2.02.2012

... the Band, the Final Procession and one more Set of Horns.



The procession approaches the gates of the hotel where the Groom will leave his carriage and be escorted by his family to the ballroom where the guests are waiting.





















There is one more group of trumpeters to harold him into the building...  this group of three horns is most picturesque.  I've never played a wind instrument but I'm guessing it must take a huge amount of wind to get a sound out of these.



1.28.2012

Priyanka-Varun Wedding

I have wanted to experience an Indian wedding since the first time I heard about them.  I got the chance to do that earlier this week - in the way that I love best - as a photographer.  

The Sagan Ceremony is a festival - our groom arrived in a beautiful and elaborately decorated carriage drawn by two white horses and escorted by his family.
Above is the carriage the groom will ride in 






...and these are the horses and one of the many Rajasthani musicians that lead the parade and generate the guests dancing with their energy and rhythms.  When you look at these still photos you will not hear the noise - I tell you, it is unrelenting and at least as loud as the colour.  




Everything was BIG and BOLD and in a grand way very very BEAUTIFUL and full of life (which I interpreted the dance of the groomsmen to be explicitly demonstrating).







The groom follows and witnesses the procession with two nephews.  From my reading I understand that the groom does not participate in the raucous frivolity around him but, the pull to dance is strong...


Notice in the bottom right corner of this image is a hand extending money.  I saw denominations of 10, 100 and 1,000 rupees being tossed into the air throughout the procession.  My research tells me this is for prosperity in the marriage but also in some instances it is thrown on the road to ward off evil.  

There was so much going on that I didn't understand; so many questions that I don't yet have answers to.  When Tanushree and I next get together I will be able to know so much more about what I experienced.

to be continued...


1.26.2012

Wedding preview...













I had the pleasure of photographing an Indian wedding this week.  I met Tanushree Khandelwal, a local photographer, and she added me to her crew of photographers for a portion of the ceremonies.   I'll post more images tomorrow.

Here is Tanu's website:  http://passion4obsession.com/home/home.php

1.23.2012

Energy Sources

I stood on a hillside in Mangar and photographed many woman transporting bundles of firewood.  The beauty of their colourful saris distracting me from some of the surrounding detail - in fact I was working on framing images to keep distracting elements from taking the focus away from these graceful women at work.  And then it hit me - right there in my viewfinder was another one of the conundrums that make up my days here.

This is what I saw.




1.17.2012

Sugar Hi



 The people of Mangar have been so generous and open to our curiosity about them and their lifestyle.  We feel blessed by their welcoming us into their village
...and want to give something back.

When the children figured out what was in Mike's bag and that he wanted to share with them - he got mobbed...





*At 12 years old children here are full earning members of the family.