Candid Camera: The Big Fat Indian Wedding

Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Moving Image: “I shot this couple by Krishna’s Butterball in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is a curious tourist attraction in the town, about 60 km south of Chennai, and is famous for its stone carvings. I believe that the most important thing to do is to tell the story of the wedding. This is not defined by seconds, but by the overall collection of images. I was trying to define the term ‘Indian Wedding’, and search for the differences and similarities in Indian wedding traditions, while seeking the common essence of this grand, colourful, fantastic celebration. The answer I found is that there is not one thing common to all the weddings in India, other than the fact that they take place in the same country.”

Photographer: Having served in the Israeli army, Sephi Bergerson moved base from New York, Jerusalem, San Francisco and Paris, before finding a home in India. Known for his vivid speaking images that often have a ‘documentary’ feel, the internationally acclaimed lensman enjoys work that lets him explore and push himself further. His photo projects have also addressed cultural and social issues from polio and HIV to rural development and education. He has also captured the various colourful threads that go into the fabric of a big fat Indian wedding.