Tarnetar Fair: A marriage fair in Gujarat!
Here is a detailed account from the trip to Tarnetar!
A classic pose, I think she had no clue how good she looked that day! |
One of my favorite, this woman laughed uncontrollably...finally spilling her chai also :) |
Planning for Tarnetar Fair
The planning to attend Tarnetar marriage fair started in office in July itself as many of us had heard about it and wanted to attend it. After much persuasion our entire group agreed to some and we booked two SUVs and were all set to go!None of us in the group were married, though some are close to getting hitched soon. As the fair is a marriage fair, people come there to get married. Both the men and the women try to draw attention of the member of the opposite sex, and this is the fun part to watch. The men make umbrellas, and bigger the size, higher is his chance of getting a woman of his dreams. The women, on the other hand, wear red skirts which means that they are available for marriage.
For us men it was impossible to make an umbrella and declare our availability, so we insisted that the girls wear red skirts and pretend to be available. The plan didn't work out and we all looked completely out of place and like regular urban visitors (from US or at least Mumbai, or so I was told).
This is from a distance, this girl had no idea I was clicking her |
Perhaps the most scandalizing, yet pretty picture on my blog! |
She had a sad face, but I really liked the colors on her |
A few women, many layers of clothes |
Tarnetar Fair - a brief history
The tarnetar fair is believed to have been happening forever as per the prevalent legends, espeiclaly if you ask any Rabari here. As per the Gujarat Tourism, the event started only about 200-250 years back.The fair draws inspiration from the concept of swayamvar, which is a concept from ancient India where women chooses a husband from a number of potential suitors once she reaches the marriageable age. Back then the society was much evolved, and it was women who led in the selection of partner in marriages. A good example is Sita's swayamvar to Ram in Ramayana. It was done as a large ceremony organised by the girl's father and many potential grooms would come to attend it. At times the men were asked to compete for the task and then the winner would get to marry the girl. Of course, this was done mainly by the kings for their princesses.
Tarnetar draws inspiration from another famous swayamvar from the epic - Mahabharata where Arjuna pierces the eye of a rotating fish and then marries Draupadi
The lady was pretty but stern |
The pretty little girl, the only one I saw dressed in dull clothes... |
Present day Tarnater Fair
The main celebrations of Tarnetar are centered around the Trinetreshwar Mahadev temple (temple of the three eyed god - Shiva) and it's almost impossible to do darshan there. I sat for quite sometime near the men's bathing pond and clicked them diving into the pool. The area was also much cooler due to water, which is a scarcity in the entire ground.It's not just marriages, but the fair is a lot about food and fun also. There are many food stalls selling all possible types of food, and there are multiple rides to make anyone go gaga. Manoj and I tried a few, but I wasn't very sure about the safety so stopped after a while.
Unfortunately, we didn't really see any marriage ceremony as they start much later in the day and we had already planned to go back the same day. We did see a few men with their umbrellas getting ready to show off their 'size', and I could only wish them luck.
The other thing that we didn't see was the Rahado - the circular folk dance of the Rabari women. This is where men come to see the women - a woman in black skirt is married and the one in red is unmarried.
Such a serene face... |
The husband in the foreground, I loved the pose... |
Most had their head covered due to the heat... |
Two women fighting the sun! |
Photography at Tarnetar
Women watching came to me much later, only after we were completely exhausted in the sun and running dangerously short on our water supplies. And as soon as I started clicking, others called for an end to the stay at the fair. Of course I found this to be a good time to disappear with my camera.While the rest of the group waited in the hot cars, and cursed me, I went away and clicked. When I was alone, the women opened up to me and happily posed. I also did quite a bit of candid photography, which was cool.
Sometime around this time Roshni almost collapsed and Tej came to her rescue by giving her company in our blazing hot Tavera along with Khalbali. Oh by the way, the two of them actually got married a few years later in Ahmedabad. With Manoj, Vishakha and Bijoy missing and still looking for the elusive umbrellas and red skirts, I got some more time for conversations and occasional pictures. Dead with the heat and lack of water, I gained some energy with the huge bananas on sale there!
