ceremony – Son of the Morning Light

Hewisi Pooja, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy #4

September 23, 2022September 23, 2022 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/3h3a9638e2.jpg — A thammettama drummer plays during a musical ceremony on the lower floor of the temple’s main shrine. The twin thammettama are traditional Sri Lankan drums, played with curved sticks called kadippuwa, in Sinhalese. Hewisi is a form of religious music once reserved for use by Kandyan royal decree. Today, hewisi is still used almost exclusively in Buddhist ceremonies, and is seen as an offering in itself. *Shot on assignment for The New York Times in December 2018.*

^{• 105mm • f/4 • 1/30 • ISO1000 •}

Hewisi Pooja, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy #3

April 1, 2019June 17, 2020 David BlackerLeave a comment

Hewisi Puja, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy #3 by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com — A thammettama drummer plays during a musical ceremony on the lower floor of the temple’s main shrine. The twin thammettama are traditional Sri Lankan drums, played with curved sticks called kadippuwa in Sinhalese. Hewisi is a form of religious music once reserved for use by Kandyan royal decree. Today, hewisi is still used almost exclusively in Buddhist ceremonies, and is seen as an offering in itself. Shot on assignment for The New York Times; specifically for Lucas Peterson’s travel piece, “An Island Nation that is Best Savored Slowly“, which ran in the Frugal Traveler column on 30th January 2019.

Daula Drummer, Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo

March 26, 2018July 6, 2020 David BlackerLeave a comment

Drummers in the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo #3 by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com — December 2017.

Continue reading →

Military Traffic

May 24, 2016 David BlackerLeave a comment

Military Traffic by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com

Military policeman on traffic duty at the funeral of Maj Gen Gratiaen Silva, Borella General Cemetery, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Poppy Sunday, November 2015.

600D+EFS18-200/3.5-5.6+polariser@200mm,1/160,f/5.6ISO100

The New Year Begins

April 14, 2016 David BlackerLeave a comment

Start of the Buddhist & Hindu New Year by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com

A traditional Sri Lankan oil lamp made of brass, or sometimes copper, is lit to celebrate the beginning of the Buddhist and Hindu new year. April 2016.

600D+EF50/1.8II@1/250,f/2.8,ISO800

“I Give a Tenth of All My Income”*

November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 David BlackerLeave a comment

Wap Magula #9 by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com

Offerings being gathered from the congregation during a farmers’ mass held in the paddy fields of Wahakotte, in the Central Highland foothills of the Matale District, Sri Lanka. October, 2015. This unique Sunday morning mass is held once a year before the “Maha” sowing season, to bless the crops. For more about this event and a history of the 16th century Roman Catholic community of Wahakotte, see my article in Serendib Magazine.

600D+EFS24/2.8+polariser@1/250,f/2.8,ISO100

*”I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” — Jesus, in Luke 18:12

Chief Screw

November 13, 2015 David BlackerLeave a comment

Chief Screw by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com

Regimental Sergeant Major of the Military Police at the funeral of Major General Gratiaen Silva, in Colombo, on Remembrance Sunday, 2015. On the right are two Signal Corps NCOs, and in the background is a parade detail of the Armoured Corps.

600D+EFS18-200/3.5-5.6+polariser@160mm,1/125,f/5.6,ISO100

Beating Retreat

October 29, 2013November 4, 2015 David BlackerLeave a comment

Sri Lanka Navy sailors lower the national flag at sundown in a twice-daily ceremony at the Galle Face Green, close to the country’s main harbour and naval base near the Colombo Fort. Galle Face, with its pier and promenade — the latter created during the days of the British Empire — is a popular evening venue for “Colombites”, and the military ceremony known as beating retreat attracts a fair share of curious onlookers. Shot with a Canon EOS 600D and EF 50mm f/1.8 lens at 1/100, f/1.8, and ISO 100.