"On the Streets" is the name of my first photo-story published on Photojournale. Its a collection of street photographs from my city: Kolkata. I call it "photo-rambling" on the streets of my city. I invite you all my friends to see the photographs there. Now only thirteen photographs are uploaded on the site but I shall add more later. So keep watching the place.
Please let me know how do you enjoy them through your comments there.
Thanks for viewing!!
Full story...
Showing posts with label Candid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candid. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Muharram in Kolkata
Its long since I haven't been around. Mostly due to some network failure at the beginning, but then I got busy with shooting the events that were coming up. After the autumn festival the two months of winter season, that is December and January, are most eventful. I wish to share my photographs on Muharram here. Others are following by soon.
Muharram is the first month of Islamic lunar calendar, Hijrah. It is one of the four months that have been designated as Holy according to the Islamic belief, the other three being - Dhul-Qa'adah (Zulqa'dah), Dhul-Hijjah (Zulhijjah) and Rajab. However the first ten days of the month are considered as most sacred. Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram, but the fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is particularly important, as it is supposed to lead to great rewards.
Muharram is an important month to the people of Islamic faith. Many auspicious events of Quranic history are believed to have taken place during this month, specially during the tenth day. Some of the events are: The Prophet Adam was born and his repentance was accepted on this day, the Prophet Abraham was saved from the Fire, the Prophet Ishmael was delivered from the Sacrifice, the Prophet Joseph was reunited with his father, 
the Prophet Job was cured of his illness and the Prophet Solomon was ordained as king; however no accurate historical evidences could be found for them.
Shiite Muslims observes the first ten days
of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family, the grandson of the holy Prophet. Hence Muharram is not a festival in the celebratory sense to the sect as it mourns the Karbala tragedy. Muslims build paper and bamboo replica of the martyr's tomb, called Tajiya or Tazia, and carry them into the street in a procession to mourn Imam Hussain's brutal assassination. Mourners walk barefoot, beat their chests and cry out the name of Imam Hussain.
Some plaintive verses are recited to signify that Hussain and his family had to suffer terrible thirst during their murder. The youths whip them with chains or hit them with knives to draw blood out of their body to symbolize the physical pangs that Imam Hussain had to suffer. Horses decorated as a battle horse with swords, etc. are also taken out in the procession in memory of Hussain's horse, Duldul.
Sunni Muslims also commemorate Imam Hussain's martyrdom but in a less demonstrative manner, concentrating instead on its spiritual aspect.
The word Muharram is derived from the word Haram, which actually means forbidden; it also means respect. Hence the month of Muharram encourages people to forbid themselves from all worldly pleasures and
to respect the great children of the Mother Earth by commemorating their sacrifices towards the establishment of Truth and Justice.
More photos in my Flickr.
Resources
=========
1. http://www.jannah.org/articles/muharram.html
2. http://www.indiawijzer.nl/tourism_travelling_to_india/fairs_and_festivals/march/muharram.htm
3. http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/imuharram.htm
4. http://www.indiaparenting.com/indianculture/festivals/fest009.shtml
5. http://muslims-r-us.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-really-happened-on-10th-muharram.html
Full story...
Muharram is the first month of Islamic lunar calendar, Hijrah. It is one of the four months that have been designated as Holy according to the Islamic belief, the other three being - Dhul-Qa'adah (Zulqa'dah), Dhul-Hijjah (Zulhijjah) and Rajab. However the first ten days of the month are considered as most sacred. Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram, but the fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is particularly important, as it is supposed to lead to great rewards.
Muharram is an important month to the people of Islamic faith. Many auspicious events of Quranic history are believed to have taken place during this month, specially during the tenth day. Some of the events are: The Prophet Adam was born and his repentance was accepted on this day, the Prophet Abraham was saved from the Fire, the Prophet Ishmael was delivered from the Sacrifice, the Prophet Joseph was reunited with his father, 
the Prophet Job was cured of his illness and the Prophet Solomon was ordained as king; however no accurate historical evidences could be found for them.Shiite Muslims observes the first ten days
of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family, the grandson of the holy Prophet. Hence Muharram is not a festival in the celebratory sense to the sect as it mourns the Karbala tragedy. Muslims build paper and bamboo replica of the martyr's tomb, called Tajiya or Tazia, and carry them into the street in a procession to mourn Imam Hussain's brutal assassination. Mourners walk barefoot, beat their chests and cry out the name of Imam Hussain.
