crowded – Son of the Morning Light

Maghrib

April 7, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_1424.jpg — Sri Lankan Muslims pray at sunset, waiting for the announcement that it is time for ifthar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast the faithful of Islam are expected to endure at Ramazan. On Sunday, thousands of Muslims, and well-wishers from other faiths, gathered to eat together at Independence Square, in Colombo, in a show of unity that has come under some strain in recent years as chauvinistic Buddhist elements and a nationalist government conducted a hate campaign against the minority Muslim community that led to outbreaks of violence between 2014 and 2019.

Can We Eat Now?

April 6, 2023April 5, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_1467.jpg — Sri Lankan Muslim women take ifthar at Independence Square, in Colombo. April 2023. Ifthar is the ritual evening meal that ends the sunrise to sunset fast that all Muslims are expected to undertake during the month of Ramazan. On Sunday, thousands of Muslims, and well-wishers from other faiths, gathered to eat together, in a show of unity that has come under some strain in recent years as chauvinistic Buddhist elements and a nationalist government conducted a hate campaign against the minority Muslim community that led to outbreaks of violence between 2014 and 2019.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO5000 • R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Je Suis Muslim

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/img_1460.jpg — Islam in the land of the Buddha. Under an arrogantly fluttering Buddhist flag, against the backdrop of the Independence Memorial Hall, thousands of Sri Lankan Muslims, and well-wishers from other faiths, gather for ifthar, the evening meal that ends the daily fast of Ramazan. As a muezzin chants the azaan of the Maghrib Prayer from the top of the hall’s steps, Muslims take a first bite of food or a sip of water. Palm Sunday, April 2023.

^{• 24mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO5000 • R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Continue reading →

No 13A in Tamil Town

February 20, 2023February 20, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/img_0731.jpg — A busy Friday evening in Pettah, Colombo’s main shopping and market district. January 2023. Interestingly, while the city of Colombo is mostly Tamil-speaking (over 60% of the residents are Tamil or Tamil-speaking Moors), the sign in the foreground prohibiting parking is only in Sinhalese (the majority language of Sri Lanka), reflecting decades of Sinhalese-dominated governance that many believe has contributed to ethnic conflict. The controversial 13th Amendment to the Constitution, passed by Parliament in 1987, legislated that, amongst other things, Tamil be elevated to the status of an official language, alongside Sinhalese, and that all official communications be in both languages. However, more than thirty-five years later, many clauses of the amendment remain unenforced, despite Tamil demands for equal treatment.

^{• 35mm • f/4 • 1/100 • ISO2000 • Canon R6 & RF14-35/4L •}

Evening in Pettah

January 30, 2023January 29, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/img_0652.jpg — Prince and 2nd Cross streets, Pettah. January 2023. If there ever had been a Tintin in Ceylon, this would be the place in one of those large illustrations a la The Calculus Affair or Tintin in Tibet.

^{• 14mm • f/4 • 1/100 • ISO1250 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •}

Vada Time of the Day

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/img_0643.jpg — A food cart on the corner of Prince and 2nd Cross streets sells deep fried snacks of isso vada (a sort of mini pizza topped with prawns), ulundu vada (a black gram bagel), and rotti, to the evening crush in the Colombo market district of Pettah. January 2023.

^{• 35mm • f/4 • 1/125 • ISO1250 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •}

Street Vendor, Maharagama, Sri Lanka

November 29, 2019June 10, 2020 David BlackerLeave a comment

Textile Vendor, Maharagama, Sri Lanka by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com — A vendor sells hand towels on the busy streets of Maharagama, a southeastern suburb of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. April 2018.

Continue reading →

Choosing Mangoes, Manning Market, Pettah

November 26, 2019June 10, 2020 David BlackerLeave a comment

Choosing Mangoes by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com — An elderly businesswoman examines mangoes in Colombo’s largest wholesale produce market; the Manning Market, Pettah, April 2018.

Continue reading →

Sales Across the Tracks

August 13, 2019June 12, 2020 David BlackerLeave a comment

Across the Tracks by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com — Stalls selling clothes and textiles sprawl along the Pamunuwa Road in Maharagama; even spilling onto the railway tracks of the busy Kelani Valley Line which runs from Colombo to Avissawella. The massive textile bazaar that stretches from Maharagama to Pamunuwa is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest centers for cheap clothes and, during the run up to religious festivals, sees a huge number of retail shoppers, in addition to the regular wholesale customers. During these times, space is at a premium, and many small businessmen just run out of space. Sri Lanka, April 2018.

Continue reading →

Shrouded by Sorrow

May 6, 2019June 15, 2020 David BlackerLeave a comment

Hidden by Sorrow, St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade by Son of the Morning Light on 500px.com — The usual view of St Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, from the top of Jampettah Street is almost completely blocked by thousands of black and white streamers — the traditional sign of mourning in Sri Lanka — strung above the street by local residents (licensed to Polaris Images).

Continue reading →