DELHI'S BOLLYWOOD AND MASAKALI

DELHI 6, SOURCE: YOUTUBE

The very famous "Delhi 6" has been a prove of success in the Cinema with the pigeons as the main prop for entertainment. The choice of pigeons has been in two ways: either to facilitate in development of romance or as a turning point to initiate the process of peace. The flutter of the wings of the pigeons in itself provides the background music which does not need any instrumentation to accentuate the effect. Pigeon feeding, pigeon being used as a messenger have been the props that have had a symbolic association with the film being a super duper hit. From this perspective and the peppy nature of Masakali of Delhi 6 has been a factor that made it a hit film.

MASAKALI HUB IN A CLICK

 MASAKALI HUB AT VARIOUS OTHER PLACES IN DELHI

QUTUB MINAR

(SOURCE: GOOGLE)

 



 





      

OLD DELHI TOWN HALL

CHANDNI CHOWK

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LODI GARDEN TOMB

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RED FORT
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PARLIAMENT HOUSE
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THE DELHI GATE MASAKALIS

MASAKALIS AT DELHI GATE

(SOURCE: GOOGLE)

Delhi Gate is the Southern Gate of one of the many gates of the historic walled city of Delhi or Shahjahanabad. The gate links the New Delhi city with the old walled city of Delhi. What makes the area unique is the flock of pigeons flying in the sky. The glimpse of the pigeons would remind one of the Air Force Fighting planes flying in sinc, turning to their left and right all together. The birds are not disturbed by the moving traffic but are busy in their sense of flight. They usually line up in numbers next to each other at the wires clinging at the poles. This beauty and serenity cannot be ignored by the passers by an they often tend to feed these masakalis by grains. The flapping sounds of the wings could be heard from a distance which makes one understands that it's a masakali point.

The video projects the masakalis making lots of noise with their flapping wings and taking flight in numbers.

THE MASAKALIS AT DELHI GATE

SOURCE: YOUTUBE

THE MOSQUE MASAKALIS

 

SWIRL OF FLUTTERING BIRDS IN THE COURTYARD
(SOURCE: GOOGLE)



Jama Masjid is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. The mosque's compound is unbelievably serene. The courtyard can hold upto twenty five thousand worshippers and also enormous flock of the fluttering pigeons. The pigeons peel off the big dome of Jama Masjid each time one calls out Allah. Any loud sound disturbs these birds and they then circle the courtyard like a single creature enloosened in a swirl of flutters and artificial winds before it settle again upon the Gumbaz. The birds are fed handsome amount of seeds in the central courtyard of the mosque by the worshippers. Only these lovely birds, who are being fed in the compound can take one's calm for granted and break it with one synchronized motion of spreading their wings and taking flight. The fluttering of their wings is like a symphony, a Sufi offering to Allah, their protector.

A CASCADE OF PIGEONS SWIRLING

AROUND THE JAMA MASJID, SOURCE: YOUTUBE

THE CONFERENCE OF BIRDS

The Vasant Vihar's, Basant Lok Market is a hub for the shopoholics. Besides the famous brands, eating joints, famous PVR Complex and book stalls, a circular pool infront of the Modern Bazaar departmental store takes one toil. The pool remains dry and has no water. Instead, hundreds of pigeons sit on its dry surface, busy feeding on grains. In the early evening time the area is a hangout zone for dating couples, movie watching crowd (PVR Priya behind the area), book lovers and serious shoppers. The beautiful moment usually encounters at the time when the birds gets disturbed by the moving of the crowd towards them and then they immediately sprang up on their wings and flew away, making a fluttering sound. Such a tremendous moment cannot  be ignored and one feels the freedom and the liberty while looking at the masakalis.

                                                  

      

   

                                                      

 FROM THE MOMENT OF PEACE TO THE MOMENT OF BEING IN AIR

(SOURCE: GOOGLE)

THE "HEART OF THE CITY" KABOOTAR

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL CYCLISTS RACE

DURING TOUR-DE-DELHI CYCLOTHON 2010

(SOURCE: GOOGLE)

Connaught Place or CP occupy a place of pride amongst the heritage structures of Delhi. It is often termed as the "Heart of the City". Lies in the Heart of the City, the very famous F Block Market, the one - stop resource for shoppers. What makes the shopping market unique apart from the shoppoholics is the early morning flock of pigeons very particularly seen busy eating grains and clustered in a flock. The birds are not even disturbed by the passers by and have their own freedom and liberty of flying and hovering around the area. The peculiar styles of eating and flapping of the wings is a must seen sight of the area. One would love to sit for hours and see the peaceful souls hovering around in numbers.

 

The video projects the beautiful sight of the hovering birds in a cluster who have the freedom of flight and peace of mind.

THE MORNING BIRDS, SOURCE: YOUTUBE

THE FAMILY BIRD

In the past, pigeons were used to convey messages but now they have been a part of most families in Old Delhi. The pigeons are called 'kabootars' and are well loved by mostly the Muslim population in Old Delhi.

LOVELY SIGHT WHERE A FATHER-SON DUO THROWING
GRAINS OF FOOD INTO THE AIR WHERE THEY WERE

SCOOPED UP BY THE KABOOTARS

(SOURCE: GOOGLE)

Standing on one of the rooftops one can see these beautiful birds flying fast and taking sharp turns. The whistles along with the calling sounds for the pigeons are unlike anything one would hear above the cacophony of Old Delhi. The cooing of the birds, and the whistling and coaxing from the master, is just entrancing. The sight and sound is magical, especially at sunset. Flying the pigeons is a family affair.  This Kabootar racing has been a favourite pastime for centuries, in Delhi. Even the fog and smog of modern city life has thankfully not affected this wonderful sight.  Pigeon racing is a pastime that is passed on from father to son, and thus the sport has been kept alive for so many years. Even today there are races (some over very long distances - Delhi to Kolkata).  The rooftops in Delhi are not just rooftops - they become recreation areas for families and one can look down from taller buildings and see the life that happens here.

The video projects "The Masakali Trail in Puraani Dilli" at one of the rooftops of the area. The flock coming as a united team, the noise of the flapping of the feathers and the cooing of the birds are the beautiful sights.

MASAKALI TRAIL IN OLD DELHI, SOURCE: YOUTUBE

DELHI'S FAMOUS - MASAKALI

Delhi, locally pronounced as Dilli, is "A Bird Watchers Paradise". The city is filled with beautiful creatures and you are sure to spot eagles, vultures, peacocks, pigeons and sparrows quiet easily. These birds can be seen all over the city and are the most common birds in Delhi.

The most famous bird to look out for is "The Pigeon" or "The Masakali" which can best be spotted in places like Connaught Place, Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, Red Fort, Vasant Vihar, Delhi Gate etc. The huge Masakali trail has still given Delhi a belief that despite of the drastic decrease in the number of Delhi birds in the recent years, these Masakalis can still be witnessed by the people in huge numbers.

FLOCK OF PIGEONS, SOURCE: GOOGLE