Thaipusam - Penang, Malaysia
Join Gavin Gough and Matt Brandon as they photograph this visually startling event. Every year 800,000 Hindu Tamil and Chinese devotees of Muruga, the Hindu God of War, gather in Penang to celebrate Thaipusam. On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens) and participating in acts of mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with skewers. We will also be photographing the historic Georgetown, Penang. Georgetown is a UNESCO treasure and a sample of Colonial Asia in a time capsule. Tweet
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Features & Info
What is Thaipusam?
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The festival runs for three days and starts with a chariot procession. Thousands line the streets of Georgetown to see a silver plated chariot containing a statue of Murugan making its way to the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple its temporary home. Many devotees carry pots of milk on their heads as a show of devotion and love to the god. Others carry elaborate frameworks on their shoulders called "kavadis", which have long chains hanging down with hooks at the end which are pushed into their backs. Many of these pilgrims are pierced with two skewers (or 'vels' - symbolic spears); one through the tongue, and one through the cheeks. For the devotees there is a sense of joy and celebration.
What will we be doing?
We will be focusing on telling the many different stories surrounding Thaipusam. Gavin and Matt will arrange opportunities for you to meet with devotees prior to Thaipusam and then follow them throughout the festival days, if you so choose. We will provide you with as close to an insiders look at this festival as possible. After a long day of photographing you will enjoy relaxing in your luxurious old style Malaysian accommodation; the newly renovated Campbell House Hotel. The hotel is situated in the heart of Georgetown's heritage zone. Your time will not be spent only taking photos of Thaipusam. We will also be photographing the historic Georgetown, Penang. Georgetown is a UNESCO treasure and a sample of Colonial Asia in a time capsule. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn the skills of visual storytelling from two working, professional photographers.
What does this Price includes?
Frankly, just about everything!
- ◊ 8 days of personal instruction by Matt & Gavin
- ◊ A private room with queen size bed
- ◊ In hotel wifi
- ◊ Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- ◊ All ground transportation
- ◊ A cell phone to use while on the trip
- ◊ A local SIM card with a limited data plan
- ◊ Local support staff
- ◊ Models for class time
- ◊ Model's fee
- ◊ Prearranged assignments
Matt has an infectious enthusiasm and obviously passion for photography; I want to do my next course/workshop immediately.
~ - Steve McEwan-Lyon
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Your leaders:
Gavin Gough is an independent, freelance travel photographer. Originally from England, Gavin is currently based in Bangkok, Thailand, from where he travels extensively, working on assignment, on commission, creating stock images, writing and teaching.
He has been commissioned by a variety of NGOs, humanitarian and charitable institutions and has completed commissions for organizations as varied as Sony, Vanity Fair magazine and the Vietnamese Tourist Board.
Matt Brandon is a Malaysia based humanitarian and travel photographer, who collaborates with NGOs to tell their stories and to train their field staff to do the same. Well known as a photographer and international workshop instructor, Matt’s images have been used by clients such as Partner Aid International, NeighborWorks, the BBC, Honda Motor Corporation, and Bombadier Transport Corporation, Asian Geographic and others. His photographic pursuits have taken him to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Maldives, Philippines and Malaysia. Matt also is known for teaching presenters how to present their message in the most effective and memorable way. This makes Matt a great teacher to any workshop or classroom. Matt is also on the advisory board for Focus for Humanity and on the design board for Think Tank, a camera bag manufacturer.
