Photo Essays — Cécile Borkhataria - Multimedia Storyteller

Nihal Kajjam: Computer Science Student by day and Hare Krishna Devotee by Night

Nihal Kajjam is a 20-year old NYU computer science student from Hyderbad, India. He has recently become a committed devotee of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON). Although he has been interested the ‘Hare Krishna movement’ since the age of 4, he was not fully committed to the practices of the faith until last year, following a series of “self realization events'“ and “chance encounters”. Now, he lives with 15 other devotees in a large house in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Hare Krishna devotees sit together and chant in Union Square

Nihal clasps the Bhagavad Gita, which he tries to distribute to passers-by in exchange for a small donation

Nihal joins his fellow devotees to chant

Nihal explains the core principles of the Hare Krishna movement to an interested passer-by

Nihal and a passer-by laugh together as Nihal tries to convince her to accept his book

Nihal speaks to a man dressed as spider man while chanting in Times square

Nihal explains what the Bhagavad Gita is to an information booth staffer in Times Square

Nihal (centre) dancing and chanting with fellow devotees in Times Square

Nihal laughs with a man after he asks him if Nihal will pose in a picture with his wife

Nihal kneels down to pray during Sunday morning prayers at his communal home in Brooklyn

Nihal carries a divo flame, symbolizing the infinite light of God

Nihal claps and sings alongside a fellow friend and devotee

Nihal arrives in Union Square after his first day of classes as a college junior. He wears “semi-prayer” clothes to college

Nihal explains the core teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to a German couple sitting by a fountain

Nihal talks to woman eating ice-ream while a fellow devotee (wearing a blue sari) invites passers-by to dance with her.

Nihal picks up further copies of books to distribute

Everyday Happenings at Columbus Circle

These photos were taken in and around Columbus Circle, Manhattan. The shots were taking for a photography class taught by Preston Merchant, with the purpose of honing DSLR photography skills.

Reflection

Wide shot

Close-up

Wide shot

Layers

Frozen motion

Shallow depth of field