The diversity of India, its soil, its people and variant colours come alive In Pushkar which is situated in the desert area near Ajmer Sharif of Rajasthan, India. From Mythology to business Pushkar has its own story and significance. In one hand Pushkar has the only one Bramha temple in the World, Pushkar is also famous for the largest livestock fair.
I am not sure which segment of Pushkar fair attracts me the most whether it’s a cultural affinity or the raw nature of cattle ground or the music echoing through the desert.
Pushkar is one of the worlds’ famous place due to its largest camel fair. Though there are many beautiful places to visit in Puskar town but as a photographer, my sole attraction is the Camel fair that compelled me to visit this place since 2014. Other animals like horses, cows, sheep, and goats are also being traded during the fair. It amazes me every time whenever I visit Pushkar. The amount of energy present there gets transferred into my soul which initiates possibilities to explore more and more. The various faces of camel traders, locals along with their melancholic Rajasthani folk music and colourful turban makes me excited. I can feel the romanticism of that very moment. This is a paradise for photographers. Every year more than four lakhs visitors come at Pushkar to witness the wonder.
Animals from different parts of Rajasthan are brought at Pushkar fair ground for trading purposes. No doubt this is the largest livestock exhibition of its kind. This is the primary way of income for camel traders. Apart from these cattle’s, one can find a variety of things for purchasing such as Clothes, Rajasthani jewelry, shoes, wooden goods, paintings, swords, knives etc.
There is a big stadium beside the fairground where various kind of activities takes place like horse racing, gymnastics, hot air balloon ride, dancing, singing, camels ride etc. Beautification of Camels is one of the most interesting competition happens here where the camels are well decorated with ornaments by their owner to win the competition. Photographers can also take part in the photography competition organized by Rajasthan tourism. Last year it was organized by Puskar Mela Bikash Samity Ajmer, Rajasthan Tourism, Chiiz Magazine, and other partners. Luckily, I have won the Puskar Fair Contest 2017- “Frame the fair “.
Devotees from various parts of the country also come here for religious purposes and they take a holy dip in the sacred Puskar lake. There are more than 300 temples around the shore of the Puskar lakes with 52 Ghats. According to the Hindu mythology, a person attains salvation if takes a dip in the holy lake during Karthik Purnima, this act also helps to clear all their sins.
Every year the visual nature of Pushkar is changing rapidly due to global warming and urbanization so as the fair and as a Photographer I am trying to freeze these changing moments honestly. A photographer can find numerous possibilities to capture world-class photographs with different composition and moods. The actions and energy are vital along with the postures with regards to photographic perspective and also the colourful dresses of camel traders and their families add huge impact on overall aspect of the photograph. From mating of animals to racing every moment is busy and eventful where enjoyment refused to cease.
For me, the content is the king of any photograph. Yes, light has its own role to play. Lines, texture, tone, colour adds value in getting the purest forms of the fair. In addition to that one can find a variety of mood and moment, play of light and shadows. The entire area is full of opportunities in my view. The area is very safe for travellers. One can shoot throughout the day and night without any hazard.
One might ask why this fair is a unique place for shooting and my answer would be – one can find a thousand stories from the same spot with a variety of mood, forms, and colours.
About Raj Sarkar
Raj Sarkar is a Street Photographer and Educator. He holds MBA Degree in Finance and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application. He is the founder of World Photographic Forum, Curator of APF magazine Street Photography and also a member of street photography collective called in-street. He loves exploring possibilities on street. His main object is to Freeze the emotions and actions of people.
He delivers the lecture on photography in various Colleges and institutions like IIM (Indian Institution of Management), Union Chappell school etc. He also conducts countless workshops on street photography. He also curates’ various exhibition and he has also been appointed as a judge in the various competition.
Raj is a recipient of various awards, recently he has won the International Puskar Mela Contest, Winner Wiplay Photo contest “India in Color”.Finalist of Garuda World Photo contest and HIPA and his work has been exhibited worldwide. He reviews various gadgets and camera including Fuji x camera for Fujifilm. His article has been published in all renowned magazine and websites in the world like Fujilove, Street Photography Magazine, USA, Viewfind, APF Magazine, Smart Photography, Better Photography, Asian Photography, Chiiz magazine, Saveus,121 clicks, National Geographic and more. Recently his photographs have been showcased in London Street Photography Festival and Indian Photo Festival.
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Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Raj Sarkar. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
