Images from Kulasai Dussehra, a festival observed in Kulasekarapattinam Village of Tamilnadu. A quiet and laid back coastal village, it comes to life with vibrant attire and unique religious practices that involve devotees offering fire pots to the main diety, Mutharamman. The unique aspect of this festival is the various characters that the devotees adorn as a part of their pilgrimage. While the festival in itself has a history of over 300 years, no one can clearly tell the genesis and evolution of the observance in its current form. Some devotees, especially men, adorn the make-up of a woman with a baby doll in hand, which signifies their prayers for a child or their prayers being granted for a child. One can largely witness a ten or twenty-hand Kali figure commonly in the internet which is associated with this festival; however, the festival is more than just that which meets the eye which can be observed if we travel across the villages surrounding the temple. The images here are my honest representation of the festival.
pranavom 
Your dedication to capturing the essence of Kulasai Dussehra is truly commendable! Traveling such a long way to immerse yourself in the vibrant environment and respectfully document the festival without causing any discomfort to the devotees in their special attires shows your deep respect for both the art and the culture. While I don’t personally believe in the idea that divine blessings are tied to specific rituals or attires, I deeply admire how you’ve portrayed the faith and devotion of the people. Your work is a beautiful bridge between tradition and storytelling—Congratulations to you and your new website!
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Your photography skills are truly exceptional! Each shot you capture tells a story and evokes emotion in a way that few can achieve. The way you effortlessly play with light, composition, and perspective shows not only your talent but also your deep understanding of the art. Really inspired by your creativity and eye for detail—keep sharing your beautiful work with the world Pranav !!
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Thank you Keertana and Ruby for your kind words, I aim to bring more humane stories through my photography, connecting people and culture.
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