Shortlisting the pictures was the toughest part of making these posts, and I ended up using those that I connected with the most. While some of these ran away from me, most warmed up to have small talks. Almost none of them had a problem with me clicking them, including the men with them. Often others around them would tease them, and then I would have to click many many more of them. But I loved it all, and I hope so did they.
She was dressed in red and was eating bright red watermelon... |
Ah the smile! Wonderful! |
I didn't exactly give her any money, but I think she was happy with the pics :) |
Another one of my favorite...She had beautiful light on the hair |
Practical information:
When: August-September every yearWhere: Tarnatar fair ground - located about 39 kilometres from Chotila in Surendranagar District in Gujarat.
How to reach? The best way is to reach Ahmedabad and then take a cab and come here. The distance is about 200km and the roads are brilliant.
Dates:
2016 - 5th September to 7th September
2017 - 25th August to 27th August
Tips:
- Carry lots of water
- Have a zoom and a 50mm prime handy
- Smile and pick conversations - people are generally very freindly
- Try some rides :)
Read more on their website here - Tarnater Fair.
Just like these women your pictures are very beautiful and candid too. I liked almost all of them.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, 1st pic made me laugh as well. :)
Gorgeous shots .... love them all!
ReplyDeleteIrene
How i love you for these photos...proud and respect.
ReplyDeleteLovely colours, great photos. Beautiful women in their own way!
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures. Won't comment on them all. But do know that I scrolling down. Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love the colours so vibrant.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteYour portraits of these women and girls are stunning and colorful. My favorite is the woman enjoying the watermelon. Just fabulous, all of them. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
I loved the first picture very very much!! The one with serene face was my second favorite! and the beautiful hair one, third!!
ReplyDeleteAll the pictures actually weave a poetry! They are so beautifully clicked and the colors are so refreshing, only if the pastel-color apparelled women of the metros could appreciate it!
Great work!
pictures are gr8! as far as the writing is concerned, might I point out how this blog is different from your fiction blog...
ReplyDelete@Nisha: Thanks Nisha, your feedback means a lot!
ReplyDelete@Irene: Thank you so much :)
@Chintan: Wow...you are generous with your words, thanks a lot!
@DeeBee: You are right, all beautiful in their own way...
ReplyDelete@Zeba: Thanks a lot!
@Nelieta: Absolutely, thank you :)
@Genie: Thank you so much :)
ReplyDelete@Yamini: Welcome here Yamini, I am glad that you enjoyed the pictures!
Its true the colors there were unmatched by what urban women wear, and it was such a pleasant surprise :)
@Roshni: Thanks :) And hahahaha...I got the sarcasm bit, though I stick to my version of the story :)
Wow, such a wide rage if emotions and lives that have been captured so well by your lens!! :)
ReplyDeletebtw, i would like to mail you, dont have your email id.. could you leave me a test mail - aaroo4 at gmail dot com pls.. Thank you!!
colorful images but the girl wearing plain clothes looks too adorable and her smile is infectious:)
ReplyDelete@Aarti: Thanks a lot :) I did mail you...
ReplyDelete@Azhath: I completely agree, she was just adorable and absplutely photogenic :)
shabaash! bahut ache! :)
ReplyDeleteStunning photographs. I very much liked the pretty girl with an innocent smile.
ReplyDeleteWith color brimming out of this post, it felt like attending a feast. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOnce again sid, you have done a great work the pics...!! full of colours and innocence on the faces dat u ve clicked.. luvd it.
ReplyDelete@Shruti: Thank you :) :)
ReplyDelete@RNiranjanDas: Thanks a lot!
@PNSubramanian: Thanks, I also liked her a lot...such an innocent smile :)
@eyeinthesky: Thank you :)
@Bijoy: Thanks a lot buddy, I am glad we made the trip that day...if only for these (and the rocky) pictures we took that day :)
Very interesting pics,such myriad emotions!
ReplyDeleteThat pretty l'il girl with dull clothes is actually a very colourful pic, look at her smile and chubby face...I liked it the best...whata capture...
You amaze me with your great work:)
I completely agree Manasi, the little girl is just awesome :) Thanks for your compliments!
ReplyDeleteExcellent pictures Siddhartha.
ReplyDelete-Mukul
Thanks Mukul!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love the faces, the expressions...so full of life.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant pictures Siddhartha! :)
ReplyDeleteLos colores de sus vestidos superan a los de la naturaleza.
