Palms Sunday in Notre Dame de France (London UK)

The French Parish of Notre Dame de France in London is strategically located in Soho, just around Leicester square. I came across Palms Sunday celebration last year and saw they have a very colour procession around the square as part of the celebration.

I made sure to go back this year, working on my soul but also bringing two camera’s.

There is a certain contrast with between entertainment character of the area and a religious celebration, but well, God is everywhere.

A part from the parish members are from African origins and they bring a certain quality of joy and energy in the procession.

Once again the strong contrast between sacred and profane.

Red lanterns in sight

Going back to the church we can see Chinatown, this is really a celebration of diversity.

It is messy when everybody goes back into the church at the same time.

The choir leader.

All shots with Leica M262 and Summicron 35mm Asph vII, except the last shot with Summicron 50mm v5.

For those into music like me, the Sex Pistols played in the Church hall in 1976 and even a second time in 1977, for what I read was the first concert of Sid Vicious.

But also The Clash apparently played there in 1979:

( http://www.blackmarketclash.co.uk/Pages/Gigs/The%20Clash/1979-The-Clash-Live/1979%20gigs/79-07-05_Notre%20Dame/79-07-05_Notre%20Dame.html )

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THAIPUSAM 2020

As per my recent post Saturday was Thaipusam ; Thaipusam is a Hindu ceremony to honor the lord Ram. In Singapore devotee carry burdens and pierce their flesh and walk a 4 km  procession to thank the god or ask for a wish to be granted. Most devotees do it every year.I was loosely leading a small group of buddy photographers this year as Thaipusam is a great photography opportunity. Participants are very open, there are colors, action and emotions.

The procession has started at 7pm last night, and when we get at Farrer park MRT devotees are already walking along Sernagoon road, pulling or carrying their burden.

The most interesting part for me is getting inside the temple and assisting to the preparations.

The devotee above will carry a Kavadi.

The preparation starts with offerings as above.

Kavadi carriers often have chains or pots attached to their flesh , or spears as below.

Other devotees like the group below are carrying posts of milk along the pilgrimage road,

This guys is fainting of having trance.

This is the second year I see the man below.

After the Kavadi is set-up the cheeks and tong are pierced.

Under a shower of flowers he is ready to go

You can see fire, smoke and photographers (my friend Matte above)

Pain

Each devotee is accompanied by friends and family, giving a warm atmosphere of community, support, friendship.

Pots of milk

Prayer

A prayer to the gods before stepping our for the procession

The god

On the way out many of the Kavadi bearers will dance before leaving the temple. This is a very impressive feat, I tried to capture this using a slow shutter speed.

 

Young Kavadi bearer …

With Monkey God effigy. In multicultural Singapore the Monkey God and Hanuman are often associated.

The group below is one of the two groups of Chinese devotees I met over the years.

I was able to show them a picture of 2013.

Below is the other Chinese Kavadi bearer.

Thaipusam is a great opportunity to take pictures of members of the public as below.

Finally I got to Tank road temple for a few last picture. This is a great place to see the devotees getting rid of their Kavadi and piercings.

And for a final picture this man finally arrived looking grateful to his big friend (very big) who is taking care of him.

All these shots with Leica M262 and either Summilux 50mm v2, Summicron 35mm Asph v2, Elmarit 90mm F2.8 Oh I also had the M6 body and shot 2 rolls ; be ready for another post next week.