NEW DELHI, March 5 — A group of enthusiastic Malaysian photographers have landed in India to witness one of the country’s most colourful spring festival “Holi” celebrated across the sub-continent this Friday.
The 18-member group led by Yaman Ibrahim, who are on a nine-day trip, plans to cover the northern part of India where Holi is widely celebrated as a “festival of love” or “festival of colours”.
The group plans to capture the colourful images with their photography equipment and tell the outside world on how the colourful festival is celebrated.
“There is something unique and special about this country known for its diversity and rich cultural heritage, you don’t stop after the first visit. It’s something unique here which keeps attracting us,” Yaman told Bernama here.
Most of the group members are making their second and third trips. The group is made up of 15 males and three females from various backgrounds – lecturers, civil servants, veterinarian, freelance photojournalist and technicians.
THE FIRST STOP
They made their first stop at the famous Jama Masjid and Red Fort at Old Delhi before heading to Varanasi, Pushkar, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
As for Yaman, 49, who won several photography awards locally and internationally, it is his sixth trip since his first visit in 2010.
Most of his fellow photographers contacted him via www.yamanibrahim.com to make the trip to India to witness the spring festival.
When asked why he kept returning to India, he replied; “Here we have almost 30 states with different culture, customs and languages who are living peacefully. We cannot cover everything in a single visit. When these people (photographers) contacted me via my website and asked me for further input, I was really excited to make the arrangements,” added Yaman, who was accompanied by his wife.
GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE FESTIVAL
The group is scheduled to attend the ancient Holi celebration at the Banke Hihari Temple, Birandavan, Mathura, about 200 kilometres from Delhi.
According to Yaman thousands of people will take part in the three-day festival that will witness merry-making events in villages and towns.
“One must experience the true atmosphere of the celebration and I cannot describe in words the spirit of celebration, it’s so exciting and colourful.
“It’s a celebration for all whether you are rich or poor, young or old. They dance together by splashing water or coloured powders, it is a celebration for everyone,” said Yaman.
Yaman and his groups were well received by locals in India and they strictly adhered to the “dos and don’ts” especially in temple compounds.
NEVER ENDING EXCITEMENT IN INDIA
Apart from Holi Yaman, an ex-teacher who quit about 10 years ago, also made trips to India for the Camel Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan.
“Other than pictures taken for my personal collection, I sent it to international competitions even here in India,” said Yaman, the winner of the 2013 Maybank Photographer of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Muslianshah Masrie, a Telekom Malaysia employee in Tawau, Sabah felt it was worth the money he spent for the long journey to experience Indian festivals and lifestyles.
Photography has been his hobby and this was his second trip. “I was looking forward for this trip which promises different kind of experience with more friends keen to join me for the next trip,” said an excited
Muslianshah who attended the Holi festival in Mathura last year.
–By M.Santhiran (BERNAMA)
photos: EPA
