The Jazz Concert

Fredrick Koster Quartett, an award winning Jazz band from Cologne, Germany, plays at the Congo Square and DI JazzFest 2012 (Day 1).

Taken with the Nikon D300 and the Nikon 85mm f1.8 D at 800 ISO, 1/350s at f2.4.

Spare a thought!

Bijoya Dashami morning 11 AM. Park Street - A J C Bose Road corner.

Nikon D300 | Nikon 18-200 VR

Durga Puja 2012 : Dashami

This year, things have been a bit different. With my grandmother not keeping well, our usual sojourn to North Calcutta did not happen this year. I made my trip to Bangur Avenue, where she has been residing with my aunt and cousin to meet her.

The pandal next to where they reside had some interesting motifs in burnt clay, that is a tradition of Bishnupur.

The facade of the pandal was also exquisitely decorated.

 

The ceiling motifs were rather interesting . . . 

While driving back, I was surprised that most of the pandals were virtually empty or had few worshipers. Compared to that, the Victoria Memorial had lots more visitors.

Changing times or more tourist inflow during the pujas? Or is it "poriborton"?


Nikon D300 | Nikon 18-200mm VR 

Durga Puja 2012 : Pandal hopping on Nabami

After the grandiose plans were changed to somewhat workable ones, we started with a lunch at Calcutta Club and then spent the rest of the afternoon pandal hopping, with the explicit constraint of visiting those with available parking close to the pandal.

The first was Harish Park.

The next one was 23 Pally. 23 Pally Durga Mandir on Harish Mukherjee Road is a popular place of worship among devotees in south Calcutta.

Tucked in a by-lane off Harish Mukherjee Road, we came across this magnificent pratima in full "dak-er-saaj"!

The pandal structure in 'Goal Math' was shaped like a grain silo of yesteryears and the ceiling was covered with painted clouds and LED stars.

 This pandal in Bhawanipore was made entirely of fishnets!

Bengal United Club's pandal at Lake Range. The entire pandal was made of papier-mâché balloons and toys.

The day done, it was an arduous drive home, with the roads completely jam-packed with people on a pandal hopping spree.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 10-20mm

Durga Puja 2012 : Sandhi Pujo

Flames leap up from the 108 lamps during Sandhi Pujo!

Nikon D300 | Nikon 18-200mm VR 

Durga Puja 2012 : Sandhi Pujo

Age of convergence!

As the sacred flame is handed around during Sandhi Puja at the New Alipore Association Puja, there are people who are busy photographing the flame on their phones.

 Nikon D300 | Nikon 18-200 VR

Durga Puja 2012 : Sandhi Pujo

Sandhi Pujo at the New Alipore Association at New Alipore.

On Ashtami, an integral and important part of the Puja is, Sandhii Puja. This is performed at the juncture of the 8th and 9th lunar day. The last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami, a total of 48 minutes between the two lunar days, constitute the Sandhi or Sandhikhan,the Sacred Juncture. It is considered to be a most auspicious time. At this time Durga is worshipped as Chamunda ,that is, Kali who killed the demon Chanda and Munda.This Puja is considered to be the highest point in the whole Durga Puja and the most important ritual.

(From Aloke Kumar : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=440493152652672&set=a.255656731136316.52988.254856831216306&type=1&theater)

 
Nikon D300 | Nikon 18-200mm VR

Durga Puja 2012 : Maha Astami

A close up of the Goddess Durga during the Maha Astami aarati.

Nikon D300 | Nikon 18-200mm VR

Durga Puja 2012 : Maha Saptami - Dhaaki r Naach

Maha Saptami Puja. The dhaaki dances during the puja on Saptami night.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 10-20mm

Durga Puja 2012 : Maha Saptami

Puja on Maha Saptami night at my friend's residence.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 10-20mm

Durga Puja 2012 : Maha Sasthi

Maha Sasthi.

The pandal of the New Alipore Association at New Alipore during the inauguration today evening.

This year the organizers have done a fantastic job in the decoration of the pandal with frescoes of the traditional Bengali folk art – pat chitra or pat of Kalighat.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 10-20mm

Durga Puja 2012 : Panchami

Panchami.

The Goddess Durga arrives at my neighbour's residence.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 10-20mm

Morning banter

Morning banter at the breakfast table.

I am still trying to experiment with the Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide to get interesting photographs. My previous experiment was a near disaster.

Shot with the Nikon D300 and the Sigma 10-20mm at 1600 ASA, 1/ 125s at f4 and 10mm.

Leaf

Experimenting with the micro Nikkor 60mm AFD lens.

A shot of an orchid leaf glistening in the morning sun.

Nikon D300 with the micro Nikkor 60mm AFD @ 1/250s at f3.2