Durga Pujo niGht-Out

I returned on 3rd of October from Ooty, on the day of Mahashasti. I was really happy to experience a feeling like this, returning to Kolkata on Durga Pujo.

6 of us planned a night out on the next day which was Mahasaptami. By 8 o clock in the evening we headed to hop in and around pandals. Had awesome time having an on-the-road dinner at Azaad Hind dhaba on Ballygunj, clicking photos of unknown faces who eagerly posed for me without hesitating a wee bit, sipping energizing spirits while zooming past the light trails of Pujo decorations at 2 in the morning, having morning tea to keep our eyes open at 5 in the morning at Maddox Square.

When we reached home, I couldn't see anything but the bed and slept till evening or at least till the time I couldn't feel like lying on the bed anymore.

The final showdown

I was thrilled today, because I received my diploma along with 3 individual awards for best images produced throughout the year. The honour was to receive those from the legendary Iqbal Mohamed himself.

When I got critiqued it took only 15 minutes while for others it was more than 30-35 minutes. I was surprised as Mr. Iqbal mostly talked about how I am working, what I am intending to do and how are things going rather than how should I retouch my images for the final portfolio. A little confusing isn't it.

The current session students pulled the show very nicely in the afternoon. Performances, speeches, guest speeches and a final portfolio show-down followed by a High-Tea in the evening.

The last house party was at Anand's place with two-third of our batch's population present.
After I returned to my hotel and laid myself on bed, peacefully, I recalled that it was one of most interesting and amazing years of my life.

Bye, bye Ooty......