Yesterday I checked out the Manipal Kambala. This is like a onetime event, held for the first time since the 70s. They dug a local ground and made the twin track for the Kambala.
Kambala is not exactly a photographer friendly sports unless you hook up with the organizer to get perfect vantage points. Unfortunately this event had a separate VIP section which hogged all the best views while having lots of empty seats. Being a non-VIP visitor I didn't get best of angles, but I tried some from the distance, and shot some off-track shots.
I found a hill from where I could get this view.
Then I zoomed in to see what cops do if you get too close to the action.
They are ever vigilant.
I even got the name tag...
You need lots of patience to watch Kambala since buffaloes take their own time to get ready for the race. Sometimes they jump the gun.
Then they have to be led back to the starting point.
Don't think these flags have any special meaning other than making the event every colorful.
Finally some action.
After the race...
After waiting 15 more minutes in vain for the next race, I decided to get down and get a closer view. Once people find a spot, they never budge for the fear of losing the spot.
Yes, loo-break means you lose the seat or spot. So I tried some shots standing on a chair and over the heads.
Kambala is a dangerous sport, even for the spectators. Every few minutes, it is normal to see a runaway pair ripping through the crowd. You have to keep your eyes and ears peeled and be quick to get out of the way.
A runaway...
Watch the brave man blocking the way
A team waiting for their turn.
Don't forget this is a sport, the buffaloes and the jockeys are highly trained. Check out the muscles on this guy, move over Salman Khan.
The buffalo transport.
Buffalo parking area.
Before and after the race, the buffaloes were bathing in the lake. Generally, this lake is used only for boating, you can see them in the distance.
While the event appeared to be well organized, it was irritating to be distracted by various (30 something) VIPs in guise of local politicians, film stars, bureaucrats, etc., appearing at different times and halting the proceedings. The best vantage point for photography was taken by VIP section.
There was also a technical glitch. A team manager told me that the track was laid incorrectly. The inexperienced ground staff had dug the track deep instead of just laying the borders. As a result, the buffaloes and the jockeys were sinking their foot deep into mud and getting stuck. While the smaller buffaloes didn’t get affected much, the bigger ones were constantly getting stuck.
As the light started fading, and I packed up the camera and left.