The Monks and People of Sikkim

Sikkim's Gangtok, Tsuklakhang Royal Chapel and Monastery, and Changu Lake
A stroll in the morning is always worth a million stories for a journalist's camera lense. Sikkim, a breath-taking north-eastern Indian state, has more than that to offer- serenity and gratefulness.

The photos posted in this page are candid shots and captured under natural day light. They are part of my personal photo journal in India (2006) while on an assignment. All smiles that welcomed me in this divine land of Sikkim is a notable memory for then, now and forever.

The Silent Little Monk by Teynmoli Subramaniam

Picture above: The Silent Little Monk is my favourite in this Sikkim series. I was told that it is a custom that every Buddhist family in Sikkim will send their first son to monastery.

Buddhism has deep-rooted presence in the hills and valleys of Sikkim. Today Sikkim has nearly 200 monasteries and Lhakhangs. The influence of Buddhism is felt in nearly every corner of the state. From the colourful fluttering prayer flags to the sacred caves, lakes and stupas, the images and symbols of Buddhism retain a freshness undimmed by the passage of time. Although a majority of people here are not Buddhists, the people are very fond of their culture and customs, perhaps driven by the inspiring force of Buddhism.

The Entrance

Stupa

The youngest monk in maroon robe

This photo was taken by my cameraman on this assignment

For surely, Sikkim is one of the best place I've ever visited. The memories are still fresh in my mind just like the breeze in the Indo-China border. It's an enchanting place, a total different face of India-a unique cross -culture which depicts common nature and unity beyond the two giants' (India and China's) love-hate relationship. Sikkim, 'is coined from the word Su' 'Him'- which means beautiful home. Indeed, it is an abode of nature.

My camera loves portraits as it captures the essence of a person's identity, attitude and emotion. It defines the place's uniqueness simply with many different faces.

Photos by Teynmoli Subramaniam, December 2006

Comments

Anonymous said…

Beautiful snaps. Well done.

11:26 pm

A poem for my Malaysia

This poem is written in Malay Language, my homeland's national language. It is written in the spirit of the celebration of Malaysia's 62nd Independence Day. It is not meant to condemn or based on any specific ethnicity, or person. It is purely from the heart and mind of mine for the love of my birth country, a moment simply for my homeland. Sejenak untukmu Aku bukan bukan Melayu kerana aku cukup Melayu, cukup Cina, cukup India, dan cukup lain-lain kaum. Aku anak Malaysia. Aku bukan bukan Melayu kerana aku atuh pada rukun. Rukun aku rukun negara. Usah disindir kepercayaanku kerana aku bukan calang-calang orang. Aku anak Malaysia. Aku bukan bukan Melayu. Aku tahu Melayu, aku hormati Melayu, dan aku cintai Melayu kerana aku anak Malaysia. Aku bukan anak India. Bahasa ibuku Tamil, kampungku pekan Melayu, sekolah rendahku sekolah Cina. Kerjaku merantau dunia. Kini sudah dekad lamanya aku dikota London, tetapi ba

Momentous Golfing-Malaysian International Open.

The Saturday evening was fabulously cheerful with good spirit and happy bunch of professional and casual golfers. They just simply love the people around them and tossed the cup for each other's participation at the Malaysian International Open. The day was superbly perfect for golfing and for a moment I just felt like I was in Malaysia. Bright and sunny hot day with happy faces, beautiful green and serene view at the Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club, Dartford, Kent. Anyone can just simply fall in love with golf and forget themselves between the bounce of this great game if they play the game well. Young Nazmi Kamal, has been attending proper golf coaching and been playing for 7 years. Nadzry Nurdi plays for fun and it has been 15 years now. Senior Max K. Lim is Malaysian Golfing Society, MGS member and has been playing for 10 years. For George Pedred from Hertfordshire, this is his first time playing with Malaysians. So is for Chris Edmonds who finds it amusing a

The Glorious Roses

If there is a plant I won't miss planting in my garden, it's roses. Though it's not easy ( especially with the presence of its mortal enemies), every season brings a new learning experience, and it's lovely to see the colourful blooms adorning my garden containers. Among them, the baby pink rose always makes me smile with its delicate hue and graceful petals. Why? Because it reminds me of my mum… On the other hand, it adds to my muse. Roses are lovely but have thorns; so is our life sometimes or quite often too prickly. But beyond the pain; the softness of its petals embraces us; the sweetness of its smell and the beauty of its whole. Life, much like a rose, is a delicate interplay of beauty and pain. The thorns symbolize the struggles and hardships that we inevitably encounter, making our journey sometimes, or quite often prickly and challenging. These difficulties, while painful, are an intrinsic part of life, shaping our resilience, fortitude and gratitude. They remi

Penamoli

Search This Blog