International Kite Festival 2012

Similar to last 3 years this year too we had International Kite Festival 2012 at Mangalore. It was held on 21st & 22nd January 2012. I went on Sunday to photograph these colorful kites.

International Kite Festival 2012

Compared to last 3 years variety of kites this year were less. But the show was better organized this year. Thousands of families were there enjoying the International Kite Festival on Panambur beach. While the kites of different shapes and sizes flew high resembling the aspirations of the hands flying them, Panambur beach took a look of a gala fair.

International Kite Festival 2012

To cater to the flowing crowd, several shops had come up. While some plush make-shift restaurants flaunted cozy couches served hot, creamy coffee, sandwiches and burgers. There were couple of ice cream stalls helping the crowd to beat the heat. Rest of the smaller shacks sold sugar cane juice, Gobi Manchurian, Kebab, biriyani and there was even a shop selling masala powders. Local puffed rice Churmuri and groundnut vendors were busy calling on their potential customers, making brisk business during the festival.

International Kite Festival 2012

Kite enthusiasts from seven countries participated in the competitions. Other countries participating in the kite festival were England, South Korea, Netherlands, Lebanon, Kuwait, Indonesia and France.

International Kite Festival 2012

The Indian kites nicknamed ‘Kathakkali’ were among the largest kites flown in the skies while the kites flown by the Kuwaiti team were the most striking with two fishes and tiger models.

International Kite Festival 2012

Other extremely eye catching kite was that flown by the Lebanon team of Rami Al Khal and Sami Sayegh. The duo’s two duck kites, one black and another white was appreciated a lot by the crowds. Rami is visiting India for the sixth time. He praised the organizers Team Mangalore for a well organized show.

International Kite Festival 2012

One kite flyer from the Netherlands called Otto was observed flying a kite from his latest edition Beautiful People. He informed that this edition comprises of a series of kites that are two metres wide and 3.8 metres long. The kites carry the faces of people close to him and have their favorite color. “The 25-metre tail is made of Indian cotton”, informed Otto.

International Kite Festival 2012

Another ardent kite flier March Herzog, a member of Manja Club of France, had brought three kites one of which was a unique one captioned Revolution to the fest. This is Herzog’s third trip to the city and he says he likes the people here. With regard to flying kites in Mangalore skies, he opined ‘What is more important is the steady wind which is favorable for kite flying.’

International Kite Festival 2012

Not to be left behind even an Indian Asst. Professor in Engineering from NITK Surathkal, Prithviraj Umesh hit the Panambur skies with his inventive kite with an attached camera. He named his labor of love Mugila Kannu (eye of the sky). His 12 megapixel compact camera can catch images from a distance of 1.5 km.

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

International Kite Festival 2012

Mudbath

My home town Moodabidri hosted its 10th annual buffalo race also called Kambala at Kadalakere Nisargadhama on Saturday January 21. The Kambala or the buffalo race is unique to Udupi & Mangalore districts.

Mudbath

Historically Kambala was the event when farmers paid tribute to their gods for protecting their crops. There used to be lot of celebration and games as part of this festive atmosphere. Some say Kambala also marked the beginning of sowing operations for the second round of crops. Traditionally, there were two types of Kambalas, Pookere Kambala and Bale Kambala. Pookere Kambala is the only variety which survives now.

Mudbath

Kambala is traditionally a simple sport. The Kambala track used for muddy field filled with slush. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, controlled by a racer.

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Kambala today has become an organized, professional sports. People place massive amounts of bets on the winning buffaloes and one can witness more than 20,000 spectators in a well organized Kambala, egging and cheering the buffaloes to complete the race. As of now, more than 45 races are held annually in Coastal Karnataka. Nearly 18 Kambalas are held under the banner of Kambala Samithi and the rest are held under the auspices of temples, political patronage and aristocratic Bunt households. Kambala still remains a hugely popular sport in Coastal Karnataka.

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Being the 10th year this large rain water fed track was to witness record number of 200 pairs of Water Buffaloes. On that Saturday huge crowd had gathered to witness this folk sports. I was able to reach the venue only in the late evening and for 2 hours I took the pictures you see here. Nearing Sunset is best time in my opinion for shooting Kambala. Later most of the light will be from the overhead halogen lamps which light up the whole Kambala venue.

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

I used my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM fitted to Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. This one lens & body combo is so perfectly matched for the low light situation and fast action sports. All the photos here are taken at f/2.8, shutter speed at 1/500th of second. ISO was kept on Auto and varied with light condition.

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Kambala races take place in several different categories.

