Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?
Photo Copyright Suresh Gundappa 2007 Buy this photo from My Gallery
I met this girl parimala in Bangalore along with my daughter few years back. She was inflicted with HIV. We were at orphanage to donate some old clothes of mydaughter. This girl was really excited and she came running to snatch new clothes from my daughter. Aayahs ( servants) rushed immediately to take her back as if she is untouchable. She was pulled back with stern warning not to touch anyone.
She went back and did’t cry. But she gazed into infinity without saying a single word. No she did’t cry, She had grown up too fast for her age. Her eyes had lost every cent of child like exuberence. You can see it for yourself.
These are the moments you wish your camera could just lie, But My Bloody camera – it always reflect reality (whether anyone likes it or not). My camera didn’t lie and neither her eyes which was captured..
I captured her at that moment. I could’t digest that distant look in her eyes. eyes told me million stories none which was within my grasp.
After sometime I gave her clothes and sweets. I said “good bye” , she didn’t care. she was more interested in clothes than me.
I said Goodbye knowing I would never see her again! she didn’t say and she didn’t care coz she was living for that moment!
For some known reasons I did’t go back again! I heard she died quietly.
Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?
HIV patients need our support and this article is dedicated millions of chidren inflicted with HIV.
Love and lots of it
Suresh
note: names and relevant details of the person has been changed to respect their identity.
Sadly this is the case for so many innocent children suffering from HIV all over the world…
Michèle
February 9, 2007 at 10:50 am
What a pair of eyes! wish I can drink all her sorrow from eyes and fill happiness.
Inshalla, suresh great photo but I wish you capture little of these photos! I want you to photograph more beauty from this world as we have enough pain.
I pray to Allah that she reach Janath!
thank you for your one wonderful story and outstanding photograph. My second Namaz happens at your site.
Mansoor
February 9, 2007 at 11:11 am
I had seen this photo earlier in your colletion. I know that pain in her eyes probably because I carry some of them.
Cathy
February 9, 2007 at 11:12 am
These eyes have really so much emotions in them that u can just feel it from this simple photo taken by suresh. i appreciate to bring up such a story.
rachu
February 9, 2007 at 12:35 pm
May her sol rest in peace!.. back to your question. I didn’t and i don’t want to say Suresh.
photopage
February 9, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Suresh,
I was touched deeply by the presence that you captured with your camera, and your own exposed humanity. To me, the true test of spirituality is how a person can be with the pain in the world. Can you meet those eyes? Can you allow them to inform you? This is not someone who you will never meet again, my friend. She is someone who has touched your soul. You carry her in your heart, always.
naturalhigh
February 9, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Naturalhigh is right. Some folks in religions don’t want to get their hands dirty dealing with another’s pain. They’d rather sit comfortably in their chair and send money from afar. Your “ministry” is your photography. You make it real and present for us. Thank you! Ann
mysteryofiniquity
February 9, 2007 at 3:02 pm
looks like I am in for double bonus! Both mysteryofiniquity and naturalhigh commenting around same time is pretty good feeling. thank you both.
For others do visit their sites and it is really worth your time.
Suresh Gundappa
February 9, 2007 at 3:16 pm
You have a powerful way with words and images.
Too powerful.
But that’s a good thing.
And no, I don’t mind if you link me. Thank you for your kind words and helpful hints.
I am slow to add people to my links.
But if you let me know which link is best, I will do my best to put it in my link section.
Thanks,
Jorge
Jorge
February 9, 2007 at 3:37 pm
hello suresh…its been really nice to visit your blogspot…you are maintaining really nice blog…thanks for visiting mine…keep it up…happy blogging…:)
wishes,
samiha esha
samiha esha
February 9, 2007 at 4:57 pm
One of the most impactual photos I have ever seen. Stunning. I have never had AIDS/HIV affect anone I have ever known, but I can’t imagine what people infected with it go through. Definetly a cause for pause and reflection
josephbuffett
February 9, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Honor and dignity.
Your photography contains so much honor and dignity of its subject.
How do you achieve this? What is your ‘Secret’?
geder
February 10, 2007 at 1:39 am
Death is something you never understand by reading untill you lose your loved one. I lost someone I loved dearly for HIV.
He was too young to die but irresponsibility on his way of life took his life.
But parimals eyes send me into spin. I took lot of courage to write this much as I have been crying for sometime.
There are photographers who take great photographs and there is you who captures God in your photographs.
What a combination? sense of wisdom and heart trenching photos – I pray that you continue this good work for longtime and touch many more hearts.
GOd bless you.
Susan
February 10, 2007 at 3:53 am
this post just cudnt stop me from commenting. one can grasp the depth of her thoughts in mind through her eyes. one of the best phtographs i have seen. may her soul rest in peace.
kaushik
February 10, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Another stunning and thought provoking photogrpah.
and to answer your question – yes I have – on several occassions but never under circumstances such as this.
Nicola
February 10, 2007 at 3:38 pm
That is heartbreaking.
icedmocha
February 10, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I came back to just tell you even now these eyes are haunting me in my sleep and it has disturbed me badly.
God – you and your blog! I don’t know what to say!
Susan
February 10, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Thank you for sharing Parimala with us and your story. This is one of the most powerful photos I’ve seen. It is at once heartbreaking and heart-opening!
I’ve often said goodbye to people knowing it was quite likely I would never see them again, but it’s only been with the dying that I knew that was the case. My experience with my mother’s dying came immediately to mind. She left us slowly over a period of several months. Again and again my heart would break open with the knowing that soon she’d be gone. It is incomprehensible and unbearable and yet contains a recognition of the full measure of ones love.
simplybeing
February 10, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog. I decided to stop by yours and wow! I was hit instantly by your unbelievable photo of this little girl.
