SACRED COLOURS

Currently using a Fujifilm Xt200, Abhay focuses on creating environmental portraits, blending the beauty of natural surroundings with the raw emotions of everyday life. As he describes, “When I started to follow my passion and live my life to the fullest, I became the best version of myself.” His work seeks to tell the untold stories of the world around him, from the bustling streets of Delhi to the sacred rituals in Varanasi.

When making his photo series on Masan Ki Holi Abhay witnessed a growing number of young visitors from other cities and international tourists adding their own lens to the vivid celebration. From the glittering ashes to the colourful Abeer (coloured powders), the atmosphere was alive with a riot of vibrant colours, as the sounds of “Har Har Mahadev” and Holi songs echoed across the ghats (steps or stairs leading down to a river).

What draws you to the arts?

As a street photographer, what I might love about art in general is its ability to tell powerful stories without words. Much like street photography, art thrives on emotion, spontaneity, and perspective. You may be drawn to how art captures fleeting moments — a glance, a gesture, or the interplay of light and shadow — turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.

What do you like best about this project?

This year saw not only a crowd four times larger than previous years but also the highest number of youths from other cities. From glittering ashes to multicolored Abeer, the atmosphere was filled with vibrant hues. The celebration also attracted several foreign tourists who captured glimpses on their mobiles and cameras.

Through his lens, Abhay Patel brings a unique perspective to the celebrations of Masan Ki Holi. His photography captures not only the vivid colours and powerful imagery of the festival but also the deep, spiritual connection that defines it. Abhay’s work focuses on the raw emotions of the participants, the sacred rituals, and the fleeting moments of joy and reflection that unfold during this extraordinary event.

Masan Ki Holi translates to “The Holi of the Cremation Grounds” or “Holi of the Pyres.” The term “Masan” refers to a cremation ground or burning ghats, places where the deceased are cremated. In the heart of Varanasi, the festival of Holi is celebrated in a profoundly spiritual and unique way, diverging from the traditional play with colors and gulal. Here, the festival takes on a deeper, more reflective significance, celebrated with the ashes of the pyres—this is Masan Ki Holi, or the Holi of the Cremation Grounds. This unique and spiritual celebration of Holi involves devotees playing with the ashes from the pyres at the cremation ghats, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The ashes represent the impermanence of life, connecting the living with the departed souls.

In cities like Varanasi, the ghats hold deep spiritual significance. For example, the Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat in Varanasi are famous cremation sites, where the ritual of burning the dead is performed. People also visit ghats to perform sacred ablutions and offer prayers, as it is believed that bathing in the holy river can purify the soul. In addition to religious functions, ghats are often bustling with local life, festivals, and cultural activities, making them essential landmarks in many Indian cities, especially those along the riverbanks.

Masan Ki Holi is deeply associated with the Hindu God Lord Shiva, as it is believed that on this day, he celebrates Holi with his companions at the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the most sacred cremation grounds in Varanasi. This celebration is not just about the vibrant colors of traditional Holi, but also a sacred ritual that honors the eternal bond between life and death.

The atmosphere at Manikarnika Ghat on Masan Ki Holi is nothing short of mesmerizing. Thousands of devotees smear their bodies with pyre ashes and dance in jubilant celebration. Traditional Holi songs fill the air, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the Damru (a small, two-headed drum associated with Lord Shiva). The powerful chant of “Har Har Mahadev” resonates throughout the ghat, invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva and reverberating across the city.

Street and documentary photography play a crucial role in capturing the essence of cultural and spiritual festivals like Masan Ki Holi, offering a window into traditions that may otherwise remain unseen by the broader world. These forms of photography not only document the vibrant visuals of such events but also capture the raw emotions, rituals, and stories of the people involved. In the case of Masan Ki Holi, the interplay of life, death, and rebirth is intricately woven into the celebrations, and street and documentary photographers act as storytellers, preserving these sacred moments with authenticity.

Abhay’s photographs transcend mere documentation, offering a narrative that honours both the vibrancy and solemnity of the festival. His environmental portraits, where people are depicted in their natural surroundings, allow viewers to feel the intensity of the moment and understand the profound significance of the celebration. His lens reveals the sacred bond between the living and the departed, encapsulating the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth that is at the heart of Masan Ki Holi.