Copyright Sanjay Patil
Why we liked it: every photograph taken during the Holi festival is a whirlwind of colours and this is no exception but we particularly appreciate this one as “the lonely chanter” extracts himself to celebrate a festival of his own.
Patil, something about you.
I am a Chemical engineer by qualification and work for a one of the largest petroleum company in India. At a young age of 18 years, I started taking pictures with point and shoot film camera. My hobby during childhood days was drawing and painting and that sowed seeds in my mind that I can also shoot pictures. I went on to buy my first SLR camera from Kathmandu, Nepal, a journey of more than 1500 km and four days of travel from my home town. Since then, it’s almost more than two decades now, I am doing photography.
When and where was the picture taken?
The picture was shot in March 2012 in the North Indian village of Barsana, near Mathura, India.
One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar. Holi is also called the Spring Festival – as it marks the arrival of spring the season of hope and joy. During the colorful festival of Holi, men and women, boys and girls spray colors and distribute sweets and exchange greeting and sing songs. The picture reflects the joyous mood during Holi celebration. The lonely chanter caught my attention as the event was in full gusto and the place was drenched in colors.
Do you travel a lot around India? What did you gather from travelling around this country?
I live in Mumbai, India. Of late, I have been travelling a lot in India but I also visited some parts of Europe and also to beautiful Himalaya state of Sikkim (India) for mountain photography this year. Truly the strength of India lies in its diversity, a land of more than thousand languages, many religions, year round festivals, cultures and vast differences in socio–economy. People have warmth in their heart and are very colorful as it can be seen in their attire, festivals and homes.
What are you trying to convey with your photos?
I always try to make a point that my picture tells the audience the feeling of joy and happiness, sense of accomplishment and celebration, portray love and togetherness that the human race has since its existence.
What are your plans in the short and long-term run?
The Kumbha Mela, one of the largest human congregations on the Earth (Allahabad, 2013), coupled with other spring festival in north India are on my wish list for 2013.
My dream is to become a messenger to all my fellow human beings to tell how beautiful the planet earth is and protect it from diminishing cultures, social values and ecology through my images.
