Silken Dreams in Blue, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

In the history of the India, Benaras or Varanasi is known to be in existence from the days of Rigveda i.e. about 1500 - 2000 BC. In the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, references have been made about the fame of Benarasi Saris and fabrics and which referred to as Hiranya Vastra (Putamber Vastra).

In the ancient time Benaras was famous for the weaving of cotton sari and dress materials, but slowly switched over to silk weaving, during the Mughal period around 14th century. Weaving of brocades with intricate designs using gold & silver threads became the speciality of Benaras.

Benaras is considered to be one of the richest weaving craft centres of India, famous for Brocade saris and dress material. Benarasi saris are considered one of the finest saris in India known for its gold and silver brocade, fine silk and opulent embroidery, which makes them highly sought after. These saris are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and because of these engravings, these saris are relatively heavy.

The hand looms which the silk workers used to weave their magic over silk over years, in recent times are becoming an endangered commodity. A gorgeous silk brocade sari, which used to take 3 weeks by hand in the looms, takes only a day in the machines that slowly replace them. There are only a handful of these looms left now….

This picture was taken at Madanpura, in a room which was otherwise dark even during broad daylight, illuminated only by incandescent bulbs, as the weaver in his hand loom, wove his magic in blue dyed silk....Hence the ISO 1600

I liked the Chiaroscuro effect...almost like two frames, two scenes within the frame of this picture

bukitgolfb301, besnard, lousat, pierrefonds, sacimar, krzychu30, ourania, danos, josepmarin, pajaran, Graal, jhm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2012-06-26 1:05

Hi dear Angshuman

This is another artstic shot.
Intentional under exposure (maybe your strategy) makes very very fantastic atmosphere. Shallow focus zoon helps positive impact. Thanks for sharing with nice shot and have a good day!
Best regards,

Takero from Tokyo

besnard (59196) 2012-06-26 2:19

Bonjour Angshuman
Intйressant cet homme au travail. Une belle symphonie de bleus.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journйe.
Nicole

lousat (140070) 2012-06-26 2:21

A very different pic and a great result,i like the dark lights,there is a touch of mistery,beautiful colors and details too.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (115677) 2012-06-26 4:36

Hi Angshuman

You have captured wll the serious expression of the weaver. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the weaving machine. The interior light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Bluejeans (64251) 2012-06-26 5:00

Ola Angshuman ,
Boa foto de vida diбria com este homem a trabalhar neste tear em tons de azul , gostei muito do ambiente de trabalho , boa atmosfera , parabйns!!
Um abraзo Gonзalo

everlasting (20074) 2012-06-26 5:25

I immediately have to think of your classic image of the women and the loom, how beautiful that was. This also Angshu, is very well executed. In such low light we can only imagine how difficult it is to work. Works wonderfully for a photographer but not as a weaver. The brilliant blues complete the scene.

I wont even comment on the fact that 114 persons have looked at this and only 5 stopped to comment - what do people want?

Sergiom (117241) 2012-06-26 6:22

Bonjour Angshuman,

J'aime beaucoup cette scиne de la vie quotidienne de cet homme derriиre son mйtier а tisser. La gestion de la lumiиre est magnifique.

Amicalement

Serge

sacimar (38173) 2012-06-26 7:45

Hello Angshu,

I like this composition, the atmosphere is very nice and the combination of colors creates an interesting image, good idea and good note,

Best regards,

Sergio

krzychu30 (15512) 2012-06-26 8:11

Hello Angshuman,
very nice,interesting scene in which the colors play the leading role.For me anyway.I really like them.The colors are so warm and vibrant and the contrast between them make the scene even more picturesque and eye-catching.
Best Regards
Krzysztof

Budapestman (82620) 2012-06-26 8:33

Hi Dear Angshu,
not an easy work....a beautiful photo with superb composition and details, the light control is excellent. The title of the photo is splendid, great shot, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kнvбnok!
Gyцrgy

ourania (51103) 2012-06-26 9:30

Hello Angshuman,
a wonderful picture. The diagonal placement of the loom manages very well the small space, gives depth and perspective and adds a smooth elegance. The soft artificial lighting has been managed superbly. I love the three different colours that distinguish the three parts of the composition. The atmosphere is captured excellently, the weaver's concentration fills the room, it's almost palpable. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good day,
Ourania

emka (158962) 2012-06-27 0:01

Hi Angshuman,
Artistic shot from the silk workshop. I also visited many similar places, in India, and lately in Myanmar. How hard the people work there, specially young girls, sometimes even kids.
]magic blue colour of silk , for saree probably.

