Exploring the Inner Beauty of Beggars through Portrait Paintings
In India, how do you approach beggars? I paint them, capture their essence through my portraits, revealing the honesty, tragic truth and inner beauty. A few years ago, I created this page featuring portraits of beggars in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Now, I am expanding it to include portraits of Indian beggars. As an artist, I am fascinated by them, as I seek to capture their faces in painting.
When I encounter beggars, I feel compelled to help them in some way. In India, I fed them all, despite being cautioned by a brahmana against giving charity. He believed that it could create new karmic relationships, but I couldn't bear to see anyone go hungry. In hindsight, I realize that his words were wise, but at the time, I couldn't resist the urge to alleviate their suffering.
To the brahmana, I say, "Keep your money, Brahmin! I hope you have enough for a ticket to nirvana when death comes." As long as I have something to eat, I will continue to feed the hungry. I have a compassionate heart towards those in need, regardless of cultural norms or beliefs. My portrait paintings of beggars are a testament to the beauty and dignity of all people.
India, everywhere poverty squeaks with all its beaks. How ready are you to be happy?
How do you deal with beggars in India? I feed them, talk to - and paint them.
Compare, if you are encouraged, pages of Beggars and Sadhus. Both of them have nothing, but the nothing can be very different.
Nothing of beggar is a misery. Nothing of Sadhu is on the verge of infinity.
I try to paint beggar who has cut off hands. Maybe his parents did it in preparation for the profession: cripple inspires more pity, has a chance for more donations. I do not trust reality of the world in which I live. It's just a terrible dream from which one needs to wake up.
They have clear attitude to life. They know the law of karma: no one would think of to complain about his fate. They believe that their current suffering will bring a significant improvement in living conditions in the next incarnation.
