A first look: India’s 62nd National Basketball Championship
Posted by cathyscholl in India, South India on January 2, 2012
I’ll leave you to decide for yourself whether or not a basketball game is a religious experience and if the players are worthy of god status but I will tell you that my time at the tourrnament in Chennai ranks right up there with the Kumbh Mela and other favorite all-time India adventures.
I am partially writing this post in response to photographers just starting out who have told me they don’t know what kind of photographer to be…a sports photographer, a wedding photographer, a travel photographer, etc. Sure, in business you sometimes need to have an area of specialization, to market yourself to a particular audience. However, in photography (as in life) it’s easy to become limited by putting a label on who and what we are and then adjusting our behavior to fit the label. What I am finding is that the more I let go of labels in both photography and life the more easily I find myself in amazing situations that I could never have imagined or figured out. “Follow your heart” may be a cliché but it’s a far better cliché than copying what all the other people in your genre are doing.
Here’s how it worked for me…(the short version.) Before leaving America I developed an interest in and started researching basketball programs for underprivileged kids in India…which led me to JD Walsh and somehow thru twitter to Karan Madhok aka Hoopistani who mentioned the National Basketball Championship when he heard I was planning to be in the Chennai area.
Once I got there what made it a great experience, what gave it depth were the people I met. This is almost always true in India. I don’t come here because it’s exotic or colorful, I come here because I LOVE the people. Nothing beats their kindness and warmth.
The first game I watched was an evening game held outdoors. The players asked me to join them on their “bench” (a row of plastic chairs.) The next night when my rickshaw driver didn’t show up the incredibly talented Punjab team point guard, Talwinder “TJ” Sahi called him for me and posed for photos while we waited for the driver to arrive. Once I got to know TJ and his life story (which is worthy of a movie…please let me know if you have any connections) my perspective changed. I started to view the tournament thru the eyes of TJ and the Punjab team and when they won the Championship for the first time in 12 years I was right in the middle of the celebration. Camera or no camera there is no place on earth I would have rather been than at that Championship game and victory celebration….which again makes my point to just live and enjoy life with the camera, rather than going around trying to find things to take pictures of that fit in with who you think you are as a photographer.
Here are a few images from the Championship game and victory celebration. I will soon post more from this tournament and will continue to follow the story of basketball in India.
TJ Sahi and fans watch highlights on the monitor after the Punjab team wins their semi-final game
Time out during the final game of 62nd National Basketball Championships in Chennai, India
The Punjab team celebrates their victory at the 62nd National Basketball Championships in Chennai, India
The celebration continues for the Punjab team.
The sweet taste of victory.
Pow WOW! Grand Entry.
Posted by cathyscholl in 2009, 2010, America, Powwow on May 12, 2011
Until now, on this blog I’ve shown only images made in India. Although India is my photographic “muse” I am also continuing to work on a number of long-term projects based in America.
I’d like to share my first “made in America” blog post.
I was previously in the Indian (Native American) jewelry business so photographing powwows has been a great way for me to stay connected with Native American traditions.
Powwows are social gatherings that are spiritual celebrations as well as dance and drumming competitions. The colorful regalia (outfits) worn by dancers are equally matched by the passion of the drum groups.
I regularly attend powwows in New Mexico and California and once visited the great Crow Fair in Montana. This gallery is a selection from New Mexico powwows held in 2009 and 2010. I hope the photos convey the sense of wonder and gratitude I feel.
There are 12 large images in this gallery so please hang on if they are a bit slow to load.
Anna Baba
Posted by cathyscholl in 2010, Baba, Nepal, Sadhu on February 17, 2011
His name is Mahant Anand Giri, also known as Anna Baba.
Although he is from South India his primary ashram is in Pokhara, Nepal.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting him when we were both visiting the ashram of his brother Bun Giri Baba in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Below are a few images of devotees receiving his blessings (darshan) along with other moments from my time with him. It was a pleasure meeting him. I hope our paths cross again.
Bun Giri Baba
Posted by cathyscholl in 2010, Baba, Nepal, Sadhu on January 12, 2011
I’ve recently returned from a wonderful trip to India and Nepal and look forward to sharing my journey with you in words and pictures. While I was away WordPress discontinued my blog theme so you may be seeing some changes here soon. Hope you enjoyed the Holidays and that your 2011 is off to a great start.
