Beth El Synagogue, a photo from West Bengal, East

Photographer's Note

Pictured here is the interior of the Beth El Synagogue located at Pollock street in Kolkata. The Synagogue was constructed in 1856 with funding from David Joseph Ezra and Ezekiel Judah, two Baghdadi Jews. In the heyday of the Jewish settlement in Kolkata, the community was 60000 strong. Jews from Iraq, Syria and other locations in the middle East had migrated to Calcutta during the British rule and flourished as traders and businessmen. Perhaps the most notable of the Jewish settlers was Sir Elias David Ezra, the son of David Joseph Ezra, who was the Sheriff of Calcutta, a director of the Reserve Bank of India and the President of the Asiatic Society. After the formation of the state of Israel, the population declined and has been nearly decimated and only around 20 Jews remain in the city.

Though services have long ceased at the Beth El Synagogue, its interiors are astonishingly well maintained. The maintenance has been carried out by the local Muslims for the last several generations and during my visit, I was escorted inside by Shiraz Khan (photo as WORKSHOP), a third generation caretaker of the Synagogue.

In the WORKSHOP section I have posted two more photographs.

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ChrisJ, Fis2, worldcitizen, jhm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Sergiom (117241) 2019-06-20 6:05

Bonjour Satya,

J'ai un peu l'impression de p閚閠rer dans un endroit qui me serait d閒endu. Un peu comme les femmes qui doivent 阾re au jub� et non sur le plancher de danse. Un tr鑣 beau noir et blanc.

Amicalement

Serge

holmertz (102708) 2019-06-20 6:20

Hello Satya,
These are three very interesting photos. I have not been here and I had to look it up on the map to find out the location. It is amazing that this unused shrine looks in such good condition, and it's even more amazing to learn how it is being maintained. Traditional good neighborly relations are obviously more important here than traditional suspicions between the religious groups so common in other parts of the world. I was in the equally unused synagogue in Kochi, which featured in a Salman Rushdie novel, but it didn't look anywhere as good as this. It is also a fine photo with excellent symmetry and a good greyscale.
Kind regards,
Gert

BennyV (34748) 2019-06-20 6:48

Hello Satya

A fine series of picture of an interesting location and a great piece of history. In most parts of the world it seems to be so difficult for different religions to live together, still it is amazing (and great) to see this synagogue in such great shape. I really like your inclusion of the caretaker's portrait too.

Thanks for sharing!

Benny

ChrisJ (171822) 2019-06-20 6:56

Namaste Satya

Superb interior shot of this charming church with wonderful tonal range, & excellent sharpness and framing. Good choice of black and white & thanks for sharing.

Fis2 (170779) 2019-06-20 9:50

Witaj Satya!
A very curious interior.
Good framing and perspective.
Excellent b&w picture.
I like sharpness and light.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

worldcitizen (16072) 2019-06-20 9:59

Hello Satya,
This is a very interesting post, and a beautiful photo. It's wonderful to see this synagogue so well-preserved, and by a Muslim caretaker. The details, such as the chandeliers and windows, are so elegant. Does this space sit empty now, or is it still used in some capacity besides tours? Regardless, it's a beautiful part of Kolkata's history.

Silvio1953 (221627) 2019-06-20 11:41

Ciao Satya, lovely B&W composition with excellent perspective, splendid light and good clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pajaran (115911) 2019-06-20 11:58

Pozdrav.
Lepi pogledi, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano. Lepe crno bele fotografije.
Lep enterijer i detalji, lepa Sinagoga.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice views, interesting and good text ...
Good work with nice photos in the workshop, nice to see. Beautiful black and white photos.
Nice interior and details, beautiful Synagogue.
I wish you all the best.

abmdsudi (95869) 2019-06-20 20:36

Hi Satya
A beautiful indoor shot with excellent architectural detail and well exposed. I like the symmetry, sense of depth, soothing clarity and overall pleasing on the eye. Excellent shot.
Best regards

Nicou (193806) 2019-06-20 22:03

Hello
Le NB fait ressortir le brillant sur le lustre et sur les si鑗e quels lustres et vue et ces ventilateurs avec la longue tige fantastique les si鑗es en noir qui brillent aussi ces vitraux ces colonnes blanche quel ensemble et int閞ieur de cette synagogue superbe
Bravo et amiti�
Nciou

Tue (92370) 2019-06-20 22:38

Hello Satya,
This is an excellent photo of the interior of the synogogue. The sharpness and clarity are both superb and the contrast is excellent in this black and white shot. I also like the symmetry and the repetition of the columns.
Lars

emka (158172) 2019-06-21 0:11

hello Satya. I always visit the temples of all kinds - churches, pagodas, mosques, ... Synagogues are rather rare. I saw a synagogue in Kochi. Fantastic symmetric presentation in black and white. superb composition.

KInd regards MAlgo

jhm (211736) 2019-06-21 6:16

Hello Satya,

Three nice pictures with also, the details of the interior are perfect done.
An excellent composition too.
Nice done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

claudeD (47754) 2019-07-08 4:06

Hello Satya,

very fine symetrical composition for this excellent interior shot of the Synagogue Beth El. Very good informaative note. I like your contribution to TE here very much.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC