DANCE OF DIVERSITY
With the heart of a nomad journeying across the length and breadth of India, ace lensman SANJAY DAS for years has brought to life the authentic socio-cultural character of our country’s festive and folk traditions that have upheld centuries of culture and community against the vagaries of time. While these beautiful vignettes reveal how he was drawn to capture the richness and mystery of a fleeting moment through his viewfinder, this MOSAIC photo essay pays a tribute to the vast canvas of beautiful festivals synonymous with our spiritual tapestry
As told to SHARMI ADHIKARY
ABOUT THE ARTIST
India’s rich cultural diversity and its many unique customs and traditions have been a major source of inspiration for acclaimed photographer, Sanjay Das. It has always been his endeavour to bring forth the untold stories that this country has to offer and showcasing them to the world at large. The objective is to create imagery that tells a story – in colour, in texture, in light and in shadow and form a unique blend, which is spiritually as well as mentally rewarding. Sanjay’s works are a merger of theoretical and conceptual assertions with experiences,
interests or fascination that finally forms the image and its meaning. Advertising professional turned Fine Art Photographer; Sanjay completed his qualification from College of Art, New Delhi. Photography developed as a passion in his early college days and ever since his involvement with photography has spanned more than three decades. Sanjay, who lives and works from the Capital, has also been a part of many national and international shows.
Hemis Festival, Ladakh
A visual fanfare of colourful costumes, rituals, traditions and sacred Cham dances, Ladakh’s Hemis Festival is a vibrant celebration of the state’s Buddhist heritage by honouring Guru Padmasambhava. Through these captures, I tried to depict the relevance, the colours, the creativity and the community feeling the celebrations so perfectly bring together.
Pushkar Festival, Rajasthan
It is so easy to get lost in Pushkar, but it is also where you will find a part of yourself that you never ever have witnessed. The amount of people who want to be present here during the auspicious Kartik Purnima is humbling. The Pushkar Camel Fair’s popularity extends far and wide and commemorates Rajasthan’s religious and cultural heritage that global travellers also want to witness. Pilgrims gather at the sacred Pushkar Lake for a holy dip and offer prayers to Lord Brahma, the creator, at the world’s only temple dedicated to him.
Raas Leela, Manipur
I have noticed a strange emotional side of the dancers as they perform — it’s as if they are surrendering themselves to the faith they have in Shri Krishna. They craft the costumes, do their makeup as if in a trance. They shine in the moonlight as they match their steps with the percussion, even as the songs heighten the spiritual fervour. Manipuri Raas Leela is that sacred classical dance-drama that artistically portrays the divine love and spiritual bond between Lord Krishna, Radha, and the Gopis. Rooted in Vaishnavite tradition, it brings together graceful movements, devotional music, expressive storytelling, and elaborate costumes. It is more than a dance. All I wanted to frame for posterity is how it is a profound expression of devotion and the eternal connection between the divine and the devotee.
Ratha Yatra, West Bengal
We all know about Puri’s Ratha Yatra, but in Guptipara, the festival gets a magically rustic yet real meaning. The idols feel more near, the simple yet significant traditions wrap you in their warmth. This glorious Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath, marks his annual procession, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, on elaborately decorated chariots, pulled by devotees through streets filled with chants, music, and rituals. Every villager gets involved in a personal way. Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival brings communities together in a joyful expression of faith, tradition, and shared cultural heritage.
Gajan Mela (Festival), Gangarampur, West Bengal
Gajan is a vibrant folk festival of West Bengal, traditionally dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrated during the Bengali month of Chaitra in Gangarampur. The festival features devotional rituals, processions, folk performances, music, and acts of austerity by devotees known as Sannyasis or Bhaktas. Closely associated with Charak Puja, Gajan reflects the rich folk traditions and spiritual practices of rural Bengal, bringing communities together through prayer, penance, and lively celebrations. The beauty of being part of these traditions is that you see how villagers get creative while observing the traditions — song, dance, poetry, craft, costumes, everything upholds culture in a conscious manner.
Chhau Mask Dancers, Purulia, West Bengal
Durga Puja is intrinsic to West Bengal and in Purulia, the Chhau dancers observe it through their vibrant masked dance tradition, blending martial movements, dramatic gestures, music, and storytelling. Performers wear strikingly elaborate masks and costumes to portray characters from Hindu epics, mythology, and folklore. They enact the Mahishashur Mardini part of the lore to elaborate drum beats. Deeply rooted in the cultural life of rural Purulia, this powerful performing art is witnessed in droves by villagers and travellers to the place and stands out as an expression of the region’s rich folk heritage.
Sadhu Taking a Holy Dip, Gangasagar, West Bengal
Gangasagar Mela is one of West Bengal’s most significant religious gatherings, held every year on Makar Sankranti at Sagar Island, where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. Millions of pilgrims, sadhus, and devotees gather to take a holy dip at the sacred confluence and offer prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple. It is bitingly cold when Ganga Sagar takes place but the fervour is infectious. The teeming crowds can get overwhelming but to me what stood out was the tangible faith
Hola Mohalla, Anandpur Sahab, Punjab
An interesting three-day Sikh festival at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, Hola Mohalla, traditionally celebrated right after Holi was started by Guru Gobind Singh. It stands for courage, martial skills, and community spirit through Gatka, horse riding, processions, devotional music, and displays of traditional Sikh martial arts. The festival embodies the values of bravery, devotion, discipline, and fellowship. I had never witnessed this festival up front, so the novelty attracted me.
Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Kumbh Mela, the festival of the sacred pitcher, is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, drawing millions of pilgrims to bathe in sacred rivers. Devotees believe the holy dip purifies the soul and frees them from the cycle of birth and death. Held in rotation at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, the Mela brings together sadhus, saints, ascetics, pilgrims, and visitors from across India, transcending caste, creed, and gender. It was a once in a lifetime experience to be part of Mahakumbh. Everyone brought back learnings and experiences. I brought back frozen frames to chronicle history.
Chhath Puja, Bihar
Chhath Puja is not only the most ancient but also the original sustainable Hindu
festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated with a 72-hour
fast, prayers, and offerings to the setting and rising sun, devotees gather at riverbanks to offer arghya, seeking blessings for the health, well-being, and prosperity of their families. Every devotee gets emotional while praying and that’s what the camera captured.
Theyyam, Kasaragod, Kerala
Theyyam is a traditional ritual art form of Kerala, derived from the Sanskrit word Daivam, meaning God. Performed at temples and shrines, mainly between December and April, Theyyam is a sacred embodiment of deities through dance, music, and elaborate rituals. With over 400 distinct forms, each Theyyam is uniquely crafted through intricate facial makeup, elaborate costumes, ornate headdresses, jewellery, garlands, and other traditional accessories. This festival is a cauldron of colour, craft, culture and creativity. As dramatic as it looked, the visuals too were exciting.