A Photo-Ethnographic Study, A Rural Asian Wedding Travelogue, rajasthan, Tales from Rural India
Published on 24/06/2023
Comments 140

A Memory of the Most Beautiful Woman : A Photographic Recollection of Three Days Living in a Rural Rajasthani Home

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Dhapodi ji became a shepherd once she learnt that she would not be able to give Ambaram any children. Limping, I saw her whole life in that moment as she slowly walked away from us, with his cattle family. She took the responsibility of walking seventy goats and four cows to greener pastures. She used to take them all together for grazing, in rain, in dusty, deadly heat of Rajasthan daily, finding newer fields and branches to eat from all day to come back as the sun sat and help his husband’s second wife in cooking.

Yes, second wife!

Ambaram married again, in search for a boy to continue his lineage. Instead the new couple got five beautiful talkative girls, each a year apart. They went to every temple and sage to pray and ask for their blessing- leaving the older wife- Dhapodi and children back home. It became an irony that on the day Ambaram and Dhapodi got married- twenty years later, a boy arrived from the younger wife.

As i Sit on the ledge of this only White House in the middle of this barren field, writing details to bide my time here, I watch all children chirping on their way to school except the youngest girl- who has found one close buddy in a baby goat.

I remember Dhapodi ji because we never spoke. Over all It must have been over four days as she brought me tea each day and food in the night before leaving back to her part of the hut. Falling sick around her was like i became her new goat. She gave me home medicines like any parent would give.

One night when the family had gone out, i found her working in the candle light in the kitchen. She was cooking but what spirited me up was the light in that room that was falling on her face. I went back, brought my camera and reluctantly asked her if i can make an image of her. I thought she understood but may be not the words. She stood slowly on her one leg, went inside almost making me feel ashamed for even asking! I heard some sounds as if she was finding something- for a moment a ‘stick’ went through my mind but i waited. She came back, and as she walked towards light again- i could see a piece of jewellery placed on her forehead. That must have been from her wedding don’t know how long ago.

I think she looked beautiful. What do you think ?

I photographed her in February 2016 while working on a film.

Tales from Rural India

Also Read : When Brahma Called me to Pushkar and other Stories

Ambaram’s girls with their favourite goat

The White House

With Ambaram’s children

The best food under sky, a traveller can get


I do not know how to put this time to paper because it was such a solitary period in my life that regardless of the work and purpose with which I moved, nothing ever came out of it.

It was also the time when I was losing trust in myself and relationships in general yet the strangers i met on the road were making me a part of their family. I had to stretch to feel well but I was being looked after somehow wherever I travelled.

Travelling in Rajasthan has been the most uncomfortable and devastating period of my life so to say and it wasn’t short. But as you know and see most wells if dug deep enough, give the sweetest water.

If you have been a follower of this blog you must be knowing about my personal project around The Rural Weddings in India that i have been documenting for the longest period as a part of Ancient Life and Research – here, you may remember one Groom who found me sleeping in an abandoned village at night, Veeru. It was here, not exactly right after the wedding, but Veeru travelled with me and took me to his sister’s place, this home that you see in the images.

Just imitating Rajasthani Men here

The rawest and the most popular meal of Rajasthan, ‘Dal Baati choorma’ was specially prepared by Ambaram himself, here his second wife looks over

Dhapodi Ji with the youngest son

Veeru and her elder sister

The daughter was too young and innocent to understand either her adolescence or her destiny. Having been brought up as a son for years, she now considered herself a man. She believed that she would grow a moustache when she got married…

Tales from Rajasthan, Annao Village


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Thank you


If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste

“I will be really happy to offer my photographs for a minimal price. Just so it will help me in keeping these stories, this space and journey alive.”

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You might also like to know about My Little School Project. 

If you wish to come over for a visit someday, that you must, you will be heartily welcome here



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I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly;

As a co-traveller, will take you through the Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.

Also read: 9 Most Read Stories from Road To Nara in 2022



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If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please feel free to write to me at narayankaudinya@gmail.com

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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

140 Comments

  3. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar
    Rosaliene Bacchus says

    What a sad and heartfelt story of a woman denied the fullness of life for her failure to bear children. Thanks for sharing her story and for giving her life with your photo ❤

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply
  15. Sheshansh Singh's avatar
    Sheshansh Singh says

    Simple yet sublime. This is what I feel after reading some of your write ups. All of them are simple and beautiful. One feels as if one is on a journey as the journey progresses one finds happiness filling their heart .