WArm regrads

Malgo

mohammad_H (10178) 2012-06-28 10:35

سلام
زندگی و شغلهای مردمان زحمتکش هند
خودکفایی و متکی به خود.نداشتن وابستگی به بیگانه
ارمان های گاندی محترم
عصر بخیر
Hello
Living and working people of India jobs
Self-sufficiency and self-reliant. Lack of dependence on foreign
Dear Gandhi's ideals
Good afternoon

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-06-28 18:56

Namaste Angshu
This is a such a delightful shot, an artist at work and so well deailed with excellent exposure.The low level light has thrown up some cracking good shadows here and the warm mellow light shows some super detai with that special ambience and atmosphere. The softness in colors is most attractive and the contrasty blue finishes it off perfectly. The use of diagonal is so effective with a very good effect here and how lovely observing him doing his routine so religously full of concentration and the speck of wam light falling on his face is wonderful touch! This is splendid shot packed with infor notes which enhances one's appreciation of the image. Fine work Angshu, Well done. TFS
Salam

danos (110407) 2012-06-29 0:30

Hello Angshu,
nice the snapshot with the weaver in his workshop to work under the low light of the incandescent bulbs.
The magic of the blue dyed silk looks excellent under the low lighting conditions with the ISO 1600 to helping your effert to maks the scene even more effective.

Regards,Danos

josepmarin (59385) 2012-06-29 4:25

Namaste, my friend Angshuman,
I like the effect of chiaroscuro that you have caught in this room.
The scene of the work of the weaver is caught with all its spontaneity and its vitality, in an image with a weak light, balanced well, and a few nice colors that offer us a pleasant chromatic contrast between golden and blue tones.
A great composition.
Best regards,
Josep

Fis2 (172083) 2012-06-29 5:59

Witaj Angshu!
A very interesting place.
Beautiful old craft, i like it.
Photo has climate.
Best regards
Krzysztof

ChrisJ (172442) 2012-06-29 6:44

Hi Angshuman

I like the warm cold colour contrasts between the blue silk & the yellow loom & bg lighting top right. The man at work adds scale & context. Effective tight framing yet still with adequate breathing space all around. Good sharpness & shadow detail despite the low interior light levels. Tfs!

pajaran (117201) 2012-06-29 12:50

Pozdrav.
Kod nas se i danas koristi razboj za tkanje.
Dobar snimak i kontrast, lepe boje.
Dobar tekst i kompozicija, moje cestitke na dobrom prikazu.
Tezak je posao, tkanje.
Sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja.

Google.

Greetings.
With us today are used for weaving loom.
Good shot and contrast, beautiful colors.
Good lyrics and composition, my congratulations on a good display.
Hard work, weaving.
All the best for the weekend.
Paja.

Graal (103040) 2012-06-30 0:45

Hi Angshuman,
an interesting scene, theme and informations. Good colours and composition. Well presentation and picture from Your archive.
Have a nice WE.
Aleksander

Nicou (193814) 2012-06-30 7:09

Hlelo

fantastique scиne et iamge superbe vue du cet artisan tisseur avec de l'intimitй un trиs beua rendu sur le mйtier а tisser, splendide.

Bravo et amitiй

Nicou

jhm (211738) 2012-06-30 7:10

Hello Angshu,

This image doing my thinking to the fifties in Belgium, a lot people had than a weaving loom in home, this is over.
A lot people have to work in very difficult conditions in your country.
Excellent daily life image.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

ciakgiak (30) 2012-06-30 16:51

Caro Angshuman,
Una splendida immagine di quest'uomo nel pieno svolgimento del proprio lavoro.
I colori sono molto belli, la foto и composta in maniera magistrale, complimenti.
Un caro abbraccio
Giorgio

jaywalker (16105) 2012-07-04 10:16

Hi Angshuman, This is a great portrait of this man at work, the lighting is excellent & what a gorgeous blue colour, you have capture the scene perfectly, kind regards Wilson

Waylim (25436) 2012-07-05 18:11

Hi Angshu,

I like this kind of photos, it is more cultural with tradition and way of life. Not just beuatiful landscape that sometimes is beautiful but rather meaningless. Quality is not your best but consider the low light, it is difficult to do, even with a tripod. I love the bleu and golden light mix.

An excellent iamge of the artisan at work.

Way

Didi (61591) 2012-08-05 9:15

Salam Angshu
Very interesting scene in spite of the hard conditions of lights
Thanks for no using the flash.
Best regards