A nice big crowd for 2021, a photo from Orissa, East

Photographer's Note

This is the street outside the large Jagannath Temple in Puri on the Indian east coast in October 1987. In those days I enjoyed being swallowed by large Indian crowds. After nearly a year of dreadful self isolation I am looking forward to the time when I can join a crowd (not necessarily in India) without fear of catching a potentially deadly virus.

I started my new, old journey with my last upload a few days ago. I started on the beach of Puri in the state of Orissa (Odisha) an early evening. Away from the long, sandy beach lined with hotels Puri is a fairly idyllic town (or was, 33 years ago), famous for its many Hindu temples.

Orissa, along with Tamil Nadu in the south, is one of the Indian states most famous for its spectacular temples. A big drawback in Orissa is that non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the major temples, only some smaller ones or those that are not used for religious services on a daily basis. In Tamil Nadu, as far as I remember, foreigners are admitted everywhere.

That is the reason why I have no picture actually showing the Jagannath temple, dating back to about the 10th century but rebuilt many times. From the street not much can be seen. It is possible to climb to the top floor of a building across the street, but according to my diary I found the amount of money they would charge me ridiculously high, so I didn't bother.

You can find approximately this view using the map coordinates 19.80444 85.81929, or just click at Map: view in the box to the right. According to my diary the blue stalls were mainly selling religious souvenirs.

In the WS is a Corona safe photo from Puri. Both photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

Fis2, pajaran, ChrisJ, pierrefonds, alvaraalto, PaulVDV, jhm, Royaldevon, ikeharel, jean113, worldcitizen, COSTANTINO, everlasting, adramad, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221751) 2021-01-01 0:37

Ciao Gert, fantastic view of a lot of people, excellent clarity, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, Happy New Year, ciao Silvio

Fis2 (170885) 2021-01-01 1:05

Witaj Gert my neigbour in the new year :)!
Another interesting set of photos from your archive.
I don't know when the crowds will start in the new year?Good frames and colors.
I like this scene from daily life.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

pajaran (116011) 2021-01-01 1:35

Pozdrav.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perpsketivom i dobrim tekstom.
Lepa fotografija u radionici i secanje.
Lepa fotografija cestitka.
Zelim vam sve najbolje u Novoj godini koja je pocela, dobro zdravlje i uspeh u radu, da vam se ispune sve zelje.
Paja.

lousat (139342) 2021-01-01 2:29

Hi Gert,in fact it is a long time since we have felt such a sensation, walking through the crowd, but it will surely be the year of the turning point. The photo is excellent, the notes are also interesting, too bad you could not enter most of the temples. The WS is nice, even if the boats don't seem so precious to me ... hehe .... again happy new year and thanks!Luciano

jmdias (115280) 2021-01-01 2:35

gert

a typical indian crowd, in a country where there are many people to create such scenes. Brazil is one of the most populated countries in the world but inside india we only would be one of its largest provinces.
here in my town we had no fire works in the main square and the streets were empty first time in the history.but in the private parties covid was welcome.

take care

jorge

ChrisJ (171888) 2021-01-01 3:48

Hi Gert,

A superb daily life scene from Puri with good midground and bg sharpness. Well framed and composed using the rule of thirds. Almost as crowded as a major Chinese train station! Tfs!

pierrefonds (114556) 2021-01-01 4:39

Hi Gert,

The presence of the crowd is animating the scene compared to your workshop photo. The point of view is showing the details of the buildings. The light has a good effect on the colors. Happy New Year.

Pierre

alvaraalto (42804) 2021-01-01 5:13

Dag Gert,
A nice big crowd we wouldn't say that a year ago because being pushed away in the crowd is not really pleasant.
But things change and in our one and a half meter society (word of the year in the Netherlands) you would like to be able to get a little more in the crowd again.
So this is a good wish for 2021.
Have a good weekend, groet Rob

PaulVDV (62978) 2021-01-01 5:35

Hello Gert,
There's still room for a few extra people around the black cow in the middle :)
Seeing this photo and reading your note I feel the desire to be in the midst of a great crowd again, without a mouth mask, without keeping a distance and without the fear of catching a virus. I never thought I would ever be in such a need.
It remains to be seen whether this will ever be possible again ... How and when will most of the people in populous third world countries ever get the vaccine?
The scene on your main photo may become a sight that I can only look at with nostalgia.
In Tamil Nadu, I've only visited one place, Madurai, not the least.
The Meenakshi Temple there could be visited by everyone. Inside the huge temple, however some smaller areas were reserved for Hindus. Something acceptable, I think.
It's a pity that Orissa thinks otherwise. I would therefore be inclined to choose another travel destination in India. Or am I exaggerating?
Regarding your second picture with the dogs guarding the boat:
I haven't had the best experiences with dogs during my travels. Certainly not outside the western world.
No problems with dogs in the city but rather somewhere in semi-deserted areas. This can be in full nature (I often had problems in Yemen) or in a place where few people come (near a remote house or, like here near these boats on a deserted beach). For years already I know that I have to be very careful with stray dogs and even with dogs that belong to somebody but where the owner isn't present.
I wish you a healthy and pleasant time in 2021 with situations and experiences that you have in recent months been looking forward to.
Kind regards, Paul

jhm (211736) 2021-01-01 6:08

Hello Gert,

** My picture was removed through the wish for new year, this is forbidden, we are yet with ten active members but this forgot the direction not, but it was my mistake**
You show us very well picture with much people, I would are afraid between the people!.
This is lovely photo work, with high sharpness.
Very well done, TFS

I wish you a healthy 2021,
John.

