Praying to Sun..., a photo from West Bengal, East

Photographer's Note

I Took this shot in Babu Ghat in Kolkata during Chhath Puja Festival...

Chhath (Hindi: छठ, also called Dala Chhath) is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, also known as Surya Shashti.The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath fesival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.

The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and aragh to the setting and rising sun.

Although it is observed most elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand and the Terai regions of Nepal in modern times, and is more prevalent in areas where migrants from those areas have a presence, it is celebrated in all regions and major urban centers in India.

fernando89, francio64, SnapRJW, bukitgolfb301, siudzi, sacimar, emilbo, adramad, Cricri, Vasa, Sonata11, ChrisJ, ebingul has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (68620) 2011-11-04 13:05

Hello Prasun,
Very ncie capture with nice bright colors and perfect pov.
Many interesting notes.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

elkab (4921) 2011-11-04 13:11

Hi Prasun!

Very moody scenery. Realy atmospheric shot full of silence and the mystic pray. Super sharpness from FG to BG. Super sharpness and texture of details. fantastic natural colors

Warm regards
eb

fernando89 (22) 2011-11-04 13:25

Great picture! Bring me a bit of indian mystery... great picture for a great country.
I´d prefer it with more vivid colors, maybe you could deal with saturation.

[workshop] [compare]

smarcell (19875) 2011-11-04 13:38

Interesting. A nice scene, well taken.
A documentaristic image
Regards
Stefano

korbee (6305) 2011-11-04 13:43

i like this photo Prasun,because the people are so devoted and deticated,the expression of their faces
tels it all,India at its best!

jan

francio64 (38188) 2011-11-04 15:25

Hi Prasun,
momento solenne ben ripreso, dove si vede tutta l'essenza della preghiera.
Ben gestita la luce e ottimo lo sharp.

Well done!
Francesco

janusz2054 (306) 2011-11-04 23:19

Hi Prasun,

Really nice moment for shooting.
Lovely combination, excellent picture, sharpness and clarity are superb.
Very well composition and good presentation.
Best regards
Janusz

SnapRJW (19188) 2011-11-05 0:15

Hello Prasun - I am fascinated by the way religion and its attendant ceremonies impact so strongly on the lives of those living in Asian cultures. This shot captures the devotion of this group so well. This is no flippant observance, I can see from the faces that the prayers come from a strong belief and a true faith. In an age filled with the economic downturn and the western ideals of 'getting ahead' to see such a simple faith is refreshing. A special moment beautifully captured. Kind regards Rosemary

madhumita_roy86 (2224) 2011-11-05 0:35

Hi Prasun,
good shot again... nice moment & very nice expressions on their faces...Lovely composition & superb sharpness & colours.... keep posting... khub bhalo chobi...
Regards,
Madhumita.

dkmurphys (37419) 2011-11-05 0:39

Hi Prasun,
Very fine festive moment. I like the atmosphere and the amazing sum of colors. Well catch, enjoy the weekend.

wolf38 (28300) 2011-11-05 1:04

Hello Prasun. Praying believers. A beautiful and worth seeing photo. The serious and focused faces are impressive. Well done. Rgds, Wolfgang.

bukitgolfb301 (30401) 2011-11-05 2:04

Hi NAMSTE my dear Prasun

Sorry for my late reply as so crazy-busy at concreat buildings of jungle weekday. But I still enjoy your garalley very much. This your posting is so wonderful also solemn atmosphere image shot.
I miss India very much as I see this your great shot. Sharp and great comfortbale color via wide focus appraoch is marvelous indeed. Reasonable framework and nice composition are very fine. Thanks for sharing with your finest work and have a good Saturday night, Best regrads.

Takero from a little cold Tokyo

siudzi (24689) 2011-11-05 3:06

Hello Prasun,

wow! what a wonderful scene! It's so unique and original! Love the way you have built up that composition with those praying people, all details in the fg, amazing colors and light. A masterpiece shot! Well done. TFS.

