Photo 150(17)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Studio portrait of two men. This photograph also appears as no. 17 in 'The Indian Amateur's Photographic Album' (1856-58) as part of the 'Costumes and Characters of Western India' series, with the following letterpress description:

'Vishnu Bhiku, well known of late in Bombay as 'The Bawa', is by birth a Brahman. He is said to have been an official in Government office before he commenced the practice of the gentle religious austerities which he now observes, especially in the matter of dress. A few years ago, he appeared as a religious disputant andf instructor at Kolapur. He commenced his public labours at Bombay in 1856. 'He challenged all the world, and missionaries especially,' says the Rev. Mr Bowen, 'to discuss with him in public the relative merits of Hinduism and Christianity.' But he showed no disposition to encounter them on equitable terms of debate. An invitation to do this, which was addressed to him, he, in fact, either neglected or declined. After his discourses at the sea-shore, - which he continued from the 15th January to the setting in of the monsoon of last year, - he usually allowed some of the missionaries of Bombay to reply to his remarks, and proceeded to hold with them very keen discussions. Mr Bowen, in particular, vigorously exposed his representations and reasonings, of which he has furnished a correct report in a little volume entitled 'Discussions by the Sea-side.' The Bawa, of late, has been very quiet in the community; and report has it that he is writing a book, which will be a better test of his powers than any verbal addresses which he has yet delivered. As he has been so kind as to sit before us for his picture, we leave the public to form its own opinion of his marked physiognomy. His shirt is that generally worn by Sanyashis. His pots, and staff, and unostentatious turban, complete his equipments. One of his disciples, a well-known Sonar in Bombay, is sitting on the ground before him; but he seems more occupied with his granth than with his guru.'

For other prints in 'The Indian Amateur's Photographic Album', see Photo 140.

[Albumen print, 190x219mm].

Subjects = ascetics; Brahmins (caste); castes; ethnic groups; sanyasis