BUDS: Abhay

Abhay is one of those sportsman who really signify the spirit of sports. Abhay exuberates positivity and has a forever smile on his face. He was the most excited and welcome chap at the stadium and always wanted a picture or a video to be taken. Like many other athletes he also has a 3 sessions/day session. I am just amazed on how these guys recover every day from this strenuous training sessions everyday. I decided to follow his training session for a day, turns out his training starts at a ground in Bijnor.

It was serene cold morning in Bijnor when I went there and had a feel of a life that started much earlier than mine.

Buds: Piyush Patel

Piyush is one of those young boxers who consistently stood out among many others just for the sheer dedication he has during the training sessions at the stadium. His body language oozes out the level of interest he has in the sport. A rare phase in life where one is driven not just for the results but also the process of achieving the results.

I was amazed to hear that apart from the 3-4 hour training session at the stadium, he wakes up early in the morning for a 2-3 hour fitness training and finishes the day off with a night session too at his home. I wanted to see him in his own environment doing what he loves. I am thankful that he invited me to his his uncle’s house in Lucknow where he stays just so that he can pursue Boxing at a facility.

Budding Boxers of Lucknow

A little more than a year ago, I had come home from a break between two shooting events. As we all tend to open our instagram during such trying times, I happened to see an ad about a workshop called ‘Find your creative voice’ by Indrajit Khambe. I was so ready for an experience like this that I immideately signed up for it without even going through any of their profiles. I had a faint memory of Mr. Khambe’s and went ahead with that hunch.

During our initial meeting over the zoom call, I showed him and the co-mentor, Ms. Suhitha Shetty, a lovely lady with practical and precise advice and warm support.

The workshop has to be consisting of any these subjects.
1. A documentary project

2. A Self portrait series

3. Photographing your family

I on an instinctive level had known a project that I wanted to pursue,it was to document the budding local sportsmen. I have always had an interestand practise in powerliftingbut that seemed to be an easierproject, rather I chose Boxing to be the focus for this project as although fascinating, it wasn’t a very familiar sport. It’s dynamic, fast paced and would be different from what movies show us.

I worked up my contact and got to talk to the coach at the legendary K.D Singh babu Stadium. As all things Lucknow, I was welcomed well, and a lot of folks were curious about this project. Some were reserved some enthusiastic. This is where I find this city very comfortable. You keep good intentions,a smile on your face and you are welcomed everywhere, well mostly.

This is where I begin the documentation of the Boxing department of the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium.

Junior boxers look up to their seniors not just in terms of techniques but also like their elder brothers who would chide them,nurture them and also push them forward in their training.

New entrants to the sport are mostly seen in the corner practicing their basic skills and strength to get fit enough to start their journey.