Hola Mohalla Celebrating Valour – Ambala-based photographer Maninder Singh Sodhi has been documenting the famous Sikh festival Hola Mohalla for 18 years. The engineer turned photographer learned how to use a camera from his father.” I learned the best photography techniques from him and how he taught me to ‘write with light’, according to Sodhi.
“For me, photography is a natural way to express my love for nature. In a way, I live with pictures. “
Hola Mohalla Celebrating Valour
It was in 1998, when he accompanied his father to the festival, that he took his first photos of the festival. He trained as a mechanical engineer and was then in his 30s. Since then, he said he returns every year to take pictures.
Sikh Nihang Warrior Displaying His Archery Skills During Hola Mohalla Festival At Anandpur Sahib. Punjab, India Stock Photo
The Sikh festival is celebrated every year at Sri Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. It is believed to have been started by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, making it a tradition that dates back to 1701. During the festival, Sikh warriors, called “Nihangs”, take part in mock military exercises.
Below are some of his beautiful photos taken over the years. Some of the former are recorded on film and the latter are on digital cameras where he has experimented with different lenses. He is now raising money to publish the best photos of the past 18 years in a coffee table book next January on Guru Gobind Singh’s 350th birthday.
Although he has shown his pictures in different parts of the country and went to Washington DC in 1999 for an exhibition, he wants to show the evolution of the Sikh festival around the world through his pictures.
Holla Mohalla Celebrating Valour & Glory
“One of the five temporary seats of Sikhism, Anandpur Sahib located in the Ropar district of Punjab is the main place associated with the Hola Mohalla festival. It was here in 1699 that the Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singhji started the Sikh pantheon. There is a magnificent Gurudwara on top of a hill called -Keshgarh Sahib. The river Sutluj flows on the southern side forming a boundary to the beautiful Himalayan islands with a full panoramic view.”
“Archery is an important part of learning for young nihangs. In ancient times, archery was one of the main weapons for hitting a target from a distance. It takes a lot of practice, dedication and discipline to become a good archer. Today it is mainly used as war ceremonial equipment during the festival.”
“Nihang Baljeet Singh showed off his archery skills in 1998. His yellow clothes and antique looking bow and other weapons made me capture this clear sky. Polarizer used on Kodak 400 asa roll film. Camera film.”
Documenting Hola Mohalla
“This one was filmed with a film camera in 1999 during the Tecentenary celebrations of the Khalksa Panth, this horse rider with a Neza (sharp weapon) used to attach tents showed off his fighting skills.”
“In this photo, I tried the ‘investigative’ photography technique. After many unsuccessful attempts, I finally got a shot of an elderly passenger moving.”
“This photo was taken in 2010 and has a history behind it. Nihang Gulzar Singh, who is in his 70s, insisted that I give him the text immediately, which he wanted to take home to them. I told him that I would not be able to give him a copy of his photo, which was what he needed to photograph. I told him that I will send him as soon as he will give me his postal address. I kept my promise but I was not sure if he received it or not. I also did not see him after that day although I often go to the festival and know many heroes. The pink color on his nose and his orange hat are the highlights of the picture.”
Celebrating Hola Mohalla With A Show Of Skills — Google Arts & Culture
“The brave nihangs shot in 2011 is also one of my favorite photos. The two comrades were just chilling, but when they saw me, they were happy to be photographed with their weapons. Their faces lit up considering their age and a childlike desire to be photographed. As the dark clouds approached, their personalities were amazing and inspiring. too much.”
“Called the ‘Holy City of Joy’, Anandpur Sahib is surrounded by small towns and villages. During the three-day festival, the city comes alive as thousands of devotees gather here to pay their respects to the 10th Guru. Devotees who come in cars, vans, tractors, motorcycles are given villagers food from the community kitchen (langar) on the way to the gurudwara.”
“Shot in 2015, I had specially bought an 85mm potarite lens from Nihangs. Here is a fun study of heroes young and old.”
Different Types Of Holi Celebrated Across India
Langar or community kitchens are an important part of Sikh culture. Villages located on both sides of the main roads leading to the gurudwara have temporary arrangements for devotees. Freshly cooked food is served freely with love and devotion and without discrimination based on caste, creed, color and creed. Here, villagers, men, women and youth are seen preparing langar. This was shot with a 10.5mm Nikon fisheye lens.”
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We work with museums, art galleries and private collectors across the UK and internationally. If you would like to know more about our projects and the expertise we can provide please contact us. The glory of Punjab lies in the seasons and their change from one climate to another which makes the culture so rich and lovely. The shivering cold of northern India is certainly not pleasant for the body, but when spring comes, the whole of Punjab shakes with the almost finished wheat harvest and celebrates the beginning of summer with the wonderful event of Hola Mohalla.
Holi And Hola Mohalla Photo Tour
Hola Mohalla is one of the major festivals celebrated by the Sikh community with pride and is estimated to be celebrated almost on the same day as the Hindu festival of Phalgun in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. The tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established this tradition where the fighting strength of his skilled army displayed their skills in swords, warships and the use of their weapons in times of war. The three days of Hola Mohalla are counted as a symbolic distribution of Sikh power over the wicked and a celebration of oneness with God.
At the beginning of this tradition, the renewed wars which were carefully directed by Guru Ji himself, had the purpose of spreading war readiness among his Sikhs and motivating the horses of devoted Sikh men.
Responsibility to protect and save their human values from the attacks of the pious invaders. The city of Sri Anandpur Sahib, historically important as it was the birthplace of the Khalsa Panth, the cremation shrine of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and the capital of the Khalsa Empire led by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. During the three days of Hola Mohalla, the city flourishes under military rule as many followers of the Khalsa sect come to get lost in the divine atmosphere created by the Hola Mohalla festival.
The Nihangs: Sikh Warrior Creed That Evokes Respect And Fear In Equal Measure
The days begin with the arrival of the Sikh Nihangs, the armed forces of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, dressed in the sacred blue of the Sikhs. Nihang Sikhs from all over the world adorn their sacred robes (Baana) with their signature Bunga Dastaar adorned with various hand held weapons. As Hola Mohalla day is celebrated on the same day as Hindu Holi, Gurdwara Sri Anandpur Sahib and
History of hola mohalla in punjabi, hola mohalla
