The Game of Vermillion - 1 Photo

Photographer’s Note

The four day long durga puja has come to an end. Several emotional and ritualistic customs take place on Bijoya Dashami (the last day of the Pujas) before the idol of goddess Durga is taken for immersion. One such colorful and emotional custom is “Sindoor Khela” - “The Game of Vermillion”. This custom is practiced exclusively by the married women. Before the idol of Durga leaves for immersion they put sweet on the lips of the clay idol and wipe the corner of the eyes as someone wipes off the tears before bidding goodbye for a long time. Vermilion which is a symbol of marital bliss is applied on the forehead of the Goddess and among each other. The vermilion powder is applied at the parting of women’s hair which symbolizes the strengthening the marital bond. The vermillion is also applied on the red and white traditional bangles and on the ‘loha’ which is an iron bangle interlaced with gold or silver, presented to the bride by her mother in law as an acknowledgement of marriage. All these rituals are performed along with the friends and family, though every one can not take part in it but it is a wonderful experience to witness this living theatre of color, life and emotion. This photograph was taken at a famous puja gathering which is very traditional in every respect.

Camera: Canon Powershot A550

shabsslg, sagar, sabyasachi_d, Henryk_Bilor, brevbrev14, isabela_sor, c_anindya, pablominto, ninaL, Cretense, noborders, ALIRIZA, Partha_c, sabyasachi1212, crckt, pranab has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

shabsslg (152) 2007-10-23 4:59

Nice Description Of The Mood Captured!

sagar (2307) 2007-10-23 8:28

Hi Sayan,
Darun hoyechhe chhobita. People who are emotionally attached to the Durga Puja will be able to appreciate this one more than anyone else, as we know exactly what these rituals are all about. Lovely colors of the vermellion. You have captured a very happy mood here.
Well done,
Sagarneel.

photographer123 (5803) 2007-10-23 8:54

hi sayan..
wonderful colors..
captured the mod very well..
well done...subir
***happy bijoya....***

anupam06 (336) 2007-10-23 18:36 [Comment]

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sabyasachi_d (413) 2007-10-23 22:11

GREAT!!
the color. the ladies ;) and the mood.
TFS
i am feeling so homesick now!!
i wish u could share these ladies playing with vermillion, masking each other with that red powder. am missing that activity a bit here.
but anyways this one is just as good.
cheers!!
sabya

partha (13667) 2007-10-23 22:53

U have captured the expression perfectly. Wonderful representation of the Bengali culture.
Suvo Bijoya.
Partha

somak_g (463) 2007-10-24 1:51

hi sayan,

this is beautiful photograph. the mood and expressions very well captured. thanks.

somak

Henryk_Bilor (20371) 2007-10-24 6:03

Hi Sayan
Good capture of this beautiful woman with painting on her face. Lovely smile and colours.
Regards

batalay (21193) 2007-10-24 8:51

Hello Sayan,

A genuinely engaging note accompanying this image. And indeed, it is a very good photo. I like the way you captured the two ladies, withouth "intruding into their space." Since they are not aware of the lens, they are not posing.

Regarding the image of the little "natural blond" that I submitted a few days ago, I like the workshop where here hair displays a more natural gold, but here skin has become a little greenish/yellowish. The untouched version reveals the true pink. She is the same little girl that I posted last year in a 2004 photograph, Eyes.

Warm regards,

Bulent

dario10 (2753) 2007-10-24 10:28

Hi Sayan,
very nice colors and well captured,great photo
good job
dario

deadman (110) 2007-10-24 23:46

Hi Sayan
useful notes and nice shot
Very good cadre and composition and true expose.
you have very nice photos.I saw all of them and enjoyed.
Thanks for your comment and analysis.
Regards,AMIN

pinakie_slg (835) 2007-10-25 0:04

etodin dhore vabchi eber TE te sindur khelar chobi nei keno? ki korey je miss kore gelam k jane?
jak obosese to pelam, darun hoyeche.

vincz (19045) 2007-10-25 0:33

Very good double portrait focused on the first lady. i love the very vivid colours and their smiles. A great one!