• Negilu: The runner will hold the plough ( it is not actual plough which is heavy and bulky, it is just a representation of which is tied to pair of buffalo. This type is mostly for the Junior buffaloes or entry level buffaloes. But there is again a junior , senior rounds in this race.
• Hagga : A rope is directly tied to the buffalo pair. And this is for Senior buffaloes as the speed is more here and the participating buffaloes are well experienced. This also has a Junior, senior levels.
• Adda halage : A cross wooden plank is tied to the pair and the runner stands on it while racing. This is just for the senior category.
• Kane halage: A round wooden block where the runner stands on it on his single leg. There will be two holes in the block out of which the water forces out while running. The height of the water forcing out is measured to choose the winner. The more the speed is more the water height is. And this is only for senior most category.

Kene Halage

Kene Halage and Adda Halage are 2 forms of the race which has very few contestants participating and is a vanishing from most Kambala races. Fortunately on this race we had 5-6 participants from both category. All the extreme water splashed photos you see here are from that category of race.

There is no fixed rule for size of the track which mostly depends on the availability of the space on the locality. Normally it is between 120 meters to 145 meters long and 8-12 meters wide. There is a thick layer of mud and then water on it. The thumb rule is water is filled in the track so that it completely contains about a feet deep mud. The tracks are called by name so it is easy for communication. In the middle of the track there are two strips of white cloth tied across the track which are used as height measurements for Kane halage races. One gauge is at 9.375 meters which is the highest and the other one is at 8.125 meters. This year 8.125 meter mark was breached after a long time, You can see this in the last but one photo here.

Kene Halage

Kambala is conducted in several parts of two districts Udupi and Mangalore from November to March. It is conducted always on a weekend so that it is possible for most spectators as well as participants all the Kambalas. The race starts usually Saturday morning and goes on all night and finishes Sunday afternoon. The final winners will be rewarded by the officials during the Kambala closing ceremony conducted in Sunday afternoon. It is watched by, on an average 20,000 spectators in a day.

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Kene Halage

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

It is a hit among the tourists and lot of people from different part of city, country travel to see this race. My good friend dynamic realist artist Abbey Walmsley from England was there for this Kambala to photograph along with her friend Stefen. You can see her taking photograph in this photo crouching near the edge of Kambala Track.

Photographing Kambala

It is not always all that fun to take photographs of Kambala. If you are careful you may be gored or trampled by charging Buffaloes. I was able to catch one such situation where excited pair photographers met charging pair of Buffaloes near the finishing track. Trying to get that head on shot you might be risking your life. Then you have a risk of mud bath with splashing dirt soaking both you and your camera gear. My advice is better to be safe than sorry.

Kambala is Hazrdous to Photographer's Health

Paddyfield Pipit

I had earlier written about Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus). I had another opportunity to meet this bird. It was well camouflaged in the tall grass. I was shooting at a playground. Despite people around playing cricket near it, the bird was busy foraging along with its companion.

Paddyfield Pipit

I was using Canon EOS 1D Mark IV fitted with Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM & Canon EF 1.4x III Extender. Last time when I photographed it I had used Canon EOS 7D fitted with Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM & Canon EF 1.4x II Extender. So this is also a good indicator of the performance these two bodies; 1D Mark IV being Professional camera body and 7D marketed as semi professional. The results are on expected lines. Canon 1D Mark IV far surpasses the 7D. Even though bulky and heavy the result 1D Mark IV gives out is astonishing. Its focusing ability is phenomenal. Mastering that ability takes quite a lot of learning curve. Even at higher ISO the noise profile is excellent as compared to 7D.

Paddyfield Pipit

This time grass was greener as compared to earlier version. These birds are usually found in pairs. Paddyfield Pipit is smaller and dumpier, has shorter looking tail and has a weaker fluttering flight. The usually uttered characteristic tsip-tsip-tsip call. It is a wide spread species found in open habitats, especially short grassland and cultivation with open bare ground. It runs rapidly on the ground, and when flushed, does not fly far. It feeds principally on small insects but consumes larger beetles, tiny snails, worms etc. while walking on the ground, and may pursue insects like mosquitoes or termites in the air.

Paddyfield Pipit Camouflaged

A month before this shoot I had spotted these birds nesting in the same grass where I was photographing today. As a ethical policy I don’t photograph nests and will not publish one. Nest was at the edge of a bush. It was woven out of grass and leaves and was cup shaped. There were 3 eggs with greenish ground color and small brown specks. Now the nest is not to be seen and I could not see the young ones too. Since it was about a month since I last saw the nest, I am not sure either they fell prey for the predators or grew up and flew away. That playground is full of people playing around. They also haphazardly set fire to the grass around that playground to clear the grass on that playground.