Along the banks of the Hooghly River in Calcutta lies the Mallick Ghat Flower Market, where Danish photographer Ken Hermann shot these pics of India’s Flower Men. Fabulously draped in garlands of hibiscis and roses. the bloom sellers make quite a style statement.
From the Daily Mail: ‘I first went to the flower market during a visit to Calcutta three or four years ago and have wanted to do something on it ever since,’ explains Copenhagen-based Hermann. ’It’s a beautiful and, at the same time, very stressful place but I was fascinated with it – and the flower sellers in particular. I really like the way they carry their flowers,’ he continues.
‘Sometimes it almost looks like they are wearing big flower dresses. I like that you see these strong and masculine men handling the flowers with so much care as if they were precious jewels.’
‘There are a lot of superstitions and religious belief in flowers in India,’ he explains. ‘I wasn’t allowed to photograph some of them because they were considered to be holy flowers and they would lose their power if I had.’
Among them are the blood-red hibiscus beloved of Kali, Lakshmi’s fragrant lotus flowers, Saraswati’s champa (Indian magnolia) and the wonderfully named Flame of the Forest (yellow palash).
The men themselves, however, proved to be willing accomplices. ‘Most of the people didn’t mind having their photo taken – provided it didn’t take too long,’ says Hermann.
‘All of the flower sellers were busy working and didn’t want to lose any business.’ He adds: ‘Hopefully, people find the portraits interesting: even though some of the flower sellers are poor, they are still very proud of what they do and I hope people can see that.’
See more of Ken’s work at kenhermann.dk
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