Have a great weekend!

Malgorzata

sacimar (25957) 2011-11-05 6:32

Hello Prasun,

good image and interesting composition, it´s a good way to show this festival, I like the faces of the people, well seen,

Best regards,

Sergio

Nicou (98775) 2011-11-06 0:55

Hello

superbe compo et scèn emangigique avec les beaux fruits en premier plan et ce personnages qui prient quelle compo touchante intime superbe captage bravo.

Merci et amitié

Nicou

Nard (6915) 2011-11-06 10:46

Hi Prasun
A beautiful scene where we can see the people really focused in prayer and meditation, we can feel the mystical atmosphere. I like also the foreground with all the item dedicated to the prayer.
Regards
Bernard

emilbo (20928) 2011-11-06 13:56

Allô Prasun!
Très intéressante photo de ces gens dans leur rituel pour remercier le Dieu du soleil. Merci de nous faire voir les coutumes d'ailleurs. Merci aussi de ta visite qui m'a permis de visiter ta magnifique galerie. Excellente présentation dans de merveilleuses couleurs.
Toutes mes félicitations et bonne semaine,
Emilius

stevesaba (8019) 2011-11-07 4:09

Hi Prasun!
A lovely and colorful photo of this festival! Beautifully framed. I loved Kolkata, so interesting! Lovely light on their faces too. Fine work, warm regards,
Steve

Fis2 (73646) 2011-11-07 12:43

Witaj Prasun!
A very interesting scene.
Good frame and colours.
I like this daily life shot.
Regards
Krzysztof

adramad (27872) 2011-11-07 14:55

Hello Prasun.
A stunning image, the image of these people at the festival, the image conveys the gathering with these people perform their prayers in the offerings.
Wonderful POV with all these fruits in the foreground, giving a beautiful colors complement the women's costumes.
Very good sharpness and light management. I like it.
Have a good week.
Best regards.
Luis.

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2011-11-07 15:04

Hello Prasun,

A beautiful image of these people praying Sun God. I like their concentration and dedication. I like the colors and sharpness.

Lakshmi

Cricri (87288) 2011-11-11 4:18

Hi Prasun
Une belle image et scéne de ces personnes en pleine concentration, joli avant plan plein de détails et de couleurs pour ce moment de prière
Belle journée
cricri

Vasa (16008) 2011-11-21 16:35

The photo I like to see on TE - emotional transmission of the life of far away countries. Your transmission, Prasun, is the best. And you are living in dear country. So glad to see you,

Branko

pazufferey (4854) 2011-11-22 11:39

Hello Prasun,
The scene is interesting, l' quite made up image with this foreground with the multiple coloured fruit and l' postponed the person who collects herself. Pretty work, Cheer.
A beautiful gallery.
Congratulation.
Patrick

bebbetto (12) 2011-11-29 12:01

Hi Prasun
Very impressive photo. Splendid document.
Magnificent palette of colors

jmdias (46240) 2011-12-19 0:59

prasun

very nice portrait of this moment of faith, something that is becoming rare in western world. excellent quality of image, personages well positioned and lots of details to see. perfect job and note. TFS.

hugs

jorge

Sonata11 (28758) 2012-03-07 20:33

Hello Prasun,
wonderful composition of Puja Festival of praying time with fantastic flawlessly execution. Perfectly well done. I like this beautiful moment. Awesome !!!
All the best,
Barbara

ChrisJ (87654) 2012-03-11 21:32

Hi Prasun

I think the saturation is about right on the people. Any more & they would definitely look unnaturally oversaturated. But the fg fruit is a possibility for adding saturation. A superb daily life scene that reminds me of the Christian practice of saying 'Grace' at a Christmas meal or feast. Tfs!

ebingul (1764) 2012-03-15 14:25

Hello Prasun,
This is a beautiful capture of these praying people with nice colours and lots of details.Fine light and framing as well.
Congrats and best regards.
Emin