http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/19007 Images by Masud Alam Liton "REQUIEM FOR FREEDOM" For a human being, freedom is always a relative term. We all have the freedom to think as we please, but can we always express what we think? We are free to fly through air using planes and dive in the oceans using underwater equipment but we can never take off on our wings like birds or breath underwater like the fish. For the sex workers of Dauladia Ghat, Rajbari, Bangladesh, freedom is a dichotomy. Their profession has freed the sex workers from the ordeals of poverty by demanding they give up freedom over their bodies. They are condemned to be free from average norms and restrictions because sex workers are not free to live in conventional society. This dichotomy pervades every corner of the lives of the sex workers: They feel independent because they are earning money. But they have to turn the money over to the madam or the ‘husband’. They feel happy because they have made new relationships, new sisters, and new families. But they are stuck inside their adopted community. Within the boundary of their community, they are free to dress and behave as they please. But if they should step outside, they have to cover their hair. They are free to love and marry whom they want. But they feel betrayed by the husbands who marry them for their earnings. They are free to strive to reach the top rank of their profession, a madam ruling over her own house. But their self-determination can take them only so far: they are always subject to the licensing powers and the corrupt practices of the police. They are a devout community, free to perform their religious rituals. But they are denied the right to be buried in a proper graveyard. In short, their lives encompass the heights of paradise and the depths of hell. Yet they have one freedom remaining to them that asks no price: they are free to dream. They dream they are birds that go wherever their imagination takes them. They dream they are living the lives of their fantasies. Their dreams are requiems for true freedom. http://www.lightstalkers.org en-us http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/47898/n875250610_9353_small.jpg http://www.lightstalkers.org/Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799571/1Liton_small.JPG' /><br />Welcome to Heaven. A grils greetings to a new client at Brothel.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799571'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799571 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:35:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799571 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799571/1Liton_small.JPG' /><br />Welcome to Heaven. A grils greetings to a new client at Brothel.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799571'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799574/2_small.jpg' /><br /> There are many girls living in brothels as sex workers, some of them under eighteen and totally forbidden to show their identity outside of the brothel. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799574'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799574 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:27:56 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799574 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799574/2_small.jpg' /><br /> There are many girls living in brothels as sex workers, some of them under eighteen and totally forbidden to show their identity outside of the brothel. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799574'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799577/3Liton_small.JPG' /><br />sex working at lunch while A client waiting for her service.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799577'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799577 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:46:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799577 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799577/3Liton_small.JPG' /><br />sex working at lunch while A client waiting for her service.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799577'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799580/4Liton_small.JPG' /><br />A large numbers of sex workers have children of their own or ‘adopt’ other children, by way of confirming a relationship with a regular client.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799580'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799580 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:36:32 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799580 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799580/4Liton_small.JPG' /><br />A large numbers of sex workers have children of their own or ‘adopt’ other children, by way of confirming a relationship with a regular client.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799580'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799583/5Liton_small.JPG' /><br />People are always being curious outside at the brothel when a visitor come from city or abroad.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799583'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799583 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:25:15 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799583 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799583/5Liton_small.JPG' /><br />People are always being curious outside at the brothel when a visitor come from city or abroad.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799583'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799586/6Liton_small.JPG' /><br />Middle of the night some client waiting to get inside the brothel.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799586'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799586 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:35:21 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799586 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799586/6Liton_small.JPG' /><br />Middle of the night some client waiting to get inside the brothel.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799586'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799589/7Sex_worker_small.JPG' /><br />Dealing with client at Brothel. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799589'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799589 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:28:14 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799589 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799589/7Sex_worker_small.JPG' /><br />Dealing with client at Brothel. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799589'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799595/8Liton_small.JPG' /><br />Lives encompass the heights of paradise and the depths of hell. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799595'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799595 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:32:46 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799595 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/799595/8Liton_small.JPG' /><br />Lives encompass the heights of paradise and the depths of hell. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/799595'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019602/010_small.jpg' /><br />Marriage in the brothel does not necessarily imply setting up house with a man; rather, it is often a way of confirming a relationship with a regular client. Doulodia, Rzabari, Bangladesh.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019602'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019602 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:09:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019602 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019602/010_small.jpg' /><br />Marriage in the brothel does not necessarily imply setting up house with a man; rather, it is often a way of confirming a relationship with a regular client. Doulodia, Rzabari, Bangladesh.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019602'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019605/011_small.jpg' /><br />This creature can afford more rest in the brothel than its working inhabitants.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019605'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019605 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:33:09 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019605 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019605/011_small.jpg' /><br />This creature can afford more rest in the brothel than its working inhabitants.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019605'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019614/012_small.jpg' /><br /> Freedom of Dancing Queen. Doulodia, Rajbari, Bangladesh<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019614'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019614 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:33:18 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019614 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019614/012_small.jpg' /><br /> Freedom of Dancing Queen. Doulodia, Rajbari, Bangladesh<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019614'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019620/014_small.jpg' /><br /> Sex worker hit by her lover (Regular client) When she denied to pay him twenty thousand taka. Doulodia, Rajbari, Bangladesh.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019620'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019620 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:35:16 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019620 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019620/014_small.jpg' /><br /> Sex worker hit by her lover (Regular client) When she denied to pay him twenty thousand taka. Doulodia, Rajbari, Bangladesh.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019620'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019626/016_small.jpg' /><br />Religious occasions from different religions are celebrated with equal enthusiasm. such celebrations normally take place with in the confines of the brothel, since its inhabitatns are not welcome in public places of worship. Here a feast is being cooked, Which will later be distributed at a saint's mausoleum. Doulodia, Rajbari, Bangladesh.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019626'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019626 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:37:03 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019626 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019626/016_small.jpg' /><br />Religious occasions from different religions are celebrated with equal enthusiasm. such celebrations normally take place with in the confines of the brothel, since its inhabitatns are not welcome in public places of worship. Here a feast is being cooked, Which will later be distributed at a saint's mausoleum. Doulodia, Rajbari, Bangladesh.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019626'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019635/019_small.jpg' /><br />They are stuck inside their adopted community. Within the boundary of their community, they are free to dress and behave as they please. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019635'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019635 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:42:12 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019635 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019635/019_small.jpg' /><br />They are stuck inside their adopted community. Within the boundary of their community, they are free to dress and behave as they please. <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019635'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019638/020_small.jpg' /><br />They Are free to dream. They dream they are birds that go wherever their magination takes them. They dream they are living the lives of their fantasies. Their dreams are requiems for true freedom.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019638'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019638 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:44:58 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019638 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1019638/020_small.jpg' /><br />They Are free to dream. They dream they are birds that go wherever their magination takes them. They dream they are living the lives of their fantasies. Their dreams are requiems for true freedom.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1019638'>view full-size image</a> Liton Masud Alam