Thankyou so much for sharing her story. The look in her eyes says it all. She brings a lump to my throat.
retardedrugrat
February 10, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Her eyes, without words, tell her story…
Amazing pictures on your blog. Kudos!
april fool
February 11, 2007 at 5:20 am
This is one of your more personal posts, Suresh. It must have been quite an emotional experience as you write from the heart, my friend. Sometimes you have to experience certain events before it’s possible to truly understand. This is a tragic tale that is repeated constantly so your dedication to the cause is commendable. We have a lot of work to do.
I think it’s also difficult to lose somebody close in life WITHOUT ever having the chance to say good bye. How many times has that happened?
As always,
Gracie
February 11, 2007 at 8:07 am
you are touching my heart with your photos and words.
Ido Levi
February 11, 2007 at 8:11 am
[...] his very interesting blog, Suresh has an arresting photograph, and a story to match, about a little girl he met – she was HIV [...]
The eyes say it all…. at Blogbharti
February 11, 2007 at 10:00 am
Great picture! (As are the other ones.) But this one has such a story. I work with AIDS orphans in Kyiv…
The eyes tell it all…
Ukrainiac
February 11, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Tragic. Will they ever be filled with light?
Vi
February 11, 2007 at 2:15 pm
i’m deeply moved. what an amazing photo!
Philters
February 11, 2007 at 4:13 pm
This is very touching. I wish people in India are more sensitive to the needs of HIV patients. I wish they give them the necessary love to make them feel better in their short life. Thank you for the good work you are doing and thank you for highlighting this.
Krish
February 11, 2007 at 8:39 pm
the foto is very nice…
u capture what u feel..That is the mark of a good photographer…
preethi
February 11, 2007 at 9:15 pm
One thing is good, now the awareness is been spreading quite faster!!
I see lot of them on Radios & TV’s.. good thing is if the pregnant woman is treated well in advance, they can as well save kids like this from getting infected…
Nice post & I feel sad that this small baby couldn’t even see the good things around her & lost the battle in the middle, let her soul rest in peace
-Veena
Veena
February 12, 2007 at 6:33 am
A picture, they say, speaks a thousand words. Your body of work does just that. I am awestruck. Indeed, what enamours the visitor to you blog is the fact that you’ve woven touching stories behind every photograph, thus allowing the viewer to learn more about the subject photographed, the circumstances they were photographed under and above all, your personal thoughts and emotions at that magical moment.
Brilliant effort!
greatunknown
February 12, 2007 at 2:11 pm
It hits you in the heart. we are here for a brief moemnt even if you live to be 100 years old…
Heliocentric
February 12, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Thank you for visiting my site ~ it is a great pleasure to see yours too! i agree with “greatunknown” ~ this blog you have created is a beautiful gift to all of us!
Since seeing this photograph, i am struck by how well she embodies the Buddha’s very reason for his search to end all suffering. Also, i can’t help but remember my own “near death experience” and to share that death is a most beautiful thing!!! It is the unflinching Life that i see in her eyes, and great courage.
tarasarah
February 12, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Very good photo! Touching
Followed up by powerfull narration!
Hope the awareness of how to keep away AIDS spreads quickly.
M O H A N
February 13, 2007 at 8:02 am
Very sad story. And the message is very powerfully narrated through your words & the photo.
Prashanth M
February 13, 2007 at 8:18 am
Suresh.. what a picture.. those haunting eyes… wonderful post as well..
Vijay
February 14, 2007 at 4:37 pm
You are so talented at capturing the moment. My heart breaks for this child and children at large that have to live like this.
blessed1
February 16, 2007 at 6:13 pm
its very strange to hear and read such article i wonder why small kids gone thru this disease poor child its really touchy….
syeda
February 17, 2007 at 9:36 am
Amazing photograph! Sad situation
Can I post this on my blog with a link here, please?
ilker
March 20, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Sure Go ahead! It’s great honor to have you around!
Suresh Gundappa
March 21, 2007 at 4:51 am
Softly, humbly, I say, thank-you for educating us.
Kerrie
April 3, 2007 at 5:26 am
Opps! here’s the correct url_ Kerrie
Kerrie
April 3, 2007 at 5:35 am
Speechless Sir …. may Pramila’s soul RIP .
Thiru
April 23, 2007 at 6:59 pm
She is beautiful, too bad she wasn’t’ allowed to go on and be a loving daughter, devoted mom, or dedicated teacher. Answer to your question: It took a couple of minutes to compose myself before I could even begin to write this comment. Yes, my father also passed away very recently and we lived while watching him die over a period of a few months. We said our goodbyes at the end knowing he wouldn’t be there to say it back the very next day. I KNOW their souls are resting in peace. I couldn’t go on otherwise.
sia
Sia
September 25, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I drink from the sorrow of the young… feeding on their loss.
Rase Isht
November 17, 2007 at 2:24 pm
that was a beautiful story and the photo really illustrates it so well. There are tears in my eyes.
Jennie Owen
November 18, 2007 at 3:46 pm
[...] presents Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever? « Meditation Photography posted at Meditation Photography, saying, "Eyes are an amazing science. What you see can [...]
Best Yoga, Meditation & Personal Development Blogs & Articles
February 21, 2008 at 5:27 pm
She did not die alone. God Almighty has rescued her from this evil world in which we live.
Her eyes are the eyes of the Lord. She has been saved from the trials and tribulations from this world. All glory goes to God the saviour.
Michael
April 28, 2008 at 4:14 am
u r doing really a good work . i had open this first time and found it very nice ………….
keep it up………….
komal
May 10, 2008 at 5:41 pm
it was one of the most touching photo+blog ever read, it is not just that girl, it is photographer also needs to be a good human to understand the pain and capture on camera
shashi
October 1, 2008 at 3:34 am