There is a different kind of magic in the villages of Bengal. It is raw, earthy, and full of stories waiting to be told. Recently, in mid-December, I packed my camera bag and escaped the city noise to find one of these stories. My destination was Mohisbathan, a small village in Raiganj famous for the ancient and powerful Gomira Dance.
Here is the story of that weekend, captured through my lens.
The Journey Begins
We started our journey from Kolkata on the 12th of December. The Radhikapur Express left the platform at 8:40 PM. There is something nostalgic about overnight train journeys-the rhythmic sound of the tracks and the anticipation of waking up in a completely different landscape.
We reached Raiganj station at 6:00 AM. The morning air was crisp and cold. After a quick breakfast to fuel up, we started our drive to the village. Mohisbathan is about 45 kilometers from the main town. By 10:00 AM, we had arrived.
Day 1: The Rhythm of the Village
Entering Mohisbathan feels like stepping into a living art gallery. The first thing that catches your eye is the vibrancy.
We spent the entire day immersing ourselves in their culture. Gomira is not just a dance; it is a devotion. The masks are heavy, carved from wood, and painted with striking colors. But what makes them come alive is the person wearing them.
We watched the lifestyle of the villagers, how they prepare, and finally, the dance performance itself. As a photographer, I wasn't just looking for sharp images; I was trying to capture the energy. The way the dancers move, the dust rising from the ground, and the devotion in their eyes-it was a fantastic experience.
We wrapped up the shoot around 6:30 PM as the light faded. We were back at our hotel by 8:00 PM.
The Photographer’s Night
For us, the work doesn't end when the sun goes down. We sat together, had a warm chit-chat with fellow photographers, and did some quick editing. We reviewed our shots, discussing angles and lighting. But we couldn't stay up late. We had a mission for the next morning.
Day 2: Chasing the Sunrise
The alarm rang at 4:00 AM. It was tough to leave the warm bed, but we had to be on the road by 5:00 AM. Our goal was to reach the village by 6:00 AM to catch the sunrise.
And it was worth it. The early morning light in the village is magical. The soft gold of the sun hitting the fields and the villagers starting their day gave us some incredible frames. We captured the dancers in the open fields, with nature providing the perfect backdrop.
It was a very eventful day, filled with the joy of clicking the shutter and freezing these beautiful moments in time.
Heading Home
On Sunday, it was time to say goodbye. We took the Radhikapur Express again at 9:40 PM, reaching home early the next morning.
Trips like these remind me why I love photography. It is not just about the camera or the lens; it is about the experience. It is about witnessing a culture like Gomira and carrying a piece of it back home with you.
If you ever get the chance to visit Raiganj, do not miss the masks of Mohisbathan.