Kalighat temple kolkata - Scott Kelbey Photowalk 2014

Kalighat in reflection

This photowalk was a part of the worldwide photowalk organised by Scott Kelby the world renowned photographer . As they say this was perhaps the largest Social Photography event in recent times . I dare try to introduce Scott Kelbey through my words as my best of the efforts would go in vain . This was the 7th Worldwide photowalk organised under Kelbyone banner . In case you have been guessing what is a  photowalk, the definition of a photowalk  is –

“the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting. It is often a communal activity organised by camera clubs, online forums or commercial organisations, sometimes in the form of a walking tour.”

As a photograph enthusiast I have taken part in couple of these photowalks in Kolkata with the purpose of socializing as well as discussing pictures with fellow photographers in addition to clicking pictures . My friend Manjit Singh Hoonjan has been instrumental in organising most of these photowalks and this year also without fail he announced on Facebook about the details .

This was Saturday Oct 11, 2014 , meeting time 3.30 p.m. at Kalighat Metro station . So on Friday night the  religious routine check up activities of a photographer before any shoot was done . Battery – checked and charged . Memory card – Formatted . Additional gears – Packed . Lenses to carry – decided and packed .

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In the twilight zone

For most of the tourists – Indians or foreigners who visit Kolkata, Kalighat temple comes within top 3 places to visit and offering a Puja to the goddess is a must . From cricketers to politicians to film stars to bureaucrats visiting Kolkata – you name them and they have been there at some point of time.

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colourful cildhood

Kalighat temple is a temple for the goddess Kali. Although the current temple building is only 200 years old, however historical references of this temple have been there since the fifteenth century . The belief in this goddess is universal across the devotees however it is believed that offering prayer and Puja over here is very auspicious and most of the times the wishes are fulfilled .

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The lonely elderly Studio owner

As photography is banned within the temple premises and that was not the purpose of the photowalk, so we targeted the streets and people around . We were a group of around 10 and we explored the place for about 3 hours looking through the view finder for the frames .

Must say this place is a street photographer’s delight and nightmare both . “Delight” because with so many interesting activities around, every moment you will feel you are missing out on a frame . “Nightmare” because the place and the street lacks a defining character which represents Kalighat and unique to it, that you would not find in any other Hindu religious place of India.

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The lanes and bylanes where time stands still

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Everyone is present

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Offering for Ma Kali

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The studio which is nearly 100 years old

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Sakura Color film

 

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Just Like that

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The elderly sweet seller

I dont know whether these pictures are worth enough to be posted, but definitely as we discussed at the wrap up session, that irrespective of one photowalk or multiple, capturing pictures which symbolizes Kalighat is really tough. One would definitely get pictures which tells the story of almost 100 years old photo studio , walls and buildings which are witness to 100 – 200 years gone by , various regular activities that are carried out in a religious places, the interactions between the buyers and sellers , the ingredients of Puja getting sold, the flower and garland seller, the sweet shops, all of them are present and perhaps that makes this place Kalighat .

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Goddess Kali is there everywhere

Let me know how you like it.