Picture of the Day: The Loads We Carry

Posted on January 26, 2007
Filed Under >Adil Najam, Photo of the Day, Society
15 Comments
Total Views: 29327

Adil Najam

Found this picture on Metroblog Lahore. The title there was ‘Only in Lahore.’ I find the picture captivating. Love the expression on his face. Love the composition. Even the shirt is interesting.

Some of the early commenters on this at Metroblog Lahore seemed appalled that he would carry the ‘desi style’ squat toilet bowl on his head. I wondered why they were appalled? Maybe its out schisms of paki-napaki.

It seems clear from the picture that even though the ceramic contraption on his head may one day be used as a toilet bowl, but it is a new unit (despite the layer of dust on it). What it might be eventually be used for is irrelevant; right now it could be a piece of Ming China for all he cares. The point for him, I am sure, is that this is a heavy piece of ceramic and this is not a bad way to carry it across a distance.

Anyhow, the paragraphs above are a good example of over-analysis. My bad.

Sometimes a picture is just a picture. A man with a pot on his head is just a man with a pot on his head. And a cool shirt is just a cool shirt. So let us leave it at that.

Unless, of course, someone has an interesting and funny title to suggest for this.

P.S. By the way, Lahore wallas, can you identify where in Lahore this picture was taken (note the building behind him).

15 responses to “Picture of the Day: The Loads We Carry”

  1. OA says:

    Frank Zappa in Lahore?

  2. iceCube says:

    I think this is the original source of this photo …
    http://www.pbase.com/maciekda/pakistan_2006

    The fence in the middle of the road reminds me of Ferozpur rd. but I can’t place the building in the back…

  3. Anwar says:

    Just a hard working fellow trying to make the ends meet.
    If he was given an opportunity of education, he may be sitting on the potty instead of carrying it on his head.

  4. Samdani says:

    Given this picture maybe Mc-Load sounds better anyhow!

  5. The Pakistanian says:

    I wonder when he installs it and uses it for its real purpose the thought would cross his mind, “Hmmm my head was right in this spot not too long ago”!

    Not concerning the topic, speaking of McLeod Road, this one time I went to Pakistan and I pronounced it as Mc-Cloud Road (the correct pronounciation), whereas back home it is pronounced as Mc-Load road! and so I got accused of being a wannabie, but after that I stuck to the rule “When in Rome…”! :)

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