Showing posts with label The Chattri Memorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Chattri Memorial. Show all posts

Sunday, 19 October 2008

Red Earth at Chattri

This lovely day started with a walk at Devil's Dyke.









Afternoon, one wistful doggie looking on while we had our lunch...



After lunch we happened to walk past a church that advertised on the street: "Come and have a look at a beautiful Grade I listed building". So we did.



Clearly a place to go back to with a tripod!



At 5 PM we were on our way back to The Chattri Memorial...



... and arrived a few minutes later to see what Red Earth were going to do there today. First, some random people (it seemed) laid handmade candle holders around the poppy wreaths.



Apparently Red Earth were "activating the chattri", or something.... ;-)
(Two men are blowing into seashells in this photo.)



We were all to take part, not just watch. So there was walking around the chattri...



...lots of banging and bashing with cymbals...



...and hokus pokus...



They even had horns.



A random participant.



Then, singer Nina Virdee was led to the chattri through an alley of fire.



There she is, singing.



A statuesque hand held in the air.



Then, there was some more percussion action...



...which was followed by a travelling bright light!



...and next, the whole site was ablaze!



I don't do the "sacred ritual" justice with my commentary, but I'm afraid I can't, as I have never experienced anything supernatural in my life, and that includes whatever supernatural things are taught by any religion in the world, as well as any "unregistered" spiritualisms. Nevertheless, this Red Earth installation/ritual was very enjoyable to see and experience. Lucky we decided to go and see The Chattri this weekend!

Saturday, 18 October 2008

The Chattri Memorial

The Chattri Memorial is a place that we have been meaning to visit for months, but haven't. Until today. The site is on a hill, away from any roads, and can only be reached on foot across fields. We meant to arrive there in time for sunset but were a little late. As we were approaching the site, we saw some smoke and quite a lot of people who were just starting to head back from The Chattri. When we asked what was going on, we found out that Red Earth had just had a gig there, as part of the Brighton Festival of World Sacred Music (of which I have never heard until now). The sun was rapidly going down and the light with it, so we took a few shots and decided to go back tomorrow.