PHOTO TOUR

The Dance of the Gods - The Mesmerizing Theyyam of Kerala – A Guided Photography Experience led by acclaimed Mentor Dheeraj Paul @ Indian Photo Tours

Kerala

Led by: Dheeraj Paul
Dec. 26, 2024 to Dec. 30, 2024

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Tour price

₹52,999.00 per participant on Double occupancy basis

Special Offer for Sony Alpha users

First Time attendees get *50% off of the above cost. Repeat Photo-Tour participants get *25%

About the tour

A Guided Photography Journey to cover Kerala’s Most Amazing Festival – The Dance of the Gods - Theyyam. The blissful state of Karnataka and Kerala have great wealth of cultural traditions. The celebrations of these traditions is through an array of races, fairs and festivals which can be any photographer’s delight stories. They bring forward ancient myths that speak of gods, goddesses, saints, heroes and demons who once walked through this extremely incredible and inspiring Photo-Journeys.

About - The Dance of the Gods

One of the most special and extraordinary festivals one can witness in Kerala is none other than Theyyam. The word Theyyam literally means ‘God‘ and hence the dance is known as the ‘Dance of Gods‘. Performed by men enacting female roles too by wearing elaborate make-up, intricate headgears and colorful costumes It is unique, powerful and a divine splendour to watch and Shoot - colourful costumes , exotic make-up and hair raising dance moves are the main highlights of Theyyam.

The facial makeup of each artist is so complex that the artist has to lie on the floor for hours while the designs are painted on their faces - we shoot the behind the stage too.. Many of these performances involves dancers walking on hot coal, the sacrifice of a rooster, etc. The colours and lighting can be mind-boggling, feast your ears with the hypnotic chants and rhythmic drumbeats and your eyes with the colourful pageantry involving vigorous dance moves that are any photographer’s dream project !!

Be prepared for erratic sleep hours as many of these festivities run late into the night and even are scheduled in early hours of the morning. We shall have hours of Guided photography shoot sessions covering most intricate of Genres as we travel along the coast to witness the authentic celebrations around Dance of the Gods with Highly acclaimed photo-mentor & Travel Photographer Dheeraj Paul & Indian Photo Tours mentoring team.

Highlights

Tour Schedule:

  • Dates : 26th to 30th of December 2024
  • 5 Days / 4 Nights stay and includes all meals/ Group inland travel to various Theyyam shoot locations/villages.

Group Reporting Timelines:

  • The group reports at Kannur, Kerala on 26th of December 2024 before noon, which is well connected by air, road and rail with major towns of India. The group can take flight out from Kannur international airport on 30th of December 2024 late afternoon. Payyanur/ Payangadi are nearest railway stations for those who are planning to travel by train.

Costs of Guided Photo-Expedition:

  • INR 52,999.00 plus 5% GST per participant on Double occupancy basis Ex-Kannur, Kerala.
  • Inland Travel : Included to various village locations in and around Kannur. Railway station/Airport pick up and drop arrangements are payable on actuals.
  • Special Offer - Sony Users and First Time Photo Tour participants pay INR 26,499 + GST per pax on double occupancy. Costs for Repeat Photo-tour participants will be INR 39,749 + GST per pax on double occupancy. T&C Apply.

How to reach:

The group reports at Kannur, Kerala on 26th of December 2024 before noon, which is well connected by air, road and rail with major towns of India. The group can take flight out from Kannur international airport on 30th of December 2024 late afternoon. Payyanur/ Payangadi are nearest railway stations for those who are planning to travel by train.

If you want to be on this Master Class and need any assistance/information, call Indian Photo Tours at 9910903636 /9811044788 or write to them at events@indianphototours.com.

An exclusive behind the scenes as well as beach shoot session of world famous Kalaripayuttu is planned during sundowner along with many blue hours and sunset shoots. Continuous Critique sessions, guidance, shoot sessions and discussions in an interactive exciting environment.

Photo-Tours Campaign (“campaign”) that are organised by select Photo Tour Vendors and promoted on Sony Alpha community. Before participating, please read the terms and conditions carefully given below. 

  1. Photo-tours happen in various locations across India. In a photo-tour, the attendees are taught photography related skills while they visit a location (like national parks) or an event (like Kumbh mela).
  2. These photo-tours are organised by third party Photo Tour Vendors. Except for providing this facility to Sony alpha Community User, Sony India disclaims all responsibility or liability in connection with these Photo Tours.   
  3. Sony Alpha users will be entitled to get special discount on these photo tours subject to the confirmation of Photo-tours vendors as below:
    • * 50% off for first time user
    • * 25% off for repeat users. 25% discount can be availed once in the first calendar year and twice in every consecutive calendar year
    • * A user can only avail discount twice in a calendar year
  4. Sony Alpha users gets the above discount only if they apply for the Photo Tour from the Alpha community and they have a Sony camera registered in their profile. 
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About Dheeraj Paul (tour leader)

Dheeraj Paul was born in 1974 in Delhi into one of the most well known and respected photography family in India. He has a vast multitude of experience in editorial and advertising photography spanning close to three decades. He is a prominent and acknowledged voice in the contemporary photography community in India with his mentorship influencing new and upcoming photographers. He is also the brand ambassador for Sony Alpha photography and the Founding Director at Indian Photo Tours where he leads guided photo expeditions and masterclass for photo enthusiasts. With a goal to capture moments in daily life, he specialises in people, travel, fine-art, food and architecture photography. Due to his early induction into photography with indoor photography, he is also an expert in indoor lighting setups. He also teaches advanced photography at the AJK Mass Communication and Research Centre at the Jamia Milia Islamia University of Delhi. His diverse experience has made him a widely renowned photographer mentor today. He has been a part of the jury for the International Sony Photography Awards 2014 and 2015. He has also been invited thrice in a row for the International Jury by the Humanity Photo Awards 2009, 2011 and 2013 in China co-organised by UNESCO. His work has been critically and widely acclaimed. He has a wide range of published books including “Around India’s First Table - Dining and entertainment at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, “The Golden Temple- A Gift to Humanity”, “The Art of Indian Cuisine” and many more to his name.