This gentle lady worked at the ashram which I would often visit in Varanasi. I would see her quietly getting on with her work – working hard cleaning up after the sadhus all day – without asking for any special attention. In fact, although she was more than happy for me to photograph her family she only let me take a couple of pictures of her. This was incredibly frustrating because I thought she looked so beautiful that I would have loved to have photographed her all the time. But my only consolation was that I did get some lovely, natural photos that I think demonstrate her grace and quiet dignity. In fact the one featured is one of my favourite portraits from India. I think I like it so much because she is wearing a simple cotton sari, which seemed to be uncommon in the city famous for its silk sarees. And yet the simplicity of it seems the perfect frame for her natural beauty.
An Enchanted Eye 
Beautiful portrait! The photo and your description of this lovely lady, makes me want to meet her and quietly work beside her in the ashram. I feel like I could learn a lot from just being with her. Does that sound crazy? It’s the way your photo made me feel. Lovely! :)
No that doesn’t sound crazy. I was very fond of her stoic way of just getting on with things without a fuss. Though I have to add that she had her moments and gave me short shrift whenever I tried to help her make chapatis. Unless they were perfectly round (which I admit was a rare occurrence) she would snatch my attempt from me, roll the dough back into a ball and plonk it back in front of me and motion for me to try again. As Shakespeare would say: “Though she be but little, she is fierce!”
Ha ha she sounds like a wonderful strict but wise grandmother and that just makes me want to meet her and spend time with her even more! :D
I think she would be very happy to hear that :-)