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Max Mueller Bhavan | Indien

Pubarun Basu | Fotoserie
 In the Name of God

Die Fotoserie schildert den Weg der Ramnamis, eines Stammes der unteren Kaste in Indien, zur Freiheit und die permanente Tätowierung von „Ram“ als Akt des Widerstands gegen das Kastenregime.

  • Ram Sadhak ji offers his prayers to the Almighty. The name of Ram is etched in parallel lines across his forehead. © Pubarun Basu
    Ram Sadhak ji offers his prayers to the Almighty. The name of Ram is etched in parallel lines across his forehead.
  • The mukut or headgear stand as a strong cultural emblem for the Ramnamis, constituting their religious identity. The helm is painted with bright colours with a white piece of cloth tied around it that mentions the name of Ram in repetition. On top, a flock of peacock feathers signify its rich mythological connotation. © Pubarun Basu
    The mukut or headgear stand as a strong cultural emblem for the Ramnamis, constituting their religious identity. The helm is painted with bright colours with a white piece of cloth tied around it that mentions the name of Ram in repetition. On top, a flock of peacock feathers signify its rich mythological connotation.
  • Ram Pyare ji, the Adhyaksh of the sect, lives a humble life as a farmer in his village. He often reminisces the struggles in his youth as a Ramnami. © Pubarun Basu
    Ram Pyare ji, the Adhyaksh of the sect, lives a humble life as a farmer in his village. He often reminisces the struggles in his youth as a Ramnami.
  • The Ramnami sect was started by Parasuram in the 1890s. The shack that once saw the rise of the rebellion is now home to the Upasak of the tribe. Karthik Ram ji, the son of Parasuram, now sits at the top of the hierarchy. He has grown weary with age, but his spirit remains indomitable to this day. The tattoos on his skin have lost their permanence in the transience of time. Every now and then, he breaks into a bhajan, sung in praise of Lord Ram. © Pubarun Basu
    The Ramnami sect was started by Parasuram in the 1890s. The shack that once saw the rise of the rebellion is now home to the Upasak of the tribe. Karthik Ram ji, the son of Parasuram, now sits at the top of the hierarchy. He has grown weary with age, but his spirit remains indomitable to this day. The tattoos on his skin have lost their permanence in the transience of time. Every now and then, he breaks into a bhajan, sung in praise of Lord Ram.
  • The frail hands of an elderly couple caress a memory from their past. This studio portrait of Karthik Ram ji is one of their prized possessions, more so because it highlights his tattoos that once were his weapon of resistance. © Pubarun Basu
    The frail hands of an elderly couple caress a memory from their past. This studio portrait of Karthik Ram ji is one of their prized possessions, more so because it highlights his tattoos that once were his weapon of resistance.
  • Ramcharitmanas, the holy scripture followed by the Ramnamis, talks about the deeds of Lord Ram through its poetic lines. The book acts as a source of inspiration for the community and establishes a sense of morality in their conscience. Quotes from the scriptures are often found to be painted on the blue walls of their homes. © Pubarun Basu
    Ramcharitmanas, the holy scripture followed by the Ramnamis, talks about the deeds of Lord Ram through its poetic lines. The book acts as a source of inspiration for the community and establishes a sense of morality in their conscience. Quotes from the scriptures are often found to be painted on the blue walls of their homes.
  • The love of this elderly couple has lasted throughout the decades. Sukhwara bai and Karthik Ram ji live a life of peace, always catering to each other's needs. This old memoir, however, highlights a sense of vigour in their personality that they possessed during their fight against social injustice. © Pubarun Basu
    The love of this elderly couple has lasted throughout the decades. Sukhwara bai and Karthik Ram ji live a life of peace, always catering to each other's needs. This old memoir, however, highlights a sense of vigour in their personality that they possessed during their fight against social injustice.
  • The Bhajan Mela is a time of the year when the Ramnamis living in villages far apart gather together to celebrate their heritage and legacy through their traditional folk songs. The bhajans narrate the story of the conquests of Ram and reflect on the undying fidelity of the Ramnamis to their deity. Karthik ji proudly holds up a picture showing the community of elders, some of the original Ramnamis. Unfortunately, many of them lost their struggle to Covid and the last of the tattooed women passed away the previous year. © Pubarun Basu
    The Bhajan Mela is a time of the year when the Ramnamis living in villages far apart gather together to celebrate their heritage and legacy through their traditional folk songs. The bhajans narrate the story of the conquests of Ram and reflect on the undying fidelity of the Ramnamis to their deity. Karthik ji proudly holds up a picture showing the community of elders, some of the original Ramnamis. Unfortunately, many of them lost their struggle to Covid and the last of the tattooed women passed away the previous year.
  • The white attire of the Ramnamis draws a contrast to their mud houses. A few of the settlements have undergone a modern transformation, although still possessing a rustic charm from the bygone era. © Pubarun Basu
    The white attire of the Ramnamis draws a contrast to their mud houses. A few of the settlements have undergone a modern transformation, although still possessing a rustic charm from the bygone era.
  • Blessed with two young grandkids, most of Ram Pyare ji's days are now spent playing with them. The rebellion against systematic oppression has subsided, hence the younger generation find it unnecessary to tattoo themselves. However, the faiths and beliefs of the people remain true to their identity. © Pubarun Basu
    Blessed with two young grandkids, most of Ram Pyare ji's days are now spent playing with them. The rebellion against systematic oppression has subsided, hence the younger generation find it unnecessary to tattoo themselves. However, the faiths and beliefs of the people remain true to their identity.
  • Two school kids stand at the entrance of the meeting hall that was once used to host conferences amongst the elders of the clan. The advent of modernity has led a wave of change through the village. © Pubarun Basu
    Two school kids stand at the entrance of the meeting hall that was once used to host conferences amongst the elders of the clan. The advent of modernity has led a wave of change through the village.
  • The name of Ram is found in every nook and corner of the villages. It rightfully reflects on the devotion of the Ramnamis to their religious hero. © Pubarun Basu
    The name of Ram is found in every nook and corner of the villages. It rightfully reflects on the devotion of the Ramnamis to their religious hero.
  • Denied entry into temples, the Ramnamis discovered their own way of connecting with the Almighty. They set up shrines in nature, made out of rocks - symbolising their deities. The shrine of Hanuman, located right outside their home, is worshipped by them to this very day. © Pubarun Basu
    Denied entry into temples, the Ramnamis discovered their own way of connecting with the Almighty. They set up shrines in nature, made out of rocks - symbolising their deities. The shrine of Hanuman, located right outside their home, is worshipped by them to this very day.