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-01-01 6:54

Hello Gert,

To see so many people, crushed shoulder to shoulder, seems like a criminal act! We have been so guided towards social distancing that even when we meet people on narrow pavements, one person or people step aside so that the others can safely pass. There is an awful lot of head nodding or thanking taking place. But ... look at this! It is amazing how we have changed in a few months!

Like you, I am eager to return to normality, not necessarily parties but just to walk in a group or shop in a store!

You have shown us the mayhem of a street in Puri. The road is blocked with pedestrians and yet, I can see a bus trying to pass and a couple of wheeled vehicles! I wonder how many accidents occur!

Your w/s shows just the exact opposite! A quiet scene, with hardly a person in sight and only a dog for company.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

ikeharel (113453) 2021-01-01 7:10

In other era, a crowd like this was possible, Gert.
As said before, India is all about its people.
Wondeful old scanned picture, impressive how the road was crowded back in time when taken.
Have a nice first evening of 2021.
Ike

emka (158204) 2021-01-01 12:44

Hello Gert, Who could imagine one year ago that we would miss the crowds and just being with the people. Life has many surprises, this time for the whole world. This is real India, as I like. The picture with the dog is charming. I remember that sometimes it was possible to enter the temples, or the small part was forbidden. Of course, I would love to see these temples, I have stars on the Google map - in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Konark. Will it ever be possible for me?
My backpacks are ready, the alarm clock is set.
Happy New Year

MAlgo

Tue (92482) 2021-01-01 13:12

Hej Gert,
Ja, lad os h錬e at det snart vil v鎟e muligt igen at g� rundt i s� travle omr錮er uden at v鎟e bange for at blive smittet. Billedet giver et godt indtryk af gadelivet her mellem bygningerne og de sm� bl� boder. Godt fanget fra et lidt h鴍ere synspunkt. Godt nyt錼!
Lars

jean113 (27895) 2021-01-01 14:51

Hello Gert, so many people! It does make me wonder how countries with such large populations are coping with social distancing amongst other safety measures.
As Beverley has mentioned, when meeting a person on a path, one or both of us would now step aside, but looking at a crowd like this, it would be impossible to move aside.
An excellent pair of shots. In your main post, you have managed quite a high point of view , as you look down on the people.
I like the extra shot with a temple in the background, and the dogs guarding the boat.
Kind regards, Jean.

worldcitizen (16106) 2021-01-01 17:49

Hello Gert,
Happy New Year! It's almost mind-blowing to see so many people in one place, and not a mask in sight. :-) There is a lot going on in this photo, but it all comes together and doesn't seem too busy when I view it as a whole. I like all the blue stalls, and that rickshaw in the middle of the frame. Let's hope for a better year ahead. Take care!

COSTANTINO (116604) 2021-01-01 22:41

Hello dear Gert and have
a nice and happy new year 2021
thanks for sharing this
impressive photo from your
archives ...thanks for
your explanation too...
looking at this photo I am
feeling afraid of the crowd....
covid 19 change our life....
lets hope that the vaccine
will change soon our lives
regards
costantino

GyurMaster (24840) 2021-01-02 8:14

Dear Gert,

Nowadays, everybody is dreaming of going to crowds like this without having to afraid of getting the virus. However I like the main upload, this time I like the WS even better. That would have deserted to be a main upload. Its a fantastic landscape in my view.

Have a nice WE!
Gy.

kasianowak (17676) 2021-01-02 13:16

Hi Gert
A beautifully crowded Indian street. Yes, I do miss that sort of thing but maybe I just miss Asia full stop. I don't exactly miss crowds on London trains while travelling to work. ;-)
I like your photos of groups of people and crowds because you somehow always manage to take them at the right time so everyone and everything is in the right place to make for a pleasing composition. This image is no different.
Once again, wishing you a Happy New Year. In others words a new year without the pandemic.
Best wishes
Kasia
PS. Thank you for your kind critique to my recent upload.
No, I had no idea that building was a funeral parlour! Ah well, I'll just have to crop it to a square... ;-) Should I be surprised that a joyful curio shops is a neighbour of such a business? Probably not, space by the main street comes at a premium, you don't pick and choose...
I picked up the car in Arlanda, drove all the way to Gallo via Ljusdal (E4, 83, E14), then went back to E4 and drove a bit north as far as Hoga Kusten Bridge, then all the way back to Arlanda. Yes, quite a distance, well over 1000 km in less than 4 days.

everlasting (19680) 2021-01-03 0:52

we have become so disciplined in social distancing, that a scene like this looks so irresponsible. But lets hope we can return to some semblance of normality soon and as you say be able to walk freely in a crowd without fear.
This scans very well, with good tonal range and depth.

adramad (73006) 2021-01-03 11:55

Hi Gert.
Amazing how many people can be seen here, in my two trips that I have made to India, I was never surrounded by so many people, I would have felt overwhelmed, I only remember something similar in Benares and it is my worst memory.
Very effective coloring, which highlights the details of the image.
Good management, both in terms of brightness and sharpness.
Very well done. I like it.
Have a good week.
My best wishes for you.
Luis

mcmtanyel (68647) 2021-08-19 13:16

Hello Gert,
I bet you this place is just as crowded in 2021. I like the WS photo, too.
Regards,
MT