The images in this gallery are of the River Foundation Orphan House in Varanasi, India.
These images form a visual diary of the lives of the boys who live within the walls of the foundation and call it home. These photographs attempt to document the boys schooling, spiritual education, social development and interaction with their adopted brothers and mentors.
The orphan house was established in July 2009 by local businessman Dr Anubhav Mishra, and is responsible for the care of...
more »The images in this gallery are of the River Foundation Orphan House in Varanasi, India.
These images form a visual diary of the lives of the boys who live within the walls of the foundation and call it home. These photographs attempt to document the boys schooling, spiritual education, social development and interaction with their adopted brothers and mentors.
The orphan house was established in July 2009 by local businessman Dr Anubhav Mishra, and is responsible for the care of 17 poor and disadvantaged boys, aged between 9 and 15 from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The foundation, through the boys education, attempts to revive Vedic Sanskrit, the earliest religious texts of the Hindu religion and the ancient language of the Vedas. At the core of these texts is an intense tradition of poetry and drama as well as scientific, technical, philosophical and religious texts.
Sanskrit is predominately used as a ceremonial language in Hindu religious rituals. Those who are able to perform these religious rites and speak the language that exists within them, are dying out.
The foundation mentors each boy in his examination of Sanskrit literature and language, through recitals of hymns and mantras laid down in the ancient Hindu texts of the Samaveda, Yarjurveda, Atharvaveda, Brahmanas and Upanisshads.
In addition to traditional and religious wisdom, the boys are exposed to studies in the English language, computing and yoga. Like most parents the aim of the Foundation's mentors is to provide the boys with love, guidance and an education, however their destiny and career choices are entirely their own.
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