 

ÜBER DIE SERIE

Die Ramnami-Sekte ist seit der Mogulzeit mit einer Geschichte systematischer Unterdrückung belastet. Als Angehörige der unteren Kaste wurde den Stammesangehörigen jahrhundertelang der Zutritt zu Tempeln verwehrt und sie wurden als Unberührbare behandelt. Nach einer Reihe von Ereignissen, die ihnen die Freiheit der Religionsausübung nahmen, wurde der Stamm an die Grenzen der sozio-politischen Tyrannei gedrängt. Die indigene Identität dieser ethnischen Gruppe wurde ihnen von den Gemeinschaften der oberen Kaste genommen. Im späten 19. Jahrhundert wurde ein Held namens Parasuram geboren, der sich aus der Asche der Meuterei erhob und die Ramnami-Sekte gründete, um dem Kastenregime zu trotzen. Der Name "Ram" wurde auf die nackte Haut aller Mitglieder des Stammes tätowiert, um eine stille, aber kraftvolle Botschaft zu vermitteln, dass Gott allgegenwärtig ist.

Auch ihre weißen Gewänder waren mit dem Namen Ram verziert, während die Pfauenfedern auf ihren Kopfbedeckungen eine reiche mythologische Bedeutung hatten. Obwohl das Stigma, das den Stämmen der unteren Kaste anhaftet, immer noch auf den Menschen lastet, hat die Reise der Ramnamis in die Freiheit einen friedlichen Abschluss gefunden. Infolgedessen hält es die jüngere Generation nicht mehr für nötig, den Bräuchen zu folgen, die einst von den Älteren institutionalisiert wurden. Die Tätowierungen sind mit der Zeit verblasst, ebenso wie ihre Bedeutung. Dennoch bleiben sie auf der Haut als ständige Erinnerung an den Unabhängigkeitskampf der Ramnamis eingebrannt.

Die Ramnamis führen heute ein bescheidenes Leben in den Dörfern von Janjgir-Champa in Chhattisgarh, verborgen vor den Blicken der modernen Welt. Während die Landwirtschaft nach wie vor ihre Haupteinnahmequelle ist, haben sich die Söhne und Töchter der Ramnamis auf der Suche nach Arbeitsplätzen in verschiedenen Sektoren in die Städte begeben. Die Sekte hat sich in einzelne Gemeinschaften aufgeteilt, die über den ganzen Bezirk verstreut sind. Dennoch kommen sie jedes Jahr zusammen, um ihre Geschichte mit einem Bhajan-Festival zu feiern. In den Versammlungssälen, in denen einst die Rebellion Gestalt annahm, leben heute junge Studenten, die eine bessere Zukunft anstreben. Der Name Ram ist in jedem Winkel der Dörfer zu finden. Die Ramnamis, die meisten von ihnen in ihren 70ern, sind nur noch ein flüchtiger Anblick auf dem indischen Festland.

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