Red
The images in this project are old. I have not done any photography since Covid began, but I have taken the time to figure out my priorities as a creative person.
Anyway, several years back, I went to a part of India called "Braj Bhoomi" to photograph their Holi celebrations. "Braj Bhoomi" is the land of Krishna - the avatar of Vishnu who played a prominent part in our epic, "The Mahabharata". I don't know what Braj means, but "Bhoomi" means "land".
I shot these images in a village called NandGaon. The villagers from a neighbouring ring village - Barsana - visit NandGaon. One of the highlights of their visit is the 'singing' match between the villages, each singing the praises of their village.
Then, the men go to the women who whack them with "lathis". The men defend themselves using leather shields. On the previous day, the men from NandGaon visit Barsana for their share of whacking. The women strike hard, and a lathi blow can crack your skull.
Then, the men go to the women who whack them with "lathis". The men defend themselves using leather shields. On the previous day, the men from NandGaon visit Barsana for their share of whacking. The women strike hard, and a lathi blow can crack your skull.
The extract the red colour from a flower called "tesu" and use this to colour each other.
That's why I call this project - Red
That's why I call this project - Red
NandGaon. The People and the Tourists.
NandGaon. The People and the Tourists.
A kid
The Red rains down
A cloud of red
Stoic
The Elders
The Singing Begins
The Faceoff
Jubilation
Yellow, in a sea of Red