People at the Rajpur Mela

Perhaps the most important symbol of a fair is the giant wheel. And so I was happy to see this one at the Shahenshahi Ashram mela. The best part about this one is that it did away with the parts I do NOT like about giant wheels. Stomach turning heights? Not this one.. The photo above makes it look like it was looming over the horizon, but in reality it was quite modest. As it should be, because it also did not have one of the features I dislike about fairground entertainment, which is the use of diesel generators with the accompanying pollution, noise, and use of fossil fuels. Instead, it used some shockingly clean energy.

Clean, yes. But also a little disturbing. The two young men in the photo sit on the axle and turn it with their legs.  I was a little queasy when I saw them clamber around a moving giant wheel. I was a little tense when I saw them perch on the axle. And when I realised that they are probably around the same age as my niece, I was sadder still.

I do hope that they are part owners of this outfit. I hope that they get pleasure out of their lives. And  I do hope that they stay safe.

This wheel was one of the most popular attractions. The others are shown below.

A chaat seller who knows how to dress to impress. A balloon seller with rainbow zebras that I wanted to buy. And a gola wallah with his stunning array of gleaming bottles and his carefully insulated block of ice waiting to be shaved, drizzled with syrup and sold by the cupful.A good time was had by all..

The mela at Rajpur

 When I was told that a colleague and I would be setting up a stall at the Ram Navami mela, my reaction was 'ohnoNonono. Oh no.' Yes, you know how far that goes at work. In the end, it wasn't all that bad. Despite storms, mind-numbing boredom, and eating too many cookies to deflect that boredom we managed to have a fairly good time. Caught up with some old friends, took some photos, ate some food.

The fair is held on the occasion of Lord Ram's birthday, which is a pretty big event in North India. According to the people I spoke with at the fair, the Shahenshahi Ashram has been hosting it for the last century and a half. This year, a awareness raising component had been added and that is what I was doing there. One hundred and fifty years without a break is pretty impressive, and therefore it is sad that the first time I visited it, it was a slow affair.

It was not it's fault. It was stormy all day to the extent that the tent we were in threatened to blow down. The stall keepers had a forlorn time of it. It was sad to see them unpack their wares only to pack them again in a few minutes.

 

We all did soldier on, however. The ice-cream sellers and the chaat-wallahs managed to earn money. On the second day, the skies did clear and a good time was had by all. On the first day though, it was all we could do to stay dry and in reasonably good spirits. We tried, but not all of us managed to look as good being bored as this young woman. 

To follow soon? photos of the various participants