Tales from donkeys mouth Part 1: Donkey festival of central India

The word must communicate something(other than itself) ..........by Walter Benjamin

Hey Steemians, When ever I read this quote , one of the perfect word that comes before me is "Donkey". Donkey word in itself hold much ambiguity in itself and is one of first slang we hear in our homes and around other spaces where we inhabit. This word may be used in an abusive way , but still Donkey word communicates qualities nobody can detest from like hard work, keen sense of curiosity, make decisions based on safety, love for free gazing etc.(and off course donkey's clock, who ever has seen donkey only ones in his life either roaming or working he will agree).

I am a freelance film production assistant and an independent Documentary and video maker based in Mumbai India. Earlier this month as a part of my project I visited Donkey festival of Ujjain (one the oldest city of India), Madya pradesh, State of central India, which is held once in a year around Kartik Poorima ("कार्तिक पूर्णिमा ",Kartik is a month in hindu calendar and Poorima is full moon day,which generally falls in month of November or December).Many donkey owners and businessman from all over state visit this festival for buying and selling of jack,jenny,fouls and mules(some horses also).
In last decade donkey population in this fest used to be about 1000 to 1500 but it recent years it has come down to about 250-300. With the decrease in usability of donkey in rural household. Most interesting thing about this festival is that donkey are decorated and named by the villagers on names of famous movie stars (like shahrukh khan, sultan) or politicians (like Modi, lalu etc).

In my coming series of post under " stories from donkeys mouth" I am going to share posts about folk tales related to donkey, experience and stories of owners with this festival , their attachment to this "best of burden" and reasons behind this festival moving towards its extinction.
ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL!