Basanta Utsab, a photo from West Bengal, East

Photographer's Note

Holi is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is also known as Doḷajāta,in Orissa and Dol Jatra (Bengali: দোলযাত্রা) or Basantotsav ("spring festival") (Bengali: বসন্তোৎসব) in West Bengal. The most celebrated Holi is in the Braj region, in locations connected to the Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi.Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March).
On the Dol Purnima day in the early morning, the students dress up in saffron-coloured or pure white clothes and wear garlands of fragrant flowers. They sing and dance to the accompaniment of musical instruments like ektara, dubri, veena, etc. Holi is known by the name of 'Dol Jatra', 'Dol Purnima' or the 'Swing Festival'. The festival is celebrated in a dignified manner by placing the icons of Krishna and Radha on a picturesquely decorated palanquin which is then taken round the main streets of the city or the village. The devotees take turns to swing them while women dance around the swing and sing devotional songs. During these activities, the men keep spraying coloured water and coloured powder, abir, at them.
The head of the family, observes fast and prays to Lord Krishna and Agnidev. After all the traditional rituals are over, he smears Krishna's icon with gulal and offers "bhog" to both Krishna and Agnidev.
In Shantiniketan, Holi has a special musical flavor.
Traditional dishes include malpoa, kheer sandesh, basanti sandesh (saffron), saffron milk, payash, and related foods.

Yiannis84, chrisostomou, nobuikehonda, brianmcc, vasilpro, pajaran, macjake, Cricri, Wanda1, PecoBud, adramad, clic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Yiannis84 (2824) 2012-03-08 10:49

hi Madhumita..

Very impressive capture! i really like this artistic way to see the world..original abd very creative shot..very well done.

Best regards..Yiannis

chrisostomou (568) 2012-03-08 10:55

hola!

your picture as a thumbnail seems for sure like a painting! magnificent synthesis..very inspired and creative..the idea was executed in an original way..by keeping strong sharp colorful details and leaving the rest blur..very good work!

my greetings and copliments!

dta (98848) 2012-03-08 11:11

Hello Madhumita ,
A special and original picture . It seems so simple , but the artistical effect is great .
Well done .

lousat (139298) 2012-03-08 11:16

A very original capture from this festival,i like the idea and the very impressives details and colors in a difficult light,it's nice to see something to different on TE,Have a good night and thanks,Luciano

nobuikehonda (3848) 2012-03-08 11:26

Hello Madhumita !

How are you? It痴 very nice to hear from you!! This is a very artistic entry. I love the 釘okeh� (Out of focus area). It is so thin that the main subject receives the most fascinating attention. This is indeed an image that we don稚 get to see very often on TE. I love the purity of the image provided for us. The colour pigments in focus are so lovely, and the idea is very original. The idea to let the observer imagine the greater context, your eyes do find a unique approach. In this case I am positively compelled to see the colourful idea shining in the frame.

With my very best and kind regards,
Have very productive hours, Madhumita
Thank you!
Nobu.

m00n (2259) 2012-03-08 11:51

Hi madhumita,

has something abstract ...
..............disturbing ...
..............mysterious ...
..............infinite ...

pozdrawiam, m00n

brianmcc (6223) 2012-03-08 12:06

hi madhumita,
you have composed this picture superbly well. the shallow depth of field is very well executed and really helps emphasis the beautifully coloured area. the colours and texture are wonderful, like an abstract oil painting.
regards,
brian

vasilpro (41801) 2012-03-08 12:08

Hello Madhumita,
Wonderful minimalistic composition, beautiful graphic mood, interesting celebration, lovely light and contrast, vivid colors, excellent POV, very nice framework, TfS!
Greetings, Vasilis.

pajaran (115941) 2012-03-08 13:26

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan o dobar tekst ...
Dobra ideja i realizacija lepom fotografijom.
Lepa igra boja, dobra kompozicija i prikaz.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Google.

Greetings.
Very interesting and good article ...
Good idea and realization of beautiful photography.
Beautiful play of colors, good composition and display.
All the best.
Paja.

arijit_ghosh86 (795) 2012-03-08 15:10

Hi Madhumita...
Nice work done..really a very good idea to present the flavor of Holi..

Keep clicking...Happy Holi.

mrichat (1755) 2012-03-08 20:50

love the way to express holi.nice concept.well balanced macro.good work.
regards//
mrityunjoy

diomed (13926) 2012-03-09 7:03

Hi Madhumita,
original and creative capture with something of abstract. Well harmonized colors,great details, lovely graphic effect. TFs
NIce WE
Antonio

LOOOK13 (19046) 2012-03-09 11:33

Bonsoir.
A very original idea, whith a spectacular result.
Wonderful colors.
Good job.
Best regards.

macjake (98456) 2012-03-09 17:17

Hi Madhumita

Yes, i am familiar with this religious festival...it is one of my dreams to one day capture this in person on camera :)
I hope to see more photos of Holi from you :)
this one is very unique, never seen such a close up and abstract photo from Holi like yours.
well done
Cheers
Craig

Cricri (176) 2012-03-09 21:38

Hi madhumita
C'est une composition original, voir artistique, ce m駘ange et le rendu des couleurs est tout simplement magnifique
Belle journ馥
cricri

Angshu (56760) 2012-03-10 21:35

Hello Madhumita
Good to see you after a long time!
Very different representation of Holi...not easy to have conceptualized, which you've really done well. The bokeh in the FG & in the BG of the central colours works well, which I think you did with the long end of the zoom. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

Wanda1 (15142) 2012-03-18 23:02

Hi Madhumita,
A different take on depicting the Holi celebrations from what we usually see. Simplistic and creative in conveying it's message.
Regards
Wanda

PecoBud (3824) 2012-06-03 11:34

I just love your Artistic POV here Madhumita, great job. I have one of my favorite poems about Holi and not sure who wrote it, I hope you like it as much as I do:

Happy Holi
The trees smile with their sprout
of tender leaves and blooming flowers,
Eternal nature with its transient expression.
Hails spring with ecstasy and joy!
Bewildering shades with so many tinge.
The land of beauty and greatness,
India, witnessing color of happiness and peace.
Nation come alive to enjoy the spirit
A celebration of color- Holi!
An experience of content, harmony and delight.

Holika burns amidst merriment and mirth.
Evil overpowered by love and devotion.
A festival to commemorate 'Ras Lila'-
an enduring love saga of Radha and Krishna.

Gulal - red, green, yellow and countless.
A day's canvas - a riot of colors.
Lively crowd running hither and thither,
Rainbow of colors, dashing from every nook and corner.
Disregarding their woe and despair fervent folks,
rejoicing at the marvel of colors.
A day filled with luster and gaiety,
A day to smear our dreams-
With a splash of vibrant frenzy colors.
Holi Hai! A spring of unbounded fun and frolic!!

adramad (73004) 2012-06-07 13:27

Hi Madhumita.
Fabulous image, is a very artistic composition and reminds me of some modern art paintings.
Good idea and a perfect realization.
Best regards.
Louis.

buscape (6219) 2012-06-18 11:52

Hello Madhumita,
great and inventive picture with a well chosen low POV and beautiful colours. I also like the fine DOF and most of all your creativity. Congratulations!
Best wishes,
Helmut

clic (76) 2012-07-16 7:47

Hello Madhumita.
This is an ingteresting agir display and note about your religious festival; it opens my mind to exotic ways of life and I wish I can visit your country soon.
Cheers.
Robert