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November 21, 2008 |
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Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council |
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The portfolio presented here continues the Peace Caravan project which aims to follow the same land route that connected Jerusalem with China in the 2nd Century AD known as the Silk Road. These images are from India’s Northern Hill stations which once formed part of the old Central Asian trade routes. Traders with caravans from China and Mongolia dealt in carpets, silks, woolens and herbs and bartered with merchants from other parts of India and Persia eventually leading to the markets of Europe and Rome. In addition to goods and materials religious philosophies and cultural mores were exchanged shaping the foundations of today’s modern religions. The area today is a mixture of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims whose lives create a rich and vibrant tapestry against the backdrop of the magnificent Western Himalayas and Karakorum Mountains. Marla Mossman’s Northern India portfolio was shot with Nikon FE2 and FM2 camera using Kodak TMax 100, 3200 and TriX films. The film was then scanned with Nikon Coolscan 4000 and rendered as in the traditional darkroom with Selenium, Sepia and Indigo tones. Marla has traveled extensively in Peru, Thailand, India, Nepal, Indonesia and Afghanistan. To photograph in these remote places of the Himalayas, the Inca Trail and the High Sierras, she hikes and backpacks. She is planning her next Peace Caravan trip to photograph the Silk Route in Iran in spring of 2006. Marla is Executive Director of ImagineAsia and lives in New York.
Kaza is a village that lies in the beautiful Spiti valley. I traveled by jeep along the old Hindustan - Tibet road from Shimla and arrived just before sunset. It becomes immediately apparent that one is entering Middle and Greater Himalaya with several peaks reaching 6,000 meters. The area comes within 7 km to the Chinese boarder hence the multitude of military check points and passport controls I had to endure along the way. Mother and Daughter Manali, India 1996 A Mother and her daughter in their home are distracted for a moment and recall the mythological beliefs that mankind was recreated in Manali. Manali, so named from the Hindu God Manu, who like Noah of the Bible survived a Great flood and is believed to reside here. This area of Kullu Valley is also known as the Valley of the Gods as every village has its own deity. It is popular for skiing and surrounded by lush wooden slopes and majestic snow covered peaks. To reach Manali from Spiti I had to cross the Rhotang Pass at 18,600 feet along a road that cut through vast glacial fields 10 stories high. Still Life Dal Lake, India 1996 The “Vale of Kashmir “is legendary for its beauty and tranquility. Dal Lake is one of the worlds highest alpine lakes nestled between the Himalays and the distant Karakorum Mountains. India’s highest mountains are in this area with peaks reaching over 7.00 meters. This region is Indian controlled Kashmir and the peacefulness belies the fact that young Mujahideen soldiers trained in Pakistan are hiding amongst the trees in low lying canoes. Tree of Life Nagin Lake, India 1996 “As above so Below” the four worlds unite in this reflection of a lone tree on Nagin lake. The image mimics the universal spiritual motif common on Kashmiri carpets and textiles and similar to those throughout India and the Middle East. I traveled for 4 days in a cramped Shikara to reach the much smaller and deeper Nagin Lake surrounded on 3 sides by the ever snow capped mountains. The Karakorum Range can be seen in the background. Kashmiri Houseboat living Dal Lake, India 1996 Dal Lake is famous for its Houseboats, introduced by Mogul emperors as summer retreats. This Lake was under deep military protection and tourism was down almost 90% when I visited. This is primarily due to the insurrection from the local population who want to unite with Pakistan. Water Woman Dal Lake, India 1996 The entire Lake area was heavily guarded by Indian army at the time of my visit. Every bridge was sandbagged and patrolled. To get protection at night from the fighting we attached our small Shikara to this woman’s houseboat. I took this photograph at a moment when she was giving us much needed drinking water. The Himalayan Range from Srinigar to Leh, Ladakh, India 1996 The Zoji La termed “the Gateway into Ladakh is a famous high pass over the main Himalayan range from Srinagar to Leh It took two full days by car to cross the great ranges. This is one of the main roads along the Silk Route leading to Leh a high mountain desert town that served as the staging post before entering into China. Lamayuru Monastery Ladakh India, 1996 Ladakh has often been called a Moonscape; a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world’s highest mountains ranges, the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram. Woman with Yak at the Kunzum La Pass Ladakh, India 1996 Ladakh is very similar geologically to the Tibetan plateau and is populated by many Tibetan exiles and people more akin to China and Central Asia than India. Couple at Tag Thog Ladakh, India 1996 Buddhism reached Tibet from India via the Ladakh portion of the Silk route. Boy with Hay Cambre, Ladakh, India 1996 Hindu Woman and Child traveling along Lakir Road Ladakh, India 1996 Man carrying Hay Julichen, Ladakh, India 1996 Shepard Children and Mother Chamre, Ladakh, India 1996 Shepard Girl, Chamre, Ladakh, India 1996 She climbed the tree to pick the young branches for her herd of one goat, a few sheep and a cow. The grass is clipped clean like a well tended golf course green from years of overgrazing..
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