Sunday, February 20, 2011

Japaloupee Equestrian Center !!!

I keep visiting my hometown once a month. so, after visiting my hometown for Uttrayan (13th to 16th Jan), I was to visit it on 12th and 13th Feb just for a weekend. But, then I got a chance to shoot something different which I have never clicked - some events on horseback. Yes, I got a chance to officially shoot annual Equestrian games at "Japalouppe Equestrian Center" at Talegaon (www.japalouppe.net) which is around 40 kms from Pune. I canceled my trip to Surat and went for the shoot.

It was a whole different experience. I have never done sports or motion or panning photography before and this was my first trial. There were events like horse relay race and horse jumping. The most surprising thing of the event was there were some participants who were just 7-8 years old boys and girls.
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A young rider waits for his turn with his horse !!!
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Horse relay race !!!
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Horse relay race !!!
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Horse lands after jumping over hurdle !!!
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In the air !!!
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Organizers prepare for the event !!!
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Foot wears of riders !!!
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Panning shot of a running horse !!!
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Winner runs during winning lap !!!
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Monday, February 7, 2011

Uttrayan / Makar Sankranti 2011 !!!

My favorite festival - I just love this festival since my childhood days. I think I have spent my childhood doing only two things - flew kites and played cricket. This festival is celebrated on 14th January every year and I do very well remember that I used to fly kites since the month of August (of course whenever there was no rain) and kept flying till mid February.

I missed these festivals twice when I was in Kanpur before I traveled for total 22 hours just to be at my hometown for 15 hours last year. But this time, It was totally different. I planned to be there on 14th morning and was about to be there till 16th night. I was there till 16th night, but I left Pune on 12th January (one day before scheduled departure) just to capture the atmosphere which can be seen in Surat city (specially Dabgarwad, Moti Talkies and Rander) on 13th night. I covered two happening areas i.e. Dabgarwad and Moti talkies of Surat on 13th January !!!
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Kite shop at Dabgarwad !!!
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Customers at Kite shop !!!
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A Worker processes thread - called "Maanja" !!!
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Rush at kite shop, Dabgwarwad !!!
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Shop owner shows a variety of kite, Dabgwarwad !!!
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A worker processes raw thread !!!
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A worker sits at shop during Maanja preparation !!!
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A worker winds processed Maanja !!!
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Charkhis !!!
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Rush at Dabgwarwad on 13th night !!!
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Rush at Moti Talkies Road on 13th night !!!
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Boys fly kites on 14th January !!!
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The moon and a kite !!!
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Boys fly white kites at night !!!
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