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In West Bengal, the myriad festivities all round the year is a reflection of the inner joy of the city. Right after the Durga Puja celebrations come the coexistence of Kali Puja and Deepavali. These twin revelries reflect the region’s cultural diversity. Kali Puja, a fervent tribute to the formidable goddess Kali, coincides with Diwali, characterized by intricate rituals and the veneration of Kali idols, amid the resonating sounds of fireworks.
On the other hand, Deepavali, known as the Festival of Lights, holds great significance for the Bengali business community. Other strata of the society, down to the less privileged, also take part in this celebration of light with great fervour. It revolves around illuminating oil lamps, or diyas, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. This dual celebration in West Bengal harmoniously bridges tradition and modernity, underscoring the state’s remarkable cultural fusion. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness.
Siddhartha’s journey has by no means been smooth or easy, he is a common man with a routine job, who has struggled in his domestic life. What had begun as only the documentation of his avid travelling and wander lust, underwent many twists of life and fate to become the apex of street genre it is today. Diagnosed with severe eyesight issues and suspected eye cancer, almost put an end to his passion for photography leaving him physically and mentally broken, with no clear path to move ahead, this deep thinking and sensitive man did not stop embracing life with whatever little he had. Being forbidden to get out in bright sun, he continued to take pictures from within his room and in the evening. He fell in love with the old charms of the city anew. He fell in love with something so many of us take for granted, his eyesight.
