Kul@sekaranpattinam,TheDasaraVillage
I was out on a short trip to Kulasekaranpattinam a small village with less than 10000 population. I was waiting for this trip for an year now, thanks to photojournalist friend Selvaprakash, who motivated with his awesome set of frames from last year Dasara.
The train journey from Bangalore to Kulasai was tiresome, as the train delayed by 4 hrs, cos of some goods train derailed that night. But, when i reached this village, you guys should believe me, the energy levels are very very high during the festivity. We all really enjoyed the days and nights of shooting across kulasai, manapadu and Tuticorin.
Few frames from the trip…
UdayaRaj… a lil demon..
Kaali in the making..
Men.. Women.. and others…
More frames at.. Kulasekaranpattinam
Few BEST things to list here.
1. Making of Kaali and of course the energy levels of Kaali.
2. Shooting of Udayaraj, when he was in Demon get up.. and searched him the next day to shoot with out the costume.
3. Amma, Appa and Food at Adhi’s home.
4. Manapadu Village, Fishermen and the Church.
5. Salt harvesting and the stories behind at Tuticorin.
I really enjoyed the trip and thanks to the TEAM, with special thanks to Adhi.
NOTE:
Kulasekaranpattinam a coastal village in Thoothukkudi (Tuticorin) district, famous for its 300-year old Muthariamman Koil located on the seashore. During Dusserah more than one million people assemble in the area and fine music resonates with the rhythmic beat of drums.
Folk artistes from all over the State converge here to participate in the 10-day festival. The beach looks like a fair ground and the performances reminds one of the natyotsavs in large temple.Tuticorin, Nellai and Kumari district bustle with preparation for Folk Carnival activities this year.
There is no Royal patronage and the entire festivity veers round the presiding deity Sri Muthariamman of Kulasekaranpattinam. Following an age-old tradition, devotees vow to go from house to house to beg for alms, disguised in various celestial forms such as Kali, Siva, Vishnu and Narada, Animal Forms Such as Tiger, Monkey, Bear, Lion etc. Some devotees transform themselves into mundane figures such as policemen, King, Queen, Justice, narikuravars and beggars during the festival, and roam with begging bowls, to propitiate the Goddess.
