Indian photographer Arko Datta has won the prestigious 2004 World Press Photo Award for his picture of this Indian woman genuflecting in absolute sorrow at the death of a relative killed in the Asian tsunami. The Voice of America reports:
The picture, taken by Reuters photographer Arko Datta, shows a woman lying on sandy ground with her hands turned toward the sky. The hand of a dead relative is visible nearby.
The photo, taken in Cuddalore in India’s Tamil Nadu state two days after the December 26 tsunami, was one of nearly 70,000 pictures submitted by professional photographers from 123 countries.
One of the judges, Kathy Ryan from The New York Times called the image graphic, historic and starkly emotional.
Mr. Datta will receive the distinguished award, along with nearly $13,000, in a special ceremony in Amsterdam in April.
I am drawn to the edge of the picture but dare not seek to uncover what lies beyond. It is as if the left edge represents the divide between this world and the next. From our vantage point it seems we have been thrust upon the scene to either speak some words of comfort to this woman or administer last rights to the dead.
But know that by whom this entire body is pervaded, is indestructible. No one is able to cause the destruction of the imperishable soul. –Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2 verse 17
Some how I see it as cashing on others emotion…
Does the woman in the pic get any monetary benefits? May be arko dutta is richer by few millions!! Duh…
Geez, I thought I was cynical. We each play our own parts. Some bare witness. I highly doubt Dutta was contemplating dollar signs as he was snapping this picture.
Abhi I think you would agree that moments like these are private and when someone gets a reward for potraying it, it strikes a painful nerve somewhere. Yet I agree with you, the photographer probably wasn’t thinking about money, the woman probably didnt care who was photographing here, and it can be argued that images like this help the world be a part of other people’s sorry. Yet when I see the photo, I feel like an intruder, like I don’t belong in this very private moment.
I meant other people’s sorrow. sigh
I had some of the same thoughts. On one hand, it’s a beautiful photo capturing everything Abhi described. On the other hand, i feel i’m intruding on someone else’s privacy.
On one hand, I love photojournalists — they serve the role of capturing moments we all need to see, whether in war, famine, disaster, or celebratory or happy moments. On the other hand, I don’t know if i could ever be one myself (if i even had the talents) as I’d want to go running around getting waiver forms signed by people I took pictures of saying “excuse me miss, can i publish this picture of you suffering, it’ll really help others to see it”. You see my dilemma…
Anyway, some other absolutely amazing photos can be seen at the World Press Photo site. Click on the winner’s gallery for 2005 for some stunning photos and stories behind them.
I wonder how many photographers rushed to the tsunami sites to get “good pictures”… (entries were submitted from 123 countries?!)
I doubt Darko made millions, the image is owned by Reuters.
Art for art’s sake – Théophile Gautier.
I have one request to all who commented above, do not pass your judgement on something/someone unless you witness it yourself. Stick to your TV screens and watch Hindi soaps.
I think Arko did his best, it takes a lot of courage to emotionally hold yourself and do your job well at the same time.
He definitely gave fame and pride to India. You all give SHAME.
dear alok, why does everything have to become a patriotism issue? how is discussing the motives of the photographer shameful for the country? and how exactly, in your twisted saffron-tinged brain, does this photograph appear to have brought “fame and pride to india?”