Some plaintive verses are recited to signify that Hussain and his family had to suffer terrible thirst during their murder. The youths whip them with chains or hit them with knives to draw blood out of their body to symbolize the physical pangs that Imam Hussain had to suffer. Horses decorated as a battle horse with swords, etc. are also taken out in the procession in memory of Hussain's horse, Duldul.
Sunni Muslims also commemorate Imam Hussain's martyrdom but in a less demonstrative manner, concentrating instead on its spiritual aspect.The word Muharram is derived from the word Haram, which actually means forbidden; it also means respect. Hence the month of Muharram encourages people to forbid themselves from all worldly pleasures and
to respect the great children of the Mother Earth by commemorating their sacrifices towards the establishment of Truth and Justice.More photos in my Flickr.
Resources
=========
1. http://www.jannah.org/articles/muharram.html
2. http://www.indiawijzer.nl/tourism_travelling_to_india/fairs_and_festivals/march/muharram.htm
3. http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/imuharram.htm
4. http://www.indiaparenting.com/indianculture/festivals/fest009.shtml
5. http://muslims-r-us.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-really-happened-on-10th-muharram.html
Full story...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Balloon Vendor
Balloons have recently been turned into a means to express euphoria, mainly the elongat
ed rod-shaped ones. Hence in many a occassion, like the immersion of a deity or the celebration of victory by a favourite team, their use is abundant. You can wrap them round your forehead or hold two of them tightly against wind to make sound or just can swing them to show your enjoyment.
This shot was taken at an immersion ghat on the bank of the river Ganga. This balloon vendor was waiting at the doorway of the ghat for his clients, the gangs coming to the ghat for immersion of the goddess Kali.
Judge's ghat, Kolkata. Nov. 2007
Full story...
ed rod-shaped ones. Hence in many a occassion, like the immersion of a deity or the celebration of victory by a favourite team, their use is abundant. You can wrap them round your forehead or hold two of them tightly against wind to make sound or just can swing them to show your enjoyment.This shot was taken at an immersion ghat on the bank of the river Ganga. This balloon vendor was waiting at the doorway of the ghat for his clients, the gangs coming to the ghat for immersion of the goddess Kali.
Judge's ghat, Kolkata. Nov. 2007
Full story...
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The elderly priest of Durga puja
I met this aged person at Kumortuli ghat during Kolabou puja. He is the eldest pries
t of Durga puja, at least in Kolkata I think. What I made out from what he said in his soft voice amidst the beating of the drums is that he is around 92-93 years old. But still he is actively involved in Durga puja as a priest observing all the rituals with utmost earnestness. Actually he was supervising the ceremonial bathing of Kolabou while I took this photo. He told me his name, but I missed it in the noise of the beating drums and I didn't like to disturb him. He was once featured in a popular local newspaper here while going to Bangkok for the purpose of Durga puja in the year 2001.
I searched the archive of the newspaper in the net, but couldn't find anything. I am trying to know more about this person of great stamina. If someone visiting this blog happens to recognize him please leave me a comment.
More about ceremonial bathing of Kolabou or Navapatrika will be coming shortly.
Durga puja, Kolkata, 2007
Full story...
t of Durga puja, at least in Kolkata I think. What I made out from what he said in his soft voice amidst the beating of the drums is that he is around 92-93 years old. But still he is actively involved in Durga puja as a priest observing all the rituals with utmost earnestness. Actually he was supervising the ceremonial bathing of Kolabou while I took this photo. He told me his name, but I missed it in the noise of the beating drums and I didn't like to disturb him. He was once featured in a popular local newspaper here while going to Bangkok for the purpose of Durga puja in the year 2001.I searched the archive of the newspaper in the net, but couldn't find anything. I am trying to know more about this person of great stamina. If someone visiting this blog happens to recognize him please leave me a comment.
More about ceremonial bathing of Kolabou or Navapatrika will be coming shortly.
Durga puja, Kolkata, 2007
Full story...
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