Angshu (34099) 2007-10-25 2:33

Dear Sayan
very nice, very candid, very Bengali. Lovely colours especially the skin tones. Very good timing to capture the smiles. A crop at the bottom by about an inch (there's something OE there...). Great shot of a beautiful mood
Best Wishes
Angshumanda

utkue (3420) 2007-10-27 8:35

Hello Sayan,
Very good composition and perfect capture.
Impressive aliveness, super cadrage, colours and lightness are very excellent in this photograph.
Congratulations.
Best regards from Ankara and have a nice weekend.
Utku

isabela_sor (42471) 2007-10-28 4:09

Their happy mood was so well captured!I like the different layers of focus here
Must say thank you for your note too,very good one
Have a nice Sunday

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-10-28 10:54

Hi Sayan, very good smiles and joy expressions here!
your note is very informative too..
good use of the DOF..i like a lto the focus on the first woman..
good one!

ciao!
Valeria

pablominto (41354) 2007-10-30 1:32

Hello Sayan,
Interesting documentary with the charming women!
A well framed double portrait, capturing the mood very well...
Attractive presentation in this well balanced composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

ninaL (19590) 2007-10-31 1:43

Hi, Sayan.
Funny scene full of joy and full of colors.
I like expressions you caught here.
Best regards. Grazyna.

Cretense (57010) 2007-11-01 2:31

Hi Sayan (again)!

Beautiful double portrait of these lovely ladies! Great cheerful moment. Very impressive costumes and maquillage, from what appeares to be a very interesting ritual. Congratulations!

Hercules

Manash (498) 2007-11-01 3:13

Hi sayan,
nice capture..with details in note...
manash

goodwill (4033) 2007-11-03 22:06

I would say, the colours speak their own language. See the dominance of the red over all the colours. The contrast of red with the golden oranments pop up the shot. I am impressed by the colgate smile but your model needs more colgate for white teeth.
Good Job,
Rajeev

noborders (14201) 2007-11-04 2:48

I did not know this aspect of the Durga Puja, it is great of you to post these photos and the shy expression of the distiguished lady on the right is typical...
Great colours and great fun,
TFS for this friendly and beautiful post,
Catherine

ALIRIZA (16197) 2007-11-04 13:01

Hi Sayan,
Great POV, funny. Good colours and very well composed. Well done my dear friend...
Have a nice week...
Ali Rıza

evanrizo (456) 2007-11-05 5:26

Hi Sayan, I love their smiles! -:)
Excellent framed with the nice vivid colors, also very good focused.
Best wishes.
Evan

Partha_c (1985) 2007-11-06 1:09

Hi Sayan. Great shot of the great occasion with great mood. The expression on the faces smeared with sindoor(vermillion)speak a lot about their contentment. Am really happy to see the nice post, though a bit late. TFS & Regards.
Partha

oochappan (22032) 2007-11-07 3:18

A fine dubbel portrait to illustrate this event Sayan, the red vermillion is the eyepuller in the scene, well done.
Henk

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-11-11 5:23

Hi Sayan,
Perhaps I am a bit late on this but its a gem, no doubt about that. The best of the series, sharp with fantastic colours, great light, superb mood.
Best Wishes
Sabyasachi

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-11-11 9:06

Excellent capture, Sayan! Very nice color and expression on the two women is spot on.
A

crckt (7094) 2007-11-24 4:07

Hi Sayan,
This is an outstanding shot. The colors are awesome. The expressions has been captured beautifully, nice timing.
Well done,
Shaeri

pranab (5354) 2008-01-05 5:37

hello sayan,
how are you? too bad i could not see you while i was in kolkata. met salil-da for few hours.
excellent colorful shot with mood of the moment well depicted. nice composition.

ayansadhu (1499) 2008-01-27 10:53

Candid shot
Good DoF
Nice composition
Warm light over her hair
Good overall result :)

marietom (32076) 2008-03-02 1:02

Hello Sayan,

Très beau portrait, avec de très belles expressions.
Marie