ReplyDeleteUn gran saludo.
colorful captures...
ReplyDeleteThe colors are really nice, i like the photos
ReplyDelete@Satu: Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Hemu: Thanks!
@Ipnauj: Thank you, though am not sure if I understand your comment completely!
@krishna: Thanks :)
@Sergio: Thanks a lot!
Amazing stunning pics bhai =)))
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Everyn :)
ReplyDeleteYou're truly a gifted photographer, Sids. These women and girls.. they're all really amazing, and you've managed to capture their souls.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful indeed - I especially love all the vibrant colours in their clothes, lovely!
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots, love the colors... so different from the conventional portraits...
ReplyDeletemore beauties and expressions! last one is my favorite with a cool perspective!
ReplyDelete@Jules: Thank you so much :)
ReplyDelete@journeyphotographic: :) Thank you!
@Prashanth: :) I agree with you, I never took them as portraits...just a snapshot of emotions...
@Daniel: Thank you so much, especially because I am such a big fan of your work!
These are truly fantastic portraits! Thank you for sharing, I love all your shots presentet here!
ReplyDeleteI love all these portraits. You have shown some beautiful women here. :)
ReplyDelete@Marias: Thanks a lot :)
ReplyDelete@Halycon: Thank you :)
It’s always a pleasure
ReplyDeleteto see such a Wonderful Pictures
good creations
You know those are some really good colorful clicks! You aptly captured in ur frame the expression, the colors, the tones, their faces telling stories. Magnanimous!Also i like the way u cud even notice a hair tone and capture tht. People ignore the small things which are beautiful. U did not. I love every click but the best was the one where the girl who dint know that she was looking so pretty that day. I noticed the PEACE OUT sign she is making. I am an admirer of people pics. Landscapes dont touch me.
ReplyDelete@BrandNewStudio: Thanks a lot :)
ReplyDelete@RedHanded: Thank you so much for the great comment, you made my day already :) I too love clicking people (actually landscapes too), and just beginning to learn the art...
Fantastic work, Sid. Superb photos. All of them!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful images, I love the vivid colours.
ReplyDeleteThy clicks are incredibly beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteNice !
What a beautiful series! These colors of your world..:-)
ReplyDeleteI think No 6 is my favorite.. it is something special with that look.
Happy evening!
Regards Spiderdama:-)
Beautiful photo essay, I would love to see the festival one year, never been to Gujarat, so that might be a good excuse :)
ReplyDelete@Ash: Thanks a lot :)
ReplyDelete@PettyWitter: Thanks, the colors pull me as well to these subjects. They are brilliant...
@Reicha: Thank you :)
@Spiderdama: Thanks :) I am also particularly fond of the image that you liked...
@Angela: Absolutely! Follow the link in the beginning of the post for the dates next year and come down to enjoy it :) Gujarat has lots and lots to offer!
I'm pretty surprised seeing your work. Every detail, every aspect is captured so beautifully, colors woven together to form a heaven like image. I personally adore the pic in which a cute lil girl wearing dull clothes is smiling, perhaps 'coz its impossible to hold oneself back when someone smiles at you that way. Your blog just made my eyes happy :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, you photographers, you people are amazing!
Love, Risha :)
Thanks a ton Risha, your comment made my day too :)
ReplyDeleteI am really happy that you liked the pics, and trust me I am no 'photographer', just someone who enjoys clicking people...
Thank you so much for reminding me to include names of places along with photographs. I've included them now!
ReplyDeleteIncredible . Each picture has its own beauty but my favorite is 'hathon mein mehendi wali lady ' ,the 6th picture.
ReplyDelete@Ash: You are most welcome :)
ReplyDelete@Kavita: Thank you Kavita, this image is also one of my fav! Btw you have a nice blog too...enjoying your posts :)
Magnifiques photos !
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteSo very colorful post!!
ReplyDeleteI never knew ke aisa v koi mela hota hai!!
I know...this was quite a surprise for me as well :)
DeleteSuper simply super
ReplyDeleteThanks so much :)
Deleteloved it...never wanted it to stop that way....
ReplyDelete☺☺
ReplyDelete