A Moonlit Trilogy : Sanjay Kumar Captures Nature’s Poetic Hues in Patna

PATNA (RAJESH THAKUR) : On the Chaturdashi of Vaishakh, the moon draped the sky in a cotton-white veil, radiating serene purity, as if nature were humming a lullaby of peace. The very next night, on Buddha Purnima, the same moon glowed in a vibrant, fiery red, as though it had absorbed Buddha’s compassion to shower upon the earth. And now, on the Prathama (Fitst Date) of Jeth hindi month, this celestial wanderer appears drenched in the golden hue of turmeric, as if it stole the sun’s radiance to cradle in its embrace. These three ethereal forms of the moon have been captured by the deft lens of Sanjay Kumar, a senior officer of the Indian Information Service, whose camera not only frames nature’s beauty but weaves its poetic essence into timeless art.

Sanjay Kumar, fondly known as the ‘Sparrow Man,’ is more than an adept officer or masterful photographer- he is a true devotee of nature and spirituality. His photographs do not merely capture the moon’s changing hues; they seize its emotions. The white moon of Chaturdashi symbolized tranquility, like a sage lost in meditation. The red moon of Buddha Purnima gazed upon the earth, bearing messages of love and compassion. And now, the turmeric-hued moon of Jeth’s Prathama stands radiant with the warmth of life, brimming with enthusiasm and the promise of new beginnings, as if whispering that every night brings a new shade, a new story.

These images are not just a journey of the moon but a tale of the profound bond between nature and the human soul. In Sanjay’s photographs, each hue of the moon is a philosophy – the white moon embodies peace, the red moon radiates love, and the turmeric moon celebrates life’s vibrancy. Taken from the terrace of his home in Patna’s Kankarbagh, these images immortalize not just the moon but the fleeting emotions it evokes over time. His art reminds us that every color, every form of nature, mirrors the journey within us.

Hailing from Bhagalpur, Bihar, and born in Ara, Sanjay Kumar has left an indelible mark in journalism, literature, and environmental conservation. His 16 published books, including I Am Still Alive… Sparrow, O Ri Sparrow, and Come, Sparrow, dedicated to sparrow conservation, are a testament to his commitment to social causes. Honored multiple times by the Bihar Government for his efforts in sparrow conservation, Sanjay has captured over 10,000 photographs of birds, particularly sparrows. Yet, this new trilogy, three shades of the moon, has sparked a sensation on social media.

On this Prathama night of Jeth, as the moon glows in its turmeric splendor, let us immerse ourselves in nature’s magic. Sanjay Kumar’s photographs teach us that just as the moon dons a new hue each night, we too must embrace each day with fresh inspiration and zeal. This moon, its colors, and this art beckon us come, embrace the shades of life and become one with nature. (Report translated by XAI).