Gajendra Moksham, a photo from Tamil Nadu, South

Photographer's Note

Tracing its origins to the Natya Shastra, an ancient treatise on classical Indian dance, written by sage Bharatha, Bharatha Natyam is a highly traditional and stylised South Indian dance form.

It went into disrepute in the middle ages due to prevalent social conditions. The renaissance of the art form was possible mainly due to the efforts of luminaries such as E. Krishna Iyer, T. Balasaraswati, Kumbakonam K. Bhanumati and Rukmini Devi Arundale among others in the early decades of the last century. Currently the dance form enjoys world wide popularity and appreciation.

The scene depicted here is from the Hindu mythology "Gajendra Moksham" or The Elephant King's release from rebirth.

The story is that Gajendra, the elephant king is caught by a crocodile while drinking water from a pond. Unable to free himself, he surrenders himself to Vishnu, the preserver of the Universe and prays to him with a prayer learnt during a previous birth. Vishnu frees him by slaying the crocodile with his "Sudharshana" discus.

Of course, as with all Hindu mythological stories, there is an esoteric meaning which goes thus....

The human is Gajendra.
The world is the lake, where human plays with his kith and kin.
The crocodile symbolizes the Death and Difficulties that attack man.
Surrender to the Lord to be free from rebirth.

Long note. : - )

nirajsinha, thaprem, anitaj, Angshu, Luan, ramesh_lalwani, oochappan, eskay001 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nirajsinha (857) 2007-03-23 0:42

Hi Guru Bhai,
Nice series of classical Indian dance. The picture is just perfect in POV and framing. I like it a lot.

Keep in touch

Niraj Sinha

carolskie007 (487) 2007-03-23 2:54

Hi Guru,

This is a challenging low key scene that produced a descent clarity and tonality of the subject, lucky you :o)

TFS
Carol

thaprem (2566) 2007-03-23 5:57

Guru,
THe framing could have been a bit off centred...
Also sharpness & Contrast a bit lagging.
Tried to show in Workshop.
Prem.

[workshop] [compare]

jcdurka1 (1950) 2007-03-23 7:17

The light spot just on the face of the actor and click, great shot!!! Great colors, good contrast.
Regards,
Jean-Claude

bantonbuju (51815) 2007-03-27 9:18

hi guru,
this is a sort of the photography that insipres me a lot...the ral master of he thing is kev ryna, if you fancy to check his posrtfolio you will not be disappointed...
here i find the idea being very good, what i find disturbing though is the insafficient focus on the main model (interesting - your camera focused on the other player whose role is rather suplementary to the main person)...
anyway - an interesting and inspiring work,
best wishes, j.

Partha_c (2029) 2007-03-27 9:44

Hi Guru. Beautifulshot with a very nice and crisp educative note. TFS. Regards.
Partha

anitaj (120) 2007-03-27 16:34

Hi Guru, excellent moment captured. No decorations make me focus on the gestures the artists, which are so delicate and sophisticated - they seem to tell a story by itself. I like lightning with sublime crossing between shadows and the light as well. Many thanks for the note which evokes further interests in the subject. Well done! Best regards, Anita

rajiv_077 (1412) 2007-03-28 2:35

Hello Guru

Excellent catpure.... Good composing with lovely colours & Lights, Good capture in low lights conditions. Note is very informative.

cheers

rajiv

Angshu (56760) 2007-03-31 0:02

Hello Guru
In the ambient light & the movement of the dancers this is not an easy take for sure. While the softness and contrast can be enhanced by some little PP (as done by Prem), I find it interesting that your focus was on the dancer on the right rather than the main performer (in this frame). But I really like this inspiring post Guru..& your note is excellent
Regards
Angshu

berek (50518) 2007-03-31 0:56

Hi Guru,
interesting traditional dancer. very good light management . have a nice weekend.
Burak
****

Luan (12971) 2007-04-05 2:16

Yes this one is a very good shot. The light is perfectly managed and the central framing is excellent !
Thank you fto have complete my note with useful informations.
Cheers
Luan

ramesh_lalwani (3213) 2007-04-06 13:36

It is rather difficult to capture dancing couple.Here light and artist have been favourable.Well captured
Ramesh

cam (9043) 2007-04-10 15:52

Hi Guru.
Surprisingly,no blured contour even with the slow speed,and the pose of the dancer is very interresting by itself.
we feel a story going on through their pose.
By the way,I am curious as to the reason for the use of the UV filter.Is-it neutral to protect your lens,or active like an infrared filter.
Thanks
Charles

quetzal (3665) 2007-04-11 14:59

Bonsoir Guru,
Je ne connais pas ce type de danse, mais voilà néanmoins une excellente photo présentant ces deux danseurs pleins d'expressions et concentrés sur leur art. Magnifique prise de vue. Excellent cadrage.
Amicalement
Jean-Louis

oochappan (4880) 2007-05-27 2:22

Often forgotten that there are indeed a lot of male dancers performing the Baratha too, so fine to spot them out and indeed this scene stands out in your gallery.

eskay001 (106) 2007-07-03 10:47

I know how difficult it is to take shots of dance performances in ambient light and therefore appreciate this photo very much.

As regards Charles' question regarding UV filter, it is highly desirable to use it for stage performances because the stage artists' apparels are known to give away ultra-violet radiation - degrading your pictures. Perhaps it has to do with the interaction stage lighting have with the apparels. Kaleideoscopes are the most notorious in this field.

Regards,

Sushant Singhal

vincent24 (9060) 2007-07-03 11:11

For sure an interesting challenge to play with the low light conditions and slow speed shutter,i like the attitude of the characters,and the light just falling on him,
good job,
vincent

Waylim (25436) 2008-09-21 22:48

Guru,
This is a very beautiful dance image. I like the emotion capture in their faces, the motion, seem so elegant and graceful. Reminded me of many Indian pop movies I saw when I was little with many dance and song. Very lovely and fun. This one has very rich tone and color and very good composition. I really enjoy it.
Way