Pimpalgaon Joga Dam is situated in the Junnar city of Pune. It was on the shore of this dam (not sure what to call a land near the dam), on a very hot summer day we came across this nomadic group of people. There was a sudden flash of the song "Aao Milo Chalo" from the movie "Jab we met" where I have seen people with these colorful turbans. They were as surprised as we were to meet them.
On a second look, there was meat that was being divided among them. So I was curious about what they were doing in the middle of nowhere. They spoke Marathi so my broken Hindi was not of much use, though we had a good chat.
They were returning after trading their animals and was dividing all their share from what is left. On a closer look, there was this man who was separating the pieces of into different vessels. That is what they get to go home with from their sell of that day.
They were traveling with their families and livestock. The horses and chickens found their food from that land. The dogs were chained to trees. They were to spend the daytime here before heading towards another location very far from here.
It seemed to be a very different lifestyle. To go to places far with animals and families, which mean they walk all the way? or they might have a shortcut to reach the places!
They were really friendly, happy to talk to us and talk about their life. Allowed us to touch their horses even though the horses did mind. Sometimes the elder men talked a lot and I understood nothing, but still nodded.
They were happy to be photographed and happier to see themselves in the picture.
They never understood why people wanted to take photos of them or with them. For them, their bright turban was something very normal. Their animals were a part of their life.
And they said "everyone wants to take pictures with us" and smiled. Gathered around to see the pictures and had a good laugh pointing how their faces and expressions were captured.
They were normal people whom I met on the road with a different lifestyle. Nothing extraordinary, but it is these little encounters that keep the memories alive. Pimpalgaon Joga Dam is not a great place to visit on hot summer noon but I'll remember this place for this tribe.
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