In anticipation of documenting the exuberant Holi festivities in Vrindavan and Mathura during my forthcoming The Sacred Cities Expedition-Workshop, this short trailer-like movie will captivate you (and my fellow group members) with its splendid videography, colors and slow-motion effects.
The film makers behind the video are Tyler Ginter, Khalid Mohtaseb, Jonathan Bregel, and Nick Midwig using Rule Boston Camera’s Phantom Flex...and they are part of WeAreVariable, a collective and production company based in New York City.
I'm certain that readers of this blog know the Indian festival of Holi which is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year, but here's a summary of what it's all about.
Holi's origins lie in the celebration of plentiful harvests and fertility of the land, but is currently more of a commemoration of a legend from Hindu mythology. The festival is mostly associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and is accordingly observed with uncommon fervor in Vrindavan and Mathura - the two cities with which Krishna was raised and has affiliations. Colored powder (known as gulal) and water, festive processions, folk songs, dances mark the celebration of Holi in these cities.
With about two months to go until our group is in Vrindavan/Mathura, discussion are already under way as to how best to protect our photographic gear from the effects of colored water and powder. Various alternatives have been debated, and experimentation with these alternatives has already started.
