I wanted to start this blog with a post about my family and myself, but a few days ago I had the opportunity to attend an incredible photo tour referred to Holi, so taking advantage of the occasion, I decided instead to share the images of this colourful festivity.
Please note that this event was extremely challenging to capture.
Water and colours keep going around including the eyes and camera. There are moments when looking through the viewfinder is impossible. Hundreds of people are pulling and pushing and the light condition constantly changes. So bear with my little experience in documentary photography and enjoy this special Hindu celebration through my eyes.
Of course, your comments and constructive criticism will be always welcome. Will help me to improve and motivate me to continue with this passion of mine.
It will be impossible or at least too long to share everything I experienced in these intense, crazy, fun, unpredictable three days. But what I can say is that it was quite an adventure, definitely not suitable for everyone, where I got the opportunity not only to challenge myself in many aspects, but to overcome my phobia to crowds, learned a lot about Lath mar Holi and the culture of the towns we visited.
I met very talented, passionate, professional photographers who were always eager to teach and share their knowledge. I didn´t know anyone before I joined the group, I didn´t know what to expect and I ended meeting 26 people, who got my admiration, respect and gratitude.
Of course, I would have never done this without the support of Federico and my boys, who know how much I love photography and adventure!
I´m a very lucky, fortunate happy girl!
Lath mar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. It takes place well before the actual Holi in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon near Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The name means “that Holi in which people hit with sticks”.
The legend says that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha´s village and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna’s village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi in the town which has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India.
In the sprawling compound of the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, thousands gather to witness the Lath Mar holi when women beat up men with sticks (laṭh or lāṭhī) as those on the sidelines become hysterical, sing Holi Songs and shout Sri Radhey or Sri Krishna. The Holi songs of Braj mandal are sung in pure Braj Bhasha.
On the first day of Lath Mar Holi, gops (shepherds) from Nandgaon come to Barsana to play Holi with the gopis (shepherdesses) of Barsana. The festival begins with a ceremony at the Radha Rani temple. After this ceremony gops then march out of the temple on the Rang Rangeeli Gali where they stop to play holi with the gopis, who stand in groups along the street. The second day gops from Barsana go to Nandgaon to play holi with gopis at Nandgaon.
Holi played at Barsana is unique in the sense that here women chase men away with sticks. Males also sing provocative songs in a bid to invite the attention of women. Women then go on the offensive and use long staves called “lathis” to beat men folk who protect themselves with shields.
During intervals, participants sip ‘thandai’, a cold drink that is sometime intoxicating because it is laced with a paste called bhang, made of cannabis. Bhang and Holi go together. After drinking bhang, people react in different ways, some crave for sweets, others cry or laugh. It is an ecstatic experience, which is heightened by the revelry.
The women of Barsana start preparing a month in advance. The mother-in-laws feed their daughters-in-law rich food so that they show off their prowess on the Holi battle zone. It is a show of love, fun and equality.
