I have removed the comment box..at Flickr, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

All these pictures that I have posted so far both of the Urus and the Hijras were shot in a single night , the night I arrived in Ajmer 27 June 2009 ..I shot a 4 GB card in a few hours.

I have come to terms with my life as a blogger here on Flickr, I have decided to remove the comment boxes from all my new sets , I have also decided not to comment on anybody's post for sometime or perhaps completely, I am fed up of saying nice shot, nice capture , the very thought kills me..

Most of the time a comment by me is misunderstood, and an incident that happened recently has put me off completely of comments and commenting here on Flickr , I owe no one , no one owes me, I am humble I can apologize for an unintentional hurt and will not lick ass even if it is 100 American or made in New Orleans ..

I will block friends if the need arises..I have done it already.. I am one mad Indian blogger who wont take shit anymore, you dont like my stuff move on..I am still in bed ..and maybe you might take this as my viral rant but it is for real..

The Hijra Dies Standing, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

when death comes
the hijra is on his feet
death his saviour
he wont cheat
namaskar salutations
he will greet
buried erect head up
his maker he will meet
androgynous hopes
wrapped in a bed sheet
tear drops that flow
down a nameless street
his mission over
control alt delete

Zanjirwale Bawa - Chained Mystic, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

I have been shooting him for several years,his name is Zanjirwale Bawa , I have a separate set of his pictures on Flickr also..He is bound to chains permanently all welded so he cannot remove them at all, within the gap of the chains are bleeding sores,he does not bathe, but he does not stink either, if he bangs his head against the wall, fragrance of rose emanates from his being..

This time one of his devotees has given him a a motorbike with a special carrier for him to ease his travel, he has a driver too for the bike..

I missed Bawa when I arrived late in the night at Ajmer on 28 th June 2009 ..I could not see him, when I shot the earlier pictures, this was a lot I shot the following morning on 29 June 2009 ..


Bawa wears chains in memory of the Fourth Imam Zainul Abedin, and Bawa is a Sunni .also a firm believer of Imam Hussain and the Ahle Bayt..

He curses the killers of Imam Hussain openly in public.

Bawa and I share a very unique relationship..that began first at the Tomb of the Holy Saint of Chancawalli in Andheri..East.Mumbai..and has continued and flourished till date.
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The Hijra On A Spiritual Landscape, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

they come from near
they come from far
the hijra on a spiritual landscape
from the clutches of their domesticity
they seek a heavenly escape
dark, fair, tall , old young
some who actresses
like aishwarys ape
dressed in all finery
in chiffon, in silk in nylon
some in cotton crepe
people on the streets
near the bulund darwaza
watch them all agape
on the tomb of the Holy Saint
the hijras chaddar drape
dancing trinkets
on their manly feet
their sensual bodies in
glass hour shape
khawajah
mere khwajah
resounding
from the cassette tape

The Minstrels at Moti Katla Hijda Paradise, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

These are nomadic singers are performers , they sing praise of the Holy Saint Khwajah Moinuddin Chishty al Sabri, they are melodramatic and it is their emotional theatrics I shot..

These minstrels mostly hang around Moti Katla where most of the rich and affluent Hijras and transgender reside during the annual celebrations of the Holy Saint called Urus.
The hijras love music and pay generously,.

Another group of professionals that make good money of the Hijras are the good looking, muscular cute raw masseur boys.
They are in great demand out here more about them later ..I have about 2500 pictures to post..

I am relieved I dont have to answer comments..a task which took most of my time..

The Muslim Beggar Womans Shame, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

from the sorrow of her broken home
with battered wings held in captivity
singed by a candle flame
borrowed hopes
without a rail ticket
to Ajmer she came
begging from the hijras
at Moti Katla
the Muslim beggar
womans shame
earnestly invoking
his Holy Name
a pawn of ill doomed
fate she became
a lost marriage , four children
a drunken husband who is lame
the torrential storms of calamity
she helplessly could not tame
life could have been worse
but He takes care of her
a victim of a man made cruel game
Muslim macho male dominated
society another innocent claims
her world before before she was born
was already gutted inflamed
in the name of sanctimonious dogma
its womanhood we defame
the Muslim man goes Scott free
its the Muslim woman we frame