Tag: night

World Champ At Their Home Ground

World Champ At Their Home Ground.

The two young men in the previous pic are part of a prestigious troupe known as the Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Association. I was amazed by their acrobatic and daredevil performance on the high poles.

Looking at the troupe’s Facebook Page back home later, it was nice to discover they are indeed the World Champion for the High Pole Category. Dragon and Lion Dance is a sport recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia.

The night (known as ‘Chap Goh Mei’ in Malaysia) marked the end of the 15-day celebration of Chinese New Year. Beautifully-lit Thean Hou Temple was the backdrop for the thrilling lion dance and spectacular fireworks.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 6400, f4, 1/60 sec.

#documentaryphotography #nightphotography #liondance #chinesefestival #chapgohmei #cny #sonyalpha #a7r #zeiss

Whoa – Souped Up Cars On Thaipusam Chariot Night

I really don’t know how to write the captions for this pic. You know the cars that we see parked under the bridges in Putrajaya? Their intent are to show off their car’s sound system or I.C.E. (in-car entertainment system), I think.

I always expect to see some owners waving jumper cables because battery drain will be no small issue. Haha.

You know how some Yindians like to decorate or accessories their cars in the most gaudy fashion? What happens when they combine the two loves?

Last night, we saw a car decorated like a chariot and it was blasting very loud Indian music. Lo and behold! There wasn’t just one Knight Rider or KITT wannabe.

The whole street had similar cars parked together like an exhibition or competition, all with funky lights and music thumping hard in anticipation of the chariot.

Imagine the noise and blinding lights from the mobile Light Sensation show. Am happy to be able to record this new phenomenon on a Thaipusam procession night.

What are such car competitions normally called, anyway?

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 3200, f4, 1/30 sec.

#thaipusam #chariot #procession #lights #caraudio #night #streetphotograph

What A Lulu

The roads were peppered with mysterious stationery cars that stalled in the middle of the road, it seemed.

Jugjet found his Lulu moment when he realised he was tailgating illegally parked or driverless cars. All of a sudden, I saw a LuLu.

Like a Lulu, I felt like a ‘Jakun’ seeing the bright lights of Las Vegas for the first time. Lulu is also a local slang word for noobiness or a numbskulled person but usually used affectionately.

LuLu, the neon celebrated building here, as I found out later, is an international retail chain with presence in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, India and Indonesia. The lights of Vegas were soon outdone by an Yindian car we saw moments later. Coming up next.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 3200, f4, 1/50 sec.

#thaipusam #chariot #procession #lulu #neonlights #lulu #hypermart #streetphotography #night

Big Boy’s Toys

Big Boy’s Toys.

My friend, assistant and helper for the night, Jugjet Singh Randhawa taking pictures with his iPad. He said the results are better than those from his phone. It was his first up-close participation and he enjoyed it.

The red FRU or riot control police’s double decker truck is like a big boy’s toy. So is the iPad, I guess.

I was awed by the truck as a kid. Seeing men riding on the upper deck with loud hailers, hard hats, water cannons and flashing lights left a lasting impression. Wire mesh windscreen protectors and armoured plating add to the indestructible image.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 3200, f4, 1/60 sec.

#thaipusam #chariot #procession #fru #truck #streetphotography

A Smashing Time

A Smashing Time.

The ritual of smashing and breaking coconuts on the procession route seems very aggressive and wasteful. Ironically, it symbolises the surrender of one’s ego at the feet of the presiding deity Lord Muruga.

it leaves a trail of debris which were promptly cleaned up by an accompanying Alam Flora crew.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 3200, f4, 1/50 sec.

#thaipusam #chariot #procession #coconuts #ritual #streetphotography