When opposites collide, it results in conflict and hostility. In their embrace, there is love and friendship.
The law of creation is nothing else but a dance of celebration!
Mount Merapi, is the most active volcano in Indonesia, with a history of regular eruption since 1548. It last erupted on 25 October 2010, causing a large scale devastation for kilometers around it. It is located at 28 kilometers north of Yogyakarta and thousands of people live in villages very close to the mountain.
Mankind and nature can be seen in a state of conflict and embrace. Time and again, the energy from volcanic eruptions continues to destroy the region. When the going gets tough, the villagers abandon their homes for shelters far away. However it is the eruption that also provides fertility as well as minerals, creating a wealth of earning opportunity for the villagers. Like a magnet, when the eruption subsides, the villagers return to the region.
Living at the edge, they embrace the volcano.
At Boko temple, I witnessed the dance of celebration, with the villagers having painted their face with volcanic ash. It is their way of paying respect to the volcano and embracing it in totality, for it’s destructive and generative powers.
Below is the photos series of the Boko Temple dancers, living at the edge of the volcano.
Comments(18)
Mohindra Chadha says:
October 23, 2013 at 12:39 AMIncredible indeed!
Mandeep Singh says:
October 23, 2013 at 11:53 AMosm work….. loved it…. 🙂
Karamjeet Singh says:
October 23, 2013 at 7:42 PMYou have very nicely conceptualized ‘harmony with nature’ and acceptance through rejoicing.Man has been pillaging the nature through deforestations,smoke,nuclear waste and what not.We need to learn from these Boko temple Dancers.Thanks Amardeep for picturizing a subject of vital human Significance.kjs
dipikasen says:
October 25, 2013 at 4:09 PMjust awesome…in sink with fury of nature
Sheraz Mushtaq says:
January 6, 2014 at 2:57 PMI love your work and processing.
Please visit my website too.
Mohindra Chadha says:
November 11, 2014 at 1:56 PMDear Amardeep,
I have seen this set of photographs earlier and admired the same.
What I am waiting for is your impressions from your recent visit to Pakistan. Please send me your experiences, comments and episodes from this recent visit.
Your picture-essay from the Pakistan visit can follow.
Fond regards,
Chadha uncle
Geetali says:
November 11, 2014 at 2:28 PMAmazing series as always. I enjoy seeing your pictures not only because they are so visually rich, but also because I learn something new each time I visit your site.
Thank you.
Dhruv says:
November 11, 2014 at 2:31 PMBrilliant Brilliant Brilliant ………..
Dr muktinder singh says:
November 11, 2014 at 3:04 PMIn Jaap sahib GUru Gobind Singh ji has versed Namo kaal kaale, Namo sarab paale
Arnab Saha says:
November 11, 2014 at 7:58 PMAwesome! Thank you Amardeep.
Milton D'Silva says:
November 11, 2014 at 7:59 PMYet another amazing feature…thanks Amardeep Singh
Geetali Tare says:
November 11, 2014 at 7:59 PMAmardeep is such an insightful artiste.
Denise James says:
November 11, 2014 at 8:01 PMWow Amardeep Singh just beautiful. Love the shades and eyes. Just amazing contrast and story.
Hardeep Singh says:
November 11, 2014 at 8:01 PMAmazing stories of hope even in situations of despair.Love your work!
Surupa Chatterjee says:
November 12, 2014 at 12:48 AMWorth the wait after the hiatus….what interesting stories, people , nature and their relationships you capture…wonderful harmony of man and nature…..you have left me with many questions….
kishore kumar biswas says:
November 16, 2014 at 5:15 PMHuman kind once know to live in harmony with the nature. The fury and affection of nature were known to us.Then our life was in harmony with the nature.
The more our civilization became mechanical the more it went away far from nature. In a frenzied idea of development it ignored and violated the peace and existence of Nature.
Some groups of human being are still there whose life is bonded with nature. Specially the ‘ tribal ‘ groups are still in love with nature. They love and fear the Nature. Nature is part of their life.
Amardeep with his inquisitiveness to know the vividness of human race and the world always tries to find the beauty and truth of life . Here he presents the life of a group of people in Indonesia who are bonded with a ” Volcano “. It takes something away from them , it returns back again something to them. Both are co existed in Peace.
Amarddep with his lucid notes and magnificent pictures made the story living.
amarjeet kaur says:
November 18, 2014 at 6:59 PMAmardeep,awesome…..Every time I find a new story with new faces and a about a different Culture . How you go such different places and interact with them to get a new picture story .Its really a brave can do.The pictures of these people show a different confidence in their eyes either elders or younger. Without seeing these pictures one can’t imagine the appearance of these people and their acts…………THANKS a lot…..
Shalini says:
June 18, 2017 at 2:33 PMThis is something incredible where the rhythm of celebration keeps mankind in tune with the nature and thus creating an affect of mysticism, hope,and a never say never tune floating in the air. This song of confidence coexists with harmony.