Adibasis Gathering at Esplanade with lists of issues

©Swattik Jana

Many Adibasis with a variety of long-term problems congregated in Esplanade from various West Bengal districts. Additionally, a number of local leaders from various adibasi communities are there. Their key agenda items today are protesting land acquisition for the Birbhum coal mine, protesting faulty SC and ST certificates, and strengthening ties with various Adibasi communities.

©Swattik Jana

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Cock Fight in Bengal

Photo: A Kaitkar holding rooster before starting the fighting (All rights are reserved ©Swattik Jana) Cock fighting is one of the oldest sports in India. Due to various reasons, this game is on the way to disappear today. Recently Purulia, West Bengal and India's biggest "cock fighting" competition took place. This arena is at least 63 years old. Like every time this time also thousands of rooster owners and village people from Belpahari, Dhanbad, Odisha, Jhilimili are participated in this event. Sometimes one rooster is responsible for village's fame. Rarh bhum region cock fighting means organizing a big village fair. Pan, Bidi, Gutkar Shop, Chop, Panpar, Televaza Shop, Jilipi, Goja, Sandesh etc sweet shops are there. At the same time, it is seen that the women of the neighboring village come with "Haria" (the traditional alcohol from made from fermented rice) loaded on their heads in the early morning. Early in the morning, the preparation of dishes from...

Bhar

Series of Bhar Even and Odd Processed Bhar Before Bisque Firing Before Bisque Firing Soil Processing

Mansa Puja in Fanibabu's eyes

This is a "Bauripara" Mansa Pujo, where Mother Mansa is worshipped, is a little different. Generally, Maa Mansa is worshiped with great passion in various rituals in different parts of Manbhum. The puja of this neighborhood is held in a house, where it is said that a few hundred years ago Ma Mansa herself told some Bauris about the puja house and puja rituals through a dream. And the specialty of the puja is to hit the mother-laden monk with a special long whip made of "karra" or grass. More importantly Mansa Puja, a different kind of emotion and joy can be observed in almost the entire neighbourhood. People like Fanibabu also take pleasure in their physical complications. I have shown some photographs of how he enjoys Mansa Puja every year. All images are subject to copyright ©SWATTIK JANA (swattikjana34@gmail.com)

Series II: Project Sundarban

Project Sundarban is one of my long term project. Most of the work based on costal village, Natural beauty and daily life. Most of the working reagions are vulnarable to natural calamities like severe cyclone, High tide. Some places like Laharipur, Chargheri are facing numbers of tiger attack. My "Project Sundarban" is a small effort to those lives and to tell their stories by my photoes. Sundaban is situated one of the most cyclone prone areas and plays most impotent role in the southern part of West Bengal in India. Due to rapid increase of population and increase rate of deforestation have severe effect on this Mangrove. Increase rate of cyclone in last decade has also devastating impact on this areas. Apart from that, increase rate of man killed and eaten by Royal Bengal tiger started a undeclared war in between human and nature. Increase rate of threat on human lifestyle and Mangrove ecosystem make this project more life and scene. Figure 1: A beautiful spot near Dutta ...

Moi-Chara in Herovanga 2022

Figure 1: Moi-chara in Herovanga (©Swattik Jana) For the sake of bull's good health and new soil preparation "Moi-chara" has been played in rural part of southern part of West Bengal, specifically near Canning region. In Herovanga, this is the 29th year for this game and after two lockdown years this game has been continued. Figure 2: Moi-chara in Herovanga (©Swattik Jana) Participants come with their own bull from 20-60 kms by walking a day before the event date. They rest for one single day for preparation. With started of monsoon and before soil preparation this this event is being organised on paddy field. Figure 3: Moi-chara in Herovanga (©Swattik Jana) As per game rules, there are a starting point and a red "gamcha" (local towel) has been attached on the top of bamboo at the ending point. Participants have to stand on top of Moi (bamboo stair), which is attached by rope and wooden board with two own bulls by holding their tails. Figure 4: Moi-chara in H...

LIFE IN VENDOR COACH

(Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) Vendor Coach of local train in West Bengal, is one of the most significant role player for farmers and local business persons. There are a significant amount of times (around 6-7 hours a day) are being spent by them on this coach. (Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) Most of them have specific timings and they prefer to travel by same vendor coach on a particular local train only. (Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) Being a significant part of their life spent on a particular coach on daily basis, most of them knows each other, eat with each other, plays card, sings songs with each other. (Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) Cheese curds are one of the most important product that are being transported in Vendor Coach for the sweet shops of Kolkata city and its nearby shops. (Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) (Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) (Life in Vendor coach / Swattik Jana) (Life in V...

Beyond Ram and Ravana: The Living Gods of Kulasai Dussera

In the coastal village of Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu , faith takes on an earthly form during Kulasai Dussera . Here, gods and goddesses descend to dwell among men—not through idols, but through devotees who embody the divine in a spectacle of trance, transformation, and devotion unlike any other festival in India. As India celebrates Dussehra with fireworks and effigies of Ravana, over eight lakh devotees converge at the 300-year-old Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple , where the air hums with chants, drums, and the sound of transformation itself. A Festival of Transformation The Kulasai Dussera, observed during Navaratri , spans ten days and culminates in the dramatic Soorasamharam , the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Lalithambigai—an incarnation of Mutharamman , the fierce guardian deity of the town. Unlike Dussehra elsewhere, where the focus is on the Ramayana, the myth here centers on female divinity and creation’s power to restore mo...

Chenna (ছানা) transpotation in Kolkata sweet shops by local train

Chenna has been put on train floor to remove excess water (©swattik jana) Relaxing time (©swattik jana) Shy moments and fun times (©swattik jana) Chenna checking (©swattik jana) No space to stand (©swattik jana) Open on air for bateria grow (©swattik jana) Meeting on the way (©swattik jana) White fresh chenna (©swattik jana) Seris of Chenna (©swattik jana) A nap within work and long way to go (©swattik jana) Chenna observation (©swattik jana) Time to leave (©swattik jana)

76th Independence Day celebration at Red Road

©Swattik Jana 76th Independence Day celebration at Red Road in Kolkata. In presence of Mamata Banerjee the parade and other ceremony started. Several school students, artists from different districts are took part in this parade. Several stunts has been taken place by Kolkata Police. Apart from that there are several state government scheme and its awareness rally has been observed i this ceremony. 76th Indenpence Day celebration at Red Road in Kolkata. In presence of Mamata Banerjee the parade and other ceremony started. Several school students, artists from different districts are took part in this parade. Several stunts has been taken place by Kolkata Police. Apart from that there are several state government scheme and its awareness rally has been observed this ceremony. ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jana ©Swattik Jan...

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Beyond Ram and Ravana: The Living Gods of Kulasai Dussera