Gajan Festival Of Bengal
by Shubhodeep Roy
I came to learn about Gajan Festival during my childhood. I grew up in Kolkata West Bengal. During childhood, I remember seeing men and women dressed as gods and goddesses, practicing some rituals, some fire show, at that time I was so small to understand those things.
After I went to college and after developing Photography as a hobby I decided to cover the festival.
The traditions and rituals seemed out of this world. It was nothing that I had heard or seen in the past. After some research, I visited the Kalighat area in the city of joy Kolkata to attend the festival.
Kalighat's Gajan Festival is one of the oldest and still follows the same rituals that have been around since ancient times. Bengal is known as a land of festivities, where religious ceremonies outnumber the months in the calendar.
The festival Gajan is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly in the Indian state of West Bengal. Gajan is celebrated on the last day of Bengali New Year. This is a pre-harvest season festival celebrated in order to please Lord Shiva. It is associated with such deities as Shiva, Neel, and Dharmaraj. Gajan spans around a week, starting at the last week of Choitro continuing till the end of the Bengali year. It ends with Charak Puja. Participants of this festival are known as sannyasi or Bhokto.
Persons of any gender can be a participant. The complete history of the festival is not known. The central theme of this festival is deriving satisfaction through non-sexual pain, devotion, and sacrifice. As mentioned earlier, the basic reason for the festival is to worship the deities of the respective devotees for the hope of a better rainy season and good harvest. Also, people believe that the festival will provide them prosperity eliminating any sorrow and suffering which they suffered in the past year. Primarily arranged on the premises of different Shiva Temples, the festival is arranged mainly by mendicants (Persons begging or relying on charitable donations) who are referred to as “Gajan Sanyasis”.
The festival takes place on open grounds and not in anyone’s residence. Among the many folk festivals of Bengal, the Gajan festival, Charak Puja and Neel Puja have a special place even in today’s modern age. Although it is celebrated predominantly in rural Bengal, the festival is still celebrated in some pockets of the Metro city of Kolkata. Gajan is actually linked to persons who are related to the agricultural community, directly or indirectly. They pray for the rains and better harvest.
During Charak people dress up as Cosmetic Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, and other deities. Usually, the Rajbangshi caste of persons is allowed to do such acts. They are locally known as “Soung of Gajan” (Soung in Bengali means jester). The word gajan in Bengali comes from the word garjan or roar generated by sannyasis during the festivities. An alternative theory says it is from the two words Ga (village) and Jan (People), indicating the festival of the people.
Personally, I always have a feeling of amusement and fear when I witness such a festival like this, acts which include jumping from a high altitude, playing with fire are very dangerous and can be fatal as well. But the faith, of the people who have towards their deity, is unexplainable. The faith and chaos I experienced while shooting this festival in my hometown is a feeling I really can't explain. I am discovering my city Kolkata every day, by these traditions which only takes place here & nowhere else in the world.
I am Shubhodeep Roy a 20-year-old student photographer based in Kolkata, India. I am pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University Of Calcutta. Photography is my hobby and I have started doing it from a very young age. Borrowing my uncle's Nikon D60 camera. Photography is like a meditation for me, there’s a balance between my mind and my body. For me, photography is all about living in the present moment, the candidness. I love to try and explore various genres of this beautiful art.
A few of my achievements in this field are, I am the winner of the Best Photo Award in Welcome to Asia Photo Contest (JAPAN) and the winner of the 3rd Prize in Portrait Category in 2nd Life In Another Light Photo Contest (USA).
I am also a monthly award winner of the CEWE Photo Award (GERMANY).
Shubhodeep Roy
My shots have been exhibited in Kolkata International Photography Festival 2019, Chennai Photo Biennale's #My2020Hero Initiative, THC Chiiz World Photography Day Exhibition, The Lensation 2020, and in Islamic University (BANGLADESH).
A few of my publications are in Photo Weekly Magazine (GERMANY), Better Photography Magazine, Asian Photography Magazine, Chiiz Photography Magazine, Ei Samay Newspaper(Regional Bengali), and Vogue Italia. I was also featured in an editorial by Wipplay (FRANCE) called "Weekly Talent Run #09.2021".
What a coo: In first place for young amateur photographer of the year is this image, which captures the humble pigeon shaping its wings ready to land
SHUBHODEEP ROY
Our Challenge: if you’ve got a story you can tell in just a few shots, send it to us at Progressive: (progressivestreetphotography@gmail.com) This is a great chance to express yourself in a special way. You must have had sessions or days where you’ve got a real good feeling about how a story has played out. Could be people you tracked for a while or a day at an event. Your call. Let your pictures tell the story. Share it with us, no less than 5. We’ll share the best on our Website! But remember that words are also important for communicating sensations and your thoughts