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Even without knowing, what you wrote it is, and how i have lived to find and embrace contentment at all curves that came through. Beautiful Sheshansh. Lovely to have you with your being and understanding. Welcome.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Karima Hoisan's avatar
    Karima Hoisan says

    This photo is magnificent..Her jewel is a very personal touch and speaks so much about her. It was not a vane detail but rather, we see her pride in being her:) Beautiful lighting too! It’s a very special photograph.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Pride and her beauty that she chose and i was honoured truly because she was almost not photographed since her marriage. So it was also something that she felt something to be happy about, even for a few moments, but she carried that in her eyes.
      Well, thank you for your words here dear Karima.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
        • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
          Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

          Well, once tales choose their tellers, they only need ears and eyes patiently wanting to look within and more.
          I am also sure your poems, ones which are carrying magic worlds in lines as short as a drop but each one filling making nectar ponds too many.
          Love having you around dear Karima. Thanks for being here.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  18. Lakshmi Bhat's avatar
    Lakshmi Bhat says

    Yes, she is beautiful. She reminded me of Parvati who used to work in my aunt’s house in Mumbai. This was in early eighties. She could not bear children so her husband married again. But she used to look after the family with her money. My aunt was a great support to her. I left Bombay in 1982. I hear about her from my aunt but never met her again. My aunt too passed away in 1991. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Pranaam. My parents married in 1982, that is one memory i have of that year. i felt instantly emotional reading that Lakshmi ji. I hope you are safe and staying happy in the times. I am pleased to have you here. Your writings are nostalgic as those few photos that you have shared. The world you are carrying with you is precious for all of us to know from, your views and stories. I am looking forward to keep reading from you. Narayan.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      My pleasure Catherine. And you know even though we feel that her’s is a hard life, but i could feel that peace in her. She was happy, quietly living by herself.

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  21. dweezer19's avatar
    dweezer19 says

    I think she is the most beautiful woman I have seen in many years. This story is the most poignant and authentic one I have heard as well. Thank you for sharing it.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  25. cynthiahoffman's avatar
    cynthiahoffman says

    Thanks for checking in on my blog–and I thought I would return the favor. This is a beautiful story, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Mary, lovely to have you. More so Military and Cinema, wow. I haven’t watched 13th warrior though 🙂 and your work is beautiful.
      Happy to have your words dear Mary. Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  28. forresting365's avatar
    forresting365 says

    She is soooo, soooo very beautiful. Her eyes are breathtakingly sweet. How lovely. Wow. Thank You, Narayan. You have this wonderful way of just walking right in to people’s hearts. I hope You are recovering from Your cough! Take care!!! 🤗❤️😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  29. da-AL's avatar
    da-AL says

    of course that’s a rhetorical question ❤ you are beautiful too, for seeing her light & shining it upon us 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  31. gabychops's avatar
    gabychops says

    I re-read this post again, and I am moved by your goodness and kindness. You have the greatness that will lead you to achieve aims beyond your imagination. That I know without any doubt. And I will be there.

    Love,
    Joanna

    Like

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      I always get rushed by, like a flooded river taking everything along herself, you. To tell you i have no idea really. There always has been some friction, some struggle. But a lot of walk, a lot of smile and many a horizons along the way of the golden magic hours.

      Love
      Narayan

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  33. Yetismith's avatar
    Yetismith says

    I agree she is beautiful. The photo suggests something of her nature, I think. The calm acceptance of the second wife and caring for the children. It’s a lovely photo of you with the children, by the way. You seem to have an affinity for them

    Like

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  35. Ashley's avatar
    Ashley says

    Dear Narayan, this weekend seems to me to be all about women and mothers! I find this a powerful story about a beautiful woman. There is a universe in her photograph. 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  38. anne leueen's avatar
    anne leueen says

    I think her face is worth a world of other less travelled faces. Shehas lived and i love that she wanted a iece of jewellry for the photo. thank you for this post Narayan. It took me ot another world.

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    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      How lovely to hear this beautiful comment dear Anne “world a world of other less travelled faces” 💗 Yes she wanted herself to look her best. Who else would come to her home again asking for her priceless face’s photograph.

      Always grateful for your words Anne, Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  39. Lakshmi Bhat's avatar
    Lakshmi Bhat says

    She is beautiful and there is strength in her face. Thank you. Your photos gave me a picture of life in that village.

    Like

    Reply
  42. rothpoetry's avatar
    rothpoetry says

    A wonderful post and really great photos! That is a most interesting story! Very sweet little girls!I got straight to your post page this time!

    Like

    Reply
  43. Jet Eliot's avatar
    Jet Eliot says

    Thank you, Narayan, for these profound words and photos, and for giving us an honorable glimpse of this family.

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  45. thelongview's avatar
    thelongview says

    That’s a real character portrait… She’s lovely! Actually, all the pics in this post are vivid and evocative – the children, the sheep, the house.

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  47. Cindy Georgakas's avatar
    Cindy Georgakas says

    Such a wonderful story Naryan. I love how touching this is and the gif of you in the image of the goat. She sure is beautiful! 💕

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  48. Some Small Things's avatar
    Some Small Things says

    Stunning story and photo. I read it three times, each time slower, to notice more and more detail. The bittersweet longing in her reach for the jewelry…

    Beautiful read.

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