Sanjay Das | Hola Mohalla

Photo © Sanjay Das. All Rights Reserved

I've been sitting on this post for a while now...mulling the right time to feature the wonderful photography of Sanjay Das, and today is the day.

There are a number of very interesting galleries on Sanjay's website; all of which will compete for your attentive visit, so give yourself the time to explore every one of them. Whether it's the color exoticism of his Theyyam images, the spirituality of the Bauls, the visual "clang" of Kolkata's trams, or the rarified air of Ladakh, you'll be amply rewarded.

I chose to feature Tales of Valour: Hola Mohalla for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's a visual and cultural topic that I haven't explored myself during my many trips to India; secondly, it's in monochrome (very courageous for such any colorful religious-cultural event in India) and thirdly, because there are a number of images in that particular photo essay that are really really good. Lastly, this year's Hola Mohalla is scheduled on March 28.

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival based on a tradition established by Guru Gobind Singh (22 December 1666 - 7 October 1708), one of the ten Sikh gurus. The festival is an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.

Sanjay Das is based in New Delhi, and started his career as an advertising professional, and is now a freelance photographer with a demonstrated interest and passion for his native country. He held numerous solo exhibitions and group shows and exhibitions of his photographs.