When I got home from a two week Photography Tour in India recently, a dear friend wanted to schedule a long lunch right away so I could share the stories of my adventure while they were still fresh in my mind.
We settled into our seats at a favorite EGR restaurant and I happily told her about the fascinating trip beginning with the Holi Festival. It was certainly the most dramatic and one of most memorable of the daily adventures. Right off the bat, she asked, “What’s the significance of all the colors?
Significance of Color
Hah! Couldn’t answer that. When you go on a photography tour there is less emphasis on learning about the culture as there is about taking pictures of it. We were all obsessed with pointing our lenses at the foreign and fascinating scenes all around. It’s why we signed up. While great fun, it did leave some gaps in my cultural knowledge.
As soon as I got home from our leisurely lunch, I fired up the internet to research her question and this is what I learned.
First, color is really important to the Indian psyche. It’s every where and have significance. But I knew that. Color is a really big deal in India!
For more about color in India, read India: Country of Colors.
White is all about purity but also mourning. It’s the color widows wear. But more about that later. Black is considered ugly, evil and undesirable. It is worn to ward off evil.
People wear and celebrate color everywhere especially at the Holi Festival.
The main colors seen in the Holi Festival are red which reflects love and fertility. Blue is the color of Krishna. Yellow is the color for turmeric, revered because of its medicinal properties and green symbolizes spring and new beginnings.
When I look back at my images of the various events where Holi was celebrated I didn’t see blue paint. Surprised me because in my research I read that Holi started because the supreme Hindu diety, Krishna fell in love with the goddess Rahha but was concerned with the differences in their skin color, his being blue.
His mother advised him to playfully paint her face to overcome their differences.
Whether he did or not, they never married, but their relationship is legendary in the Hindu traditions.
Hope you enjoy some scenes of the Holi Festival in Vrindavan and at the Hola Mohalla where people thronged the streets and temples going mad smearing colored paint on each other……and……haha….on me.
For more photos by Karl Grobl, Photography Tour Leader for the Three Festivals tour, visit Karl’s blog. KarlGrobl.com
Comments
7 CommentsMargaret Idema
Apr 24, 2017Thanks Susan for this informative explanation of the Holi Festival….when you travel, it IS hard to take in not only the sights but also the culture. Often when I get home from a trip, things become a blur right away which is sad. I remember more of what I SEE than of what I learn about a culture. Easy to do.
Susan J. Smith
Apr 24, 2017Thank you, Margaret for your comments.
I agree, it is hard to take in the culture and the visual experience. We did have a local guide at each destination on the trip who was there to share the culture with us. Fortunately they were told that our first priority was taking photos.
As for your comment about sometimes things become a blur. I think you are right and that’s why I really enjoy doing blog posts about my experience. It gives me a chance to think about it, do some research, edit photos and relive the experience. I love having that opportunity.
JoAnne
Apr 24, 2017Wow, wow, wow! These are incredible shots. That top shot in particular should be on a wall somewhere. So much color and life and humanity!
Susan J. Smith
Apr 24, 2017Thank you, JoAnne, I really appreciate your comment. I shot that from the balcony of an Ashram where we spent the morning taking pictures. Will post more next week. You can see why photographers love Holi.
Marie Preston
Apr 25, 2017What an exciting experience, on so many levels . . . a photographers paradise!
You are an eye on worlds most Americans will never see! Thanks for sharing!
Susan J. Smith
Apr 25, 2017Thanks, Marie, I appreciate your nice comment. Yes, it was an exciting, interesting, exhausting and amazing experience. Visually so stimulating. Can’t wait to go again.
Kathy
May 8, 2017Now I understand why you wanted to go back to India for a second visit!! You have wonderful pictures to share your once in a life time experience–celebrations that most of us will never be a part of. Thank you for sharing!