Kamal

Kamal

Many of the beggars here are street kids, who are often glue sniffers as well. Kamal was different though. He approached me with 3 of his paintings which he was selling for 200 rupies a piece. He had a work ethic which I admired so I bought one. I commissioned another painting of something musical. He agreed to meet me at my hotel cafe in the morning at 11. At 11:30 i found him crouched down on a pile of dirt outside the hotel in the street. Turns out the hotel wouldn’t allow him inside even though I had told them I was expecting him. Much to the dismay of the staff I brought him into the garden and shared my breakfast with him which he devoured. He brought me a painting of a young woman playing the violin which I bought for 100 rupies. When I asked him to make some more he hesitantly admitted he had no more paper. In my ignorance I suggested he buy some more paper with all the money he just made which would have cost 40 rupies. I can never describe the look on his face, but he smiled weakly and agreed but I

realized immediately that the money was gone and that he was most likely supporting his family. So I took him shopping. He took me to a dusty office supply street stand in his neighborhood where their entire selection of art supplies consisted of plain drawing paper, water colors, pencils and colored pencils. So we bought one of each. He had so much pride in his eyes as he pushed toward the front of the line and ordered one of everything! Afterwards we made a business deal that he owed me two more paintings in exchange for the supplies. The boy has integrity. He showed up the next day with a

painting of the buddha. He plans on finding me at Mahesh’s shop upon my return. During our breakfast I asked him about his family and he told me about his siblings. One had been sent away to France to study when he was five. They have never heard from him since. That was three years ago. Sadly he was most likely sold into a brothel. Kamal thinks he is probably so busy studying that he just hasn’t had time to contact them.