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In this archive story we are wandering around photographing people at the Azad Market Road of Delhi in India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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In Delhi it stinks and the air seems to be standing as the photographer took this photograph of Indian man covering himself in a traditional scarf at the Azad Market Rd. It was probably around 30 degrees, when the photographer was walking through the district and was squeezing himself past traders, beggars and rickshaws of the heat and smog in Delhi. |
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Azad Market Rd portraiture
More than 12 million people live in the Indian capital. It smells of spices and incense sticks. Despite indigenous clothes the photographer fall as a white course immediately and everyone wants to offer him their services and some boys want to touch his hair. He arrived at night and still remember he was surprised by the multitude of people on streets, under streets, between streets, on cars, on buses, sleeping, lying or eating. There was a very peculiar smell in the air mixed with smell clouds of food, incense, 'Chai tea' or exhaust fumes.
What is a smell?
A smell is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds that are generally found in low concentrations that humans and animals can perceive by their sense of smell. A smell is also called a 'Scent', which can refer to either a pleasant or an unpleasant smell. |
Variety of smells and odors in India
India is a country full of wonderful and unique odors. From the smell of spices and curry in the marketplaces to the aroma of incense burning in temples, India is truly a land of scent. In India, the scents of the streets are a mix of fragrant spices, smoke from cooking fires and the smell of incense, which is widely used for both religious and medicinal purposes and the smell of jasmine, sandalwood and rose petals are also common as offerings to the gods.
The issue of hygiene in India
Hygiene in India is an issue that has been gaining more attention in recent years. India is home to a population of 1.3 billion people and although the country has made progress in providing access to clean water and sanitation, there are still significant gaps in hygiene standards and practices. The lack of proper hygiene in India has been linked to a host of health issues, such as increased risk of 'Diarrheal diseases', skin infections and respiratory problems. Poor sanitation, in particular, has been identified as a major contributor to India's high infant mortality rate. In recent years, the Indian government has taken steps to address the issue of hygiene in India.
Government initiatives
The Government of India launched the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan', which is also known as 'Clean India Mission' in 2014 to promote better sanitation and hygiene practices, where the mission aims to make India open defecation free by 2019 . The government has also launched several initiatives to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation. For instance, the 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan', which is also known as 'Clean India Campaign', which is providing financial assistance to households to build toilets and promote the use of toilets. The Indian government has also implemented several awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of hygiene and these campaigns have focused on topics such as hand washing, proper disposal of waste and the use of public toilets.
Working to improve hygiene in India
In addition to government initiatives, there are several private organizations that are working to improve hygiene in India. For instance, the non-profit organization 'WaterAid India' is working to provide access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in rural communities. Ultimately, there is still much work to be done in order to improve hygiene in India. However, with increased focus from both the government and private organizations, India is making progress in providing access to clean water and sanitation and promoting better hygiene practices.
"In cities, the smell of exhaust from buses and automobiles can mix with the smells of street food and garbage and the smell of food is also a defining smell of India. From the tangy aromas of curries to the sweetness of desserts and the freshness of 'Naans', the smell of Indian cuisine is unmistakable. The streets of India are filled with the aromas of sizzling street food, such as 'Samosas', 'Pakoras' and 'Chaat'"
Significance of the smells
In addition to the smells of food, Indians also use incense to create a pleasant aroma in their homes. Incense is commonly used in religious ceremonies and is believed to carry prayers to the gods. The smell of incense is a reminder of the spiritual power of India's religious traditions. The smell of India is truly unforgettable and is an integral part of the culture. From the smells of the markets to the fragrant incense, the scents of India are a reminder of the beauty and diversity of this amazing country.
Traditional street food in India is also full of wonderful smells wafting through the air. The smell of incense sticks, known as 'Agarbatti', is also a common smell in India. These fragrant sticks are used in many religious ceremonies and often have a sweet and spicy scent. The smell of jasmine, a popular flower in India, is also often used in incense sticks, giving off a sweet, floral scent.
The smell of sandalwood is another common scent in India. Sandalwood is used in many religious ceremonies and is believed to have spiritual properties. The wood is often burned to produce a fragrant smoke that is used to purify the air and is believed to bring calmness and peace and the smell of rain is also a distinctive smell in India, where the monsoon season brings a refreshing smell of rain that is a welcome relief from the summer heat.
India is a country full of wonderful smells that evoke memories and create a unique atmosphere. From the fragrant spices of Indian cuisine to the sweet and spicy aromas of incense sticks, the smells of India are sure to make your experience unforgettable.
Delhi is both confusing and enjoyable
The photographer stands for a moment, and let himself act on what he sees. In a corner women sell vegetables and fruit, into the other urinate a man. Children walk crisscrossed through the streets. On the ground lie the remains of spitting-out 'Paan', the Indian chewing tobacco, which reminds of the color a bit of blood. From the corners of his eye he sees something hanging, loose electric cables on a decayed colonial building, a remnant of the English. With a 'Tuk-tuk' he lets go to the next subway station his driver tells him that there are subways in Delhi only since some years ago. In his broken English he also explains the basic rules of Indian road traffic. You need 'A good horn, good brakes and good luck'. A good horn, good brakes and loads of luck. He laughs a toothless laugh. And the photographer also experiences the same, the first come first. Or whoever is loudest, comes through.
Another very memorable sense-impression. The volume level was surprisingly high and was defined mainly by honking cars. A week passed, when he as a Traveler and photographer had mainly to deal with these external impressions, through much sleep and in conversation with his environment in India.
The Indian hygiene
The hygiene in India can not be compared with our European standards, which is a test for our organism, which is based on clean conditions. With only a few exceptions, India travelers are plagued by violent 'Diarrhea'. Even when adhering to all hygiene rules, you are often not spared. It is therefore sensible, if you equip your travel pharmacy accordingly or if necessary in case you advise in a pharmacy.
"Some European medicines, such as 'Imodium', which suppresses the 'Diarrhea' will not help you. If 'Diarrhea' is mentioned, it must also be mentioned at the same time that there are only a few public toilets in India and if so, they are often in an absolutely desolate state"
Finding a toilet in India
lso in restaurants or sights you are looking in vain. Frequently, men can be seen standing at the edge of the road and easing themselves. The women, on the other hand, prefer to drink as little as possible, even in great heat, in order to last until the evening. As a traveler, it is advisable to plan his toilets well and to take advantage of every possible possibility 'Prophylactically'. Public authorities, museums and hotels usually have the best chance of finding a toilet.
See this video about toilets in India made by The Better India.
"- As I stepped out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, a wave of unfamiliar scents hit me. The air was a mixture of spices, pollution and human sweat. As a frequent traveler, I have been to many cities with distinct smells, but nothing prepared me for the olfactory overload in Delhi. My first really encounter with the city's odors was during my walk from the hotel the next day. The streets were chaotic, with cars, rickshaws and people all competing for space. The smell of exhaust fumes and garbage filled my nostrils, making it hard to breathe especially along the larger roads. Capturing odors in photos is almost impossible, but that did not prevent me from trying to do it and in some pictures he might even succeed with it", the Photographer says.
"- My first trip outside the hotel was to the narrow alleys of Pahar Ganj were filled with the aroma of street food and I couldn't resist trying some of the local delicacies. From the spicy 'Chaats' to the fragrant 'Biryanis', each bite was a burst of flavours and smells. However, the crowded streets and the heat made the experience a bit overwhelming and I was glad to escape to a quieter area of the city", the Photographer says again.
"- One of the most fascinating but also challenging experiences for my sense of smell was visiting the bustling Chandni Chowk market. The narrow lanes were lined with shops selling everything from clothes to spices. The constant haggling and the smell of thousands of people in close proximity created a distinct and pungent odor. I couldn't help but feel a bit queasy, but I soldiered on, determined to explore the vibrant market. Another aspect of Delhi's odors that caught me by surprise was the smell of cows. The animals roam freely on the streets and their pungent smell is an integral part of the city's character. It took some getting used to, but eventually, I learned to appreciate the bovine presence in the city", the Photographer says again.
"- Perhaps the most challenging part of my stay in Delhi was the constant battle with the pollution. The city's air quality is notorious and the smog was thick, making it hard to see the beautiful sights of the city. The smell of pollution lingered everywhere, even inside my hotel room and despite the overwhelming smells, I couldn't help but fall in love with Delhi. The city's vibrant culture and rich history were worth enduring the challenging odors. I learned to embrace the diverse smells, from the spicy food to the pungent streets, as part of the Delhi experience. As I left Delhi, I couldn't help but take a deep breath and savor the mix of smells one last time. It may have been challenging at times, but the city's distinct odors have made my journey to Delhi a truly unforgettable one", the Photographer says again.
Read also: Crowded places in India
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India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of a sleeping man at the Azad Market Road in Delhi. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.
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