Portraits from Mizoram
A decade ago I witnessed the amazing culture of Mizoram at a festival and took some photos. Presenting some photos here once again: Chapchar Kut is the harvest festival celebrated … Continue reading
Dhunuchi Dance – Bengal
This dance is performed in honor of Durga in Bengal. This solo dance is performed before the deity and the movement of hands and feet follows the beat of the … Continue reading
Santhal Folk Dance, Bengal
Seen in Murshidabad during Durga Puja 2022 As usual, tribal culture is inclusive – every individual is invited to participate – irrespective of any segregating parameter of age, marital status … Continue reading
Navratri Garba Dances
A little culture from my own life! Navratri is a festival of 9 nights in honor of Durga or Amba that is celebrated with dances in Gujarat. Gujjus love this … Continue reading
Ceremonial Tibetan Dance at Dring Ri
A small video clip of a ritual dance at Dring Ri near Shigatse in Tibet. Note the headdress of the women: A similar old headdress with coral, turquoise unusual … Continue reading
Memories of Nagaland
The wealth of one’s life is the memories we collect – for only these can travel with us everywhere and be summoned at a moment’s notice to light up our … Continue reading
The Bonona Festival of the Himalayan Aryans
October 2016 A trip to the interiors of the Himalayan ranges. A journey that would have taken 6 days by animal carriers 40 years ago but today takes 7 hours. … Continue reading
Shigmo Utsav Festival 2017 Goa
Connected to our roots through the amazing Shigmo folk festival parade in Panaji. Proud of all the regular people participating so wholeheartedly in this parade Proud of the absence of … Continue reading
The Land of the Sufi
Istanbul – almost exactly a year ago, I spent almost every evening eating at a small place near Topkapi palace. It was an open air restaurant with a basic menu … Continue reading
Lambanis Celebrating Life – Festive Dance
Ceremonial Dance of the Lambani group
Soul on Fire – The Passion of a Bhopa
PRELUDE Excerpt from an article* I wrote for Jozan Magazine about the Art of the Phad. The shortest way to describe the Phad is ‘a devotional mural storyboard painted on … Continue reading
Dances of the Dard Aryan People
The morning after we arrived, the village gathered together to arrange a small celebration. After several cups of butter tea and sweet tea with biscuits everyone helped each other to … Continue reading
Navratri – the Festival of Garba and Raas Dance
With the Full Moon night of this lunar month, the season of festivals begins in India. The festival phase of the year coincide with the lean activity phases in farming … Continue reading
Dancing to the Drums of Ryukyu
The folk dance of the historical Ryukyu kingdom, traditionally performed before the King & Queen, reenacted on a smaller scale. Many photos have been included of the various steps hoping … Continue reading
Tribal Life in Orissa – a tribute!
I was in Orissa in January and the month of May is about to end, and yet the tribal life that I experienced there remains unshared on this blog. … Continue reading
Kalinga Diaries
Kalinga. Now called Odisha (Orissa). The poorest state in India financially. Yet, among the richest states culturally. Every Indian has heard of Orissa through its arts – either the dance, … Continue reading
The Classic Indian Village Fair – Gogunda mela
Not a single tourist present besides me. No Indian tourist. No foreign tourist.No men tourists. No women tourists. ONLY locals. ONLY villagers. And me. This is simply not a place … Continue reading
Gangaur Festival
A festival of devotion and of celebration of love. Shiva and Parvati are the epitome of love in Hindu mythology and this is one of the stories about their love. … Continue reading
Puppets & Puppeteers of Nagaur Rajasthan
An old folk saying “We are only puppets, our strings are being pulled by unknown forces” This is an article about puppets – from a place that is famous for … Continue reading
Latest Photography Galleries – May 2012
Photo galleries added to JainaMishra.com recently have been linked below: May 2012 PORTRAITS – MANGANIYAR MUSICIAN TRIBE OF RAJASTHAN PORTRAITS – GARASIA TRIBE OF RAJASTHAN PORTRAITS – TURBANS PORTRAITS – … Continue reading
Mewar Diaries
Rajasthan needs no introduction. Colors flood my senses from the moment I drive into the city of Udaipur from the airport late in the evening. After stopping to pick up … Continue reading
