That Sacred Place

Yes, I know this post is long overdue. I’ve been meaning to put pen to paper for quite a while now, but I have been really swamped under. I was out traveling to Benares for a while, after which I was (and still am) sorting out and editing my photographs. Then I was in Bombay for a bit on work and busy with a few projects going on. And work reminds me of a status I posted on Facebook a few weeks ago: “No, I am not a professional photographer. I am a management consultant. I photograph only because I love it – that’s all”. Of course, I got some interesting comments on my status; an accomplished and talented photographer and curator, Susan Aurinko (and you can see her work here and here) said this: “But, if someone should happen to ask who you are, tell them that you are a photographer, please.  Though what you do might be a management consultant, who you are is definitely a photographer.”

And that got me thinking – how true those words are. Photography has permeated each part of my life, the depths of my soul, every bit of my being.  I have changed. No, read that as: photography has changed me. Those who know me personally can safely testify to this. I have this website, I write these posts only because I love photography, I love writing. There is no other reason. Do I really need a reason when I am in love? One of my all-time favorite songs is “Annie’s song” by John Denver – its lyrics best express how I feel for photography:

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again.

Or maybe on a relatively more contemporary note, I could just about use the words of Bryan Adams:

To really love a woman,
Let her hold you
Till you know how she needs to be touched
You’ve gotta breathe her, really taste her
Till you can feel her in your blood
And when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
You know you really love a woman

And this magical feeling that I live with, this can happen to anyone. To you, and you, and also to you. The only thing you need to do is to have a dream. As I mentioned a while back to a close friend of mine: “Sometimes we are so busy doing things we have to do, that we forget what we want to do.”

Find what you want to do. Dream. Chase your dreams. Discover. Strive. Persevere. Make it happen.  It might not happen. But dream.

Build castles in the sand. Build castles in the air. It doesn’t matter. Just build.

Stumble. Fall. Get hurt. But walk.

Love. Feel the joy. Feel the pain. Let your heart shatter. Yet love. Do it again.

Enjoy the ride. Feel the wind. Love the freedom. Be ready for it to stop. Find another.

Fear no loss. Be ready to win. Be ready for loss. But play the game.

Be sentimental. Be emotional. Be sensitive. Feel.

Hop. Skip. Jump. Don’t live. Be alive.

And that is when you will truly, completely, absolutely fall in love. That is when you will feel what I feel at this moment as I type. You will be in a place where there is no one but you and the Creator. Because that is when you will know that Heaven is just another place on Earth. Because that is when you’d have stepped into:

That Sacred Place.

Comments

18 responses to “That Sacred Place”

  1. Greg Buck Avatar

    Once again the work of an outstanding photographer who knows how to capture the moment.

    Debesh portrays the culture of his wonderful nation and its people in its reality.

    His rich writings are filled with passion and love for his culture and its people.

    Debesh to me personally is a true professional, even though Debesh see’s his work as a work of love.

    Debesh you are both.

    Stunning in every sense. Thank you for sharing your world.

    Greg Buck

  2. Leslie S Avatar

    I’ve missed both your writings and your photographs, Debesh. I hope the next wait won’t be so long.

  3. Deo Dasgupta Avatar
    Deo Dasgupta

    This is picture poetry. Awesome.

  4. Emily Mabee Avatar

    Debesh, You most definitely are a writer, a photographer and a mystic. You warm my heart with your words and always at the right time.
    thank you

  5. Eric Hatch Avatar

    You’re such a romantic! Good for you! (In the sense of Coleridge, Yeats, and Wordsworth, not John Denver)

    These pictures are wonderful HOW DID YOU CAPTURE THAT LIGHT? The colors look like something by Turner, though not the organization, of course.

    You are, of course, a photographer, and more than that, you’re a romantic artist. Don’t let anyone kid you about what you are. But, of course, don’t expect to make a living as an artist, though maybe it’s easier in India.

  6. sonika Avatar

    i loved that line….about not needing a reason when i am in love ….how it simplifies everything ….i like simple…

    this time i have no words……because the feelings that this blog evokes within me are sacred too ….and need no voice…
    some things are simply to be felt. and felt alone ….deep inside the pit of your stomach….so hard that it makes you wrap your arms around yourself ,….almost like hugging that sacred place close to you …

    beautifully penned and i liked how somehow …this time…the words were more powerful than the images ,…the images didn’t distract ones attention from them…..and yet hovered powerfully in the background .

