[Leica] Triplicane

[Jayanand Govindaraj]

This week heralds a major annual festival, Shri Narasimha Swami
Bhrahmotsavam at the 8th century Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, which I
have been photographing for years. I normally go with one lens - today was
the turn of the stunning Fujinon 90mm f2 lens on the Fuji X-T2, and I was
shooting it only at wide apertures. In other words this was going to be a
street portrait session!

This is a large set, so please bear with me!

The idol in the temple is carried in a huge palanquin with a few priests on
board around the perimeter of the temple by volunteers. It is an exhausting
task, and at any point of time there must be 20-25 men physically carrying
the extremely heavy load.

The temple elders generally chant the religious shlokas (Sanskrit couplets)
and walk in front:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-009_01.jpg.html

The Head Priest on top, with the idol:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-024_01.jpg.html

The pain and strain of carting the idol around is only too visible:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-042_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-094_01.jpg.html

Every few hundred metres, there is a short break for rest, and a longer
break half way:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-023_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-153_01.jpg.html

I generally convert to B&W when there are too many distracting colours in
the background:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-122_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-147_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-039_01.jpg.html

There is a brass marching band enlivening the proceedings:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-074_01.jpg.html

The faithful wait at different points to see the entourage pass by:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-057_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-071_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-064_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-179_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-006_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-047_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-166_01.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/album254/Triplicane/Triplicane-20170706-172_01.jpg.html

Please see LARGE

Comments and criticism, as ever, welcome (with emphasis on the latter!)

Cheers
Jayanand