I came to know about the event by a very good friend of mine, Meena, around two months ago. To my horror, the illness persisted for more than a month and it was almost a cancelled plan for me to attend the carnival for photography. But on 22nd Nov I thought why not give it a try for small span of time and see if I can manage it.
On 22rd Nov, I went there at around 11:00 AM and it was in my mind that I will go back as soon as possible as I knew it will not be possible for me to stay there for long which happened too as I was not allowed to eat outside due so was feel too fatigue. But I must say those two hours which I spent there were a great experience. I saw different faces of carnival.
Dancers, performers, students painting faces of visitors, artists making paintings and much more!
The performances included Folk Dances, Folk Musical Groups (especially I loved the bean performance)
Video of musicians playing bean.
At around 1:00 PM I came back home, had lunch and slept for two hours to regain my potential but was not able to manage. At 4:30 PM I managed to go there but due to low light I missed many good shots.
Anyway, next day on 23rd Nov, I was much determined to click maximum possible shots as the carnival will be back only after one whole year. I was not in position to miss it at any cost. I went there and took many snaps of performers, children, artists and dancers.
These two arts students were so busy in making paintings of visitors’ faces that they didn’t even notice that I am clicking!
I found some children who, I felt, are too photogenic. So I took permission of their parents and took some photographs.
After one and half hour I again started feeling too tired. So I decided to come back home. After having lunch and some rest, I went back there and had some very good snaps of performers and sunset.
This small two day experience gave me enough courage to get back to work. But at some points I felt very bad. First thing which hurt me a lot was the behavior of fellow photographers there. They don’t care about the photographers, especially who are not “well equipped” like them and come in their frame often. I strongly feel that they so this intentionally to make the photographs as bad as they can.
Second thing which I noticed was the other face of the carnival. Those poor people who were trying to earn their bread by selling stuff outside the carnival premises but were dragged away by policemen again and again. I feel those people should get some space to sit and do their business so that they can also get some extra money for their families.
All of these people didn’t hesitate and allowed me to click photographs. What a delight to see people with such a good nature.
Anyway it was a beautiful experience to be in. I hope coming festivals in the city will give me some very good photographs for my photo stock 
.
P.S. These photographs are my © photographs. Any commercial/personal use of these phtoographs is prohibted. If you violate my intellectual property you may be liable for: actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or part of the image, and, where appropriate, the costs of collection and/or statutory damages up to $150,000 (USD). If anyone is interested in buying any of the photograph for commercial use or in form of a print please mail me at anuragbhateja [at] yahoo [dot] com.
written by Anurag Bhateja
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