  7. Anu Avatar
    Anu

    There is no doubt that you are an artist – a good photographer and a writer, who can express his feelings readily.
    Happy for you that you have reached that “Sacred Place” as you expressed in your
    blog above….
    ‘That is when you will feel what I feel at this moment as I type. You will be in a place where there is no one but you and the Creator. ‘

  8. Caroline Avatar
    Caroline

    That is just “Awesome”. Thank you for sharing your world.

  9. Heidger Marx Avatar

    I am a chemist, a management consultant and a photographer and I bow to you and the inspiration that you provide to me over and over again.
    Change is the only constant in our world, in yours and in mine.
    Thank you for being you, from the bottom of my heart,
    heidger

  10. Akshaya Avatar
    Akshaya

    Debesh, I am so thrilled that you have found your path – many of us still strive to find what we want to do as the ‘have to do’ kind of overwhelms us. Call yourself what you will – consultant, photographer, artist – what you are, in my book, is a bringer of joy!! Keep at it!!!

  11. Paulomi Avatar
    Paulomi

    once again, an inspiring piece of writing… that evokes so many emotions.. thanks for sharing.. and this time though, the words actually spoke more than the pictures..

  12. Harshita Avatar
    Harshita

    Your blog is a journey that is achingly shared with all. Your life, your ideals, your soul, the essence of who you ARE is layed out… bare…naked..proud and beautiful. You inspire many with your words. To me the biggest inspiration I derive from you is the honesty and strength that radiates from you …and the positivity that pervades every word you write and the love in every beautiful picture you make.

  13. Ellen Fisch Avatar

    Wonderful shots! Your sense of color is marvelous. You have an immediacy in your photography that is wonderful!

  14. Mauverneen Avatar

    How right you are Debesh!

  15. Cyretha Avatar
    Cyretha

    What an awesome post!!!! Debesh as you know I have been busy with my own photographs lately and have not been able to comment. This post overwhelmed me with its beautiful images and words. Thanks for the inspiration, encouragement and challenge.

  16. Emily Mabee Avatar

    Your color photography is amazingly beautiful and rich. I also love the b&w versions for the emotional intensity. I cannot say which is best because it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Your words enrich both the color and the b&w. I await your next post.

  17. Debesh Avatar
    Debesh

    To all my friends here: Yes, yet once again I have been tardy in replying to your comments. Each time this happens, I always say, not the next time, but I end up doing it again. No more, I promise.

    Greg: Sir, your ever-encouraging words inspire me always. The kindness and generosity of your soul shines through in what you say. Thank you so much.

    My sincere apologies for this Leslie – much has been happening with me and I am trying to keep my head above the water. I know that this one has also been long overdue, but I am really in the middle of a delicate balancing act. I hope the next won’t be too long – I promise I’ll try. Thank you so much for caring.

    Thank you so much Deo.

    Many thanks Emily. What kind words – I am touched. May God be with you.

    Dear Eric,

    Yes sir, an incurable romantic am I! Thank you so much for such for your words of encouragement. And no sir, I have no intention of making a cent from photography – as I’ve mentioned, I photograph because I love it. To rephrase Descartes, I photograph, therefore I am.

    Sonika: You know these words used here well…we have spoken about this too. May God be with you. Now and always.

    Thank you so much Anu and Caroline. I appreciate your time in writing to me.

    Dear Heidger,

    The friend I have never met, but yet I know. I shall only say your words to you Heidger: “Thank you for being you”. It means a lot to me my dear friend.

    Akshaya mama: How, how can I ever thank you for such kind words. You have been along this journey and those times when you weren’t there, you knew of my journey – and what a ride it has been. So when you say this to me, I am touched deep within where it is really sacred. Thank you – from the bottom of my heart.

    Many, many thanks Paulomi,

    Harshita: I have no words for you my best friend ever – except that you mean the world to me. Much love. Always.

    Thanks so very much Ellen and Mauverneen. I am most grateful to you for writing and inspiring me.

    Dear Cyretha,

    Yes, you have been missed indeed. And it is really nice to hear from you again. All the best for your photography and please do share it with all of us.

    Thank you so very Emily. This is, should I say, a mutually beneficial relationship. I am inspired by your beautiful words always. Most grateful.

  18. neelam Avatar
    neelam

    Beautiful beautiful beautiful….

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