Fort Kochi is an area in Kochi, Kerala. It is the most popular tourist place in the city. The biggest event at Fort Kochi is the Cochin Carnival, which begins in December and concludes on January 1.
Cochin Carnival is a Christian event which traces its origin to the Portuguese era, when new year was celebrated in a grand manner. Kochi was known as Cochin / Cochim during those days. The Portuguese ruled this region during the 16th and 17th centuries, with Fort Kochi as their capital. After the Portuguese left India, the new year celebrations in the city faded and eventually, stopped.
The new year festivities were revived in 1984 by 3 youngsters from Kochi (then Cochin). This tradition continues till date and has become known as Cochin Carnival.
In the days leading up to new year, music concerts are held. At the stroke of midnight on new year, the effigy of an old man called Papanhi is burnt. In Portuguese, "papanhi" means "old man". The burning of Papanhi represents the end of previous year and the birth of new year.
This blog contains 21 photos shot in Kochi.
All photos © S Srikant.
Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.
Cochin Carnival is a Christian event which traces its origin to the Portuguese era, when new year was celebrated in a grand manner. Kochi was known as Cochin / Cochim during those days. The Portuguese ruled this region during the 16th and 17th centuries, with Fort Kochi as their capital. After the Portuguese left India, the new year celebrations in the city faded and eventually, stopped.
The new year festivities were revived in 1984 by 3 youngsters from Kochi (then Cochin). This tradition continues till date and has become known as Cochin Carnival.
In the days leading up to new year, music concerts are held. At the stroke of midnight on new year, the effigy of an old man called Papanhi is burnt. In Portuguese, "papanhi" means "old man". The burning of Papanhi represents the end of previous year and the birth of new year.
This blog contains 21 photos shot in Kochi.
Location : Ernakulam District, Kerala.
Photos shot in December 2019 & January 2020.
Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.
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| Audience relishes the vibes during a musical concert, part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi. |
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| A drummer in action during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| An artiste sways during a musical concert, part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi. |
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| The crowd enjoys the occasion during a concert, as part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi. |
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| A singer fires a flame gun projector during her concert, during Cochin Carnival, in Kochi. |
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| The crowd enjoys the occasion during a concert, as part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi. |
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| The crowd enjoys the occasion during a concert, as part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi. |
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| Police personnel on duty pose for a picture before the effigy of an old man known as Papanhi, half an hour before the stroke of midnight, on new year's eve in Kochi. |
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| Crackers are burst at midnight as 2020 bids farewell to 2019, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| The effigy of Papanhi burns past midnight on January 1 in Kochi. The burning of Papanhi during Cochin Carnival represents the end of previous year and the birth of new year. |
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| Revellers celebrate new year during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| Fireworks during new year celebrations during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| Unruly men take control of the concert stage as celebrations go out of hand, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| A caparisoned elephant at the start of the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| Karagattam dancers during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| Members of the new year day procession dressed as Hindu deities, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| A member of the new year day procession dressed as Kali, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| The winner of Trans Queen Kerala, a beauty contest for transgenders, waves to people during the Cochin Carnival new year day procession in Kochi. |
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| Artistes perfoming chenda melam during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| Artistes perfoming kolkali during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
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| Panchavadyam, an orchestra of five instruments native to Kerala, in action during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi. |
