Fakir, 1900

Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd
based on a photographic print by R.C Mazumdar
License this Image

• Collectible giclée fine art print;
• Hand-printed in England, with individual embossing;
• Ships with a Certificate of Authenticity;
• Guaranteed archival quality for over a century;
• Each sale directly supports the artisan;
• Global shipping available;
• Listed dimensions include a white border for easy framing

ABOUT THIS IMAGE

Taken c. 1900, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
(Wellcome Collection)

"Benares, now known as Varanasi is considered one of the great holy cities in India on the banks of the Ganges river. Sādhus, or holy men, of which there are several million, are revered by many Indians, and are a common sight now as they were over a century ago. The long, thick dreadlocks wraps are known as jata. The sādhus' ghostly appearance is explained by smearing themselves in ash from sandalwood, incense, or the ash of cremated bodies.

The origins of the bed of nails can be found in the Mahabharata, an ancient Sanskrit poem. In it, the celibate warrior Bhishma was killed by the archer Arjuna in battle, pierced by innumerable arrows. The sight of Bhishma's fall on a bed of arrows was said to humble the gods."

– Jordan J. Lloyd

This historical photograph has been meticulously researched and rendered into colour from a black and white original by a skilled artisan, continuing a craft tradition that has existed since photography began.