The Split of the Chancawalli Rafaees, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

The Chancawalli Rafaees whom I have been shooting for several years have split after the death of Handi Sai, Hassan Ganda and Farooq Bawa have formed their own group , they are nephews of late Handi Sai.
Barsati Bawa has taken over the mantle and position of Handi Sai..he heads the core group with Shahenshah Bawa..
Faiyaz Bawa also has joined another group..

Comment is a Curse in Disguise - Sometimes, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

I am down with a serious viral infection, loose motions,etc etc so am unable to browse..I am just uploading..from my bed..I wont be able to visit your photostream and pass comments please bear with me, I am in real bad shape, I also think in future I will stop commenting on peoples post people misread gratitude and than one is left with no choice but block and move ahead..something has happened .. that made me title this post - comment is a curse in disguise..not sometimes but most of the time..

We are human we err
best friends become foes
Time knows to whom
I refer
My photo stream my home
I prefer
Comment is a curse in disguise
sometimes
I concur

The Dread Head Malangs of Ajmer, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

the dread head malangs of ajmer
come from all parts of india
to take part in this spirtual fair
sitting on the graves
at char yar their lair
black clothes of mourning
they wear
they are not hot headed
like the rafaees or bawas
they do not swear
for their murids
they care
blessing them
in abundance
a moment
called Peace
they equally share
holding on their heads
18 feet long matted hair

Me and Myself, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Sufism a path to peace
humanity you must please
godliness in the soul of every man
seeking an ultimate release
your life a gift of god
given to you on lease

Chained Misery of Man, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

fallen from his grace
the chained misery of man
enslaved to sorrow and despair
no time for a retirement plan
now he crawls once
with the stallions he ran
a rusty razors edge
biting into the soul of man

to monsoon lover -sudip da

I COMPLETE 82000 PHOTO BLOGS AT FLICKR IN 25 MONTHS, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Thank you all..

Picture of a poor family that has come to pay obeisance to the Holy Saint Khwajah Moinuddin Chishty of Ajmer ..Urus Ajmer 2009..

They bathe next to a water pump, food is given by my host Peersaab Fakhru Miya of Hujra No6.., I shot this from the balcony of Peersaabs house..
Their mother cooks too all on this by lane called Sabri Gully..

My Tryst With Hijras..., originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

my tryst with hijras
transgender
eunuchs kinnar
will never end
a path I have taken
a hijra path running
through the soul
of ladies who are gents
lady boys of mumbai
that an androgynous
god represents
an era of soulless
discontent
a commodity bought in rupees
sold in dollars and cents
Tantric pleasure
guaranteed 100 percent

The Happiest Hijra of Ajmer, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

who fucks whom
she did not care
her own peaceful
state of mind
she did bare
no cop
no fucked system
her soul could scare
fuck all hijra haters
she did swear
her beautiful smile
her synthetic pair
the happiest hijra of ajmer
like a robust computer
good hardware
that once damaged
could not be repaired
moments of her tranquility
at moti katla with me
she shared
we looked like
travelers on a journey
the whole world stared

Hijda Kya Hai ?, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

adab aur tehzeeb yeh sikate hain
yeh duniya gol hai andar se pol hai
yeh hame mutthi bhar pyar se dikhate hain
hijra ek aisi purani shaksiyat
ke bade bade kanpkar hijde ban jate hai
do hath ki tali dete hue yeh bhari
mehfil mein char chand lagate hain..

Taunted Barren Leaves, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

patriotism
refuge of scoundrel and thieves
taunted barren leaves
a mother for her dead son grieves
people like bush weapons of mass destruction
a nation forever deceives..
a spider like web on the dead soul
of humanity weaves