Radh Utsav Photo Expedition

Attention Photographers!

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all the passionate photographers who want to add value to their clicks, create the story and document a cultural gathering. This is an opportunity to explore the charm of photo documentation…!!! Come join us at the VIBGYOR Rarh Utsav Photo Documentation.

We are seeking passionate and talented photographers to document the upcoming Rarh Utsav at the Kenduli, Jaydeb in West Bengal, taking place in March 2024.

About the Rarh Utsab: Rarh Utsab is a vibrant cultural festival dedicated to reviving and preserving the rare cultural heritage of the Radha region. Held in Jaydev, Kenduli, Birbhum, West Bengal, the festival aims to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Raj and unite cultural enthusiasts, artists, and organizations toward this noble cause.

The Rahra Region, encompassing parts of Jharkhand including Purulia, Bankura, Medinipur, Birbhum, Burdwan, Hooghly, and sections of Murshidabad districts, is steeped in history, resonating with the footsteps of countless generations. The region's cultural tapestry is diverse, nurtured by the coexistence of numerous small communities.

Even today, traces of the ancient Indus Civilization linger in the valleys of Ajay and Damodar, bearing witness to the enduring practices and evolution of religion, politics, commerce, culture, oral literature, and art over millennia. Despite the Bengal Renaissance focusing on the arts and literature of specific regions, the broader cultural trend of this expansive territory remains characterized by fragmented cultures of smaller regions. The collective culture of Bengal often overlooked the overall cultural richness of the Dhatri Bhumi region.

The primary objective of celebrating Radha Utsav is to converge the various streams of creativity derived from life itself. It serves as a platform for harmonizing life with life, fostering unity and appreciation for the diverse cultural heritage that defines the Radha region. Through music, dance, art, literature, and various other forms of expression, Rarh Utsab encapsulates the spirit of cultural revival and communal celebration, inviting individuals from all walks of life to partake in its vibrant festivities.

Details of the Photo Documentation Tour

Venue: Jaydeb Kenduli, West Bengal

Dates: 8th March 2024 till 10th March 2024

Timing: whole day & night

Tour Charges: 1,500 INR per head (for 3 days)

Seats: strictly limited to 10

Organised by: VIBGYOR

Inclusion:

The registration fee includes the following for all the three days:

1. Food (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner only)

2. Overnight Stay (Rural set up on sharing basis). Please note, irrespective of the fact if there is any group booking, this festival holds a strict rule to keep stay options for male and female separately. The same is applicable for even spouse.

3. Special ID Pass for access all across the corners of the festival

Exclusion:

The registration fee does not include the following for all the three days:

1. Any commute charges. Please check how to reach the venue mentioned below.

2. Any personal medicine. Basic medical first aids will be available from the festival authorities

3. Any personal expenses in food and lodging if opted for.

4. Camera and accessory rental charges

What We Are Looking For:

• Enthusiastic      photographers with a keen eye for detail and a passion for capturing      cultural moments.
• Experience      in digital photography and familiarity with Indian festivals and folklore.
• A      strong understanding of lighting, composition, and storytelling      through photography.
• Ability      to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• High-quality      camera equipment and editing skills.
• Keen interest in Folklore of Bengal

Benefits:

• All      participating photographers will receive an appreciation certificate for      their work.
• Opportunity      to gain exposure to a wider audience and showcase your talent.
• Be      part of a team documenting a significant cultural event.
• On      successfully submitting the edited images, VIBGYOR promises to fund the      trip partially and refund the photographer with 500 INR. T&C apply.

Selection Process:

Interested photographers should submit their portfolio and a brief statement of interest to vibgyorfob@gmail.com. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. On approval, they may pay the fees and register for the session.

T&C:

1. There is no room for spot registration. Advance payment is mandatory

2. For occasion if a participant is available for partial time/days for the 3 day tour, still he may register. However, there will be no change in the registration fees.

3. Code of conduct is the prime most important factor in this tour. We expect you to be courteous and generous to all the festival committee members and the participating artists.

4. Photo documentation is a product of shear patience. So ensure to have them in abundance.

5. There will be multiple activities running parallelly across the venue. There will be a local coordinator who will guide you for which one to opt for. The idea is to ensure, everyone gets a fair chance, and also, at one point, there is no much clutter at a single point. So, please make sure, this cooperation is maintained.

6. Please do carry your belongings as limited as possible. The locker facility may not be available; however, we will ensure all belongings to be locked in the safe room. So, make sure, you do not carry any valuables except your camera, which, we don’t want you to leave you at any point of time across the three days.

7. The nights are chilling, so, please ensure you carry some warm clothes for safer trip.

8. After the event, before leaving the venue, please ensure, you dump all the photos (RAW/unedited JPEG) to the local coordinator’s laptop.

9. Furthermore, within a timeline of 10 working days (exact date will be notified), you need to share minimum 20 edited images from each day of the festival. Image submission guidelines are mentioned below.

10. On successfully completing the above 2 tasks, VIBGYOR will share you a Thank You note by sponsoring 500 INR of your tour, and refund the amount to your bank.

Don't miss this chance to be a part of something special! We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Reach:

The nearest stations to Joydeb Kenduli are Durgapur and Bolpur. Direct buses from both Bolpur and Durgapur provide convenient transportation to Joydeb Kenduli, ensuring easy access for visitors and attendees of the cultural festival.

Detailed travel information will be communicated only to the registered participants.