounded by several majestic temples and monuments, which some of them built in the 17th century. Look at the backgrounds in the photos; it’s clearly hard to any other school to beat such beautiful place.

From the same school in Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It was a pleasure meeting and chatting with all these students. I’m very thankful for them to give me the chance to capture this moment during their break.

I photographed these three friends early morning in a very small village somewhere in the himalayas. thankful for them to let me capture such beautiful moment.

The less we have, the more creative we become. It has been proven in many ways throughout the creation process. That’s what came to my mind when I photographed this Beautiful little being, playing with her handmade bubble blower; She seemed to enjoy not just watching the colorful bubble coming from the small hole of the branch, but also realizing her own creativity: what she just made by her hand works as she expected. Unfortunately, that joy of building our toys by hand and enjoying that process; vanished in everyday life in the upcoming generation of modern society, which made everything ready for kids to consume, and flattened games to bright ugly screens. Dear civilized world, Apparently, It’s way funnier and healthier to live in an ( uncivilized-urbanized ) community. So please keep your screens and your internet away from them. No one asked for it anyway.