You might think that this shot of a group of Hare Krishna singers was taken in Europe or India in the Sixties or Seventies, because there is no point of reference that suggests it is anchored in any particular era or in any specific country.

But it was shot in Melbourne, a year ago, in early October 2008. The group were standing in front of Melbourne Town Hall, a magnificent bluestone building. It was late evening and the light wasn’t great, but I just had to start shooting anyway.

I reckon it’s been at least two decades since I’ve heard the ancient Hindu chant that is so rhythmic and so distinctive, even when it is being enunciated quietly, to no other accompaniment than the sound of finger cymbals.

The chant itself is believed to lead to a higher state of consciousness and it suddenly found new relevance in the Western world three decades ago. This was when the Hippie movement spread and when those who embraced flower power began to travel to India. One thing to note is that the Hare Krishna chant is a soft chant, full of reverence. The words to the chant are very simple:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Not surprisingly, the chant can also be heard on the late George Harrison’s hit My Sweet Lord, which was from his hit album All Things Must Pass.

For more images from this series, just go to my blog

I do not crop, enhance or post-edit my images in any way. Shot with a Pentax K100D, using a Sigma 18-125mm lens. F8, 1/45 sec, ISO 800, focal length 78mm.

Featured in 60s GLORY, December 2009.

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