India [Hardcover]

Olivier Föllmi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

The world's most densely populated country, and the tiger's last remaining natural habitat, India is a land of contradictions. In this visually stunning book, photographer Olivier Föllmi captures this land where tradition and modernity coexist-the India of the cell phone and the sacred cow. Föllmi looks beyond the commotion and sensory overload of the Indian street to examine deeper truths about the people and their culture. His photographs convey serenity and stillness, expressing a philosophy and an approach to life radically different from the West's.

This award-winning photographer's work includes portraits of people of all classes-farmers and potters, dancers and musicians, parents and children-and probes as well human interactions with animals including cows, monkeys, and elephants. Never does he portray his subjects as exotic objects; rather, his realistic, moving images pay tribute to his subjects' essential dignity and profound humanity.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her introduction to this exquisite collection of photographs, novelist Jha (Smell) writes, "To be in India is to be assaulted by sensations, smells, colors, emotions, questions; to struggle to find answers; and to face your innermost desires and fears." Photographer Föllmi's beautiful images of India's people deftly convey this headiness while focusing on the micro: a young woman leading her herd of goats down a shady path; four wanderers in Pushkar sitting together on a decrepit wall; a man practicing yoga at dusk; two Brahman pilgrims wading into the waters of the Ganges. Föllmi, who first traveled to India in the 1970s and led tourists on Himalayan treks, submits 200 full-color photographs and illustrations that are overwhelmingly upbeat in their depiction of the vast country's inhabitants. Religion features prominently, as do cultural and social rituals. Captions at the back of the book explain the images, defining words like kalarippayat (a predecessor of all martial arts that also includes healing techniques) and explaining such traditions as facial ornamentation. Even potentially clichéd images—such as that of a man riding an elephant alongside a grouping of palm trees, seen in silhouette—are compelling, thanks to the photographs' brilliant hues and the illuminating accompanying text. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Olivier Föllmi first went to India in the 1970s. Working as a guide, leading tourists on Himalayan treks, and photographing India and its people for more than 25 years, he came to know the country intimately. He and his wife, Danielle Föllmi, a doctor who has established nutrition and health programs in Tibetan schools, have coauthored more than 15 books, including Abrams' Buddhist Himalayas. The Föllmis divide their life between the Alps and the Himalayas while sharing it with four children of Tibetan origin.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810959496
• ISBN-13: 978-0810959491
• Product Dimensions: 14.8 x 11.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars India by Radhika Jha, February 24, 2006

By 

Eileen L. Mcclure - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: India (Hardcover)

For those who collect "coffee table" books, as well as those who have a genuine facination of India, this book is a treasure. The majority of the photos are close ups of people, rather than just the usual landscapes or buildings. The book effective captures a wide range of expression of the many states of this vast country. I felt that it was a very personal book, and offered a delightful viewpoint of the color and beauty that is India. On a different esthetic, I would warn you that this is a large book, almost capable of being a coffee table itself! At 15 by 12 and weighing in excess of 10 lbs, it is not very wieldy for the arthritic or or infirm!

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DAZZLING JEWEL!, March 28, 2006

By 

Olga Loinfeisk "Olga" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: India (Hardcover)

THIS BOOK IS HELLA HUGE. IT'S SUPER! THE FIRST PORTION OF THE BOOK HAS WRITINGS WITH SOME NICE TRADITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS. THEN, THERE ARE WONDERUL, MONSTROUS PHOTOS OF PEOPLE IN COLORFUL DRESS, WORKERS AND STREET PEOPLE. THIS BOOK IS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WORTHY. IT'S A REALLY BIG BOOK TOO, AND VERY HEAVY. ANY ONE INTERESTED IN A BASIC CULTURAL OVERVIEW OF INDIA SHOULD GET THIS BOOK. THE PICTURES ALONE MAKE IT WELL WORTH IT.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos of India, January 11, 2007

By 

Odete Patricio (Porto, Portugal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: India (Hardcover)

The book shows wide and different perspectives of India. The quality of the photos is, in general, very good.

It's not a book for professional or artistic photographers, but for people that are interested in having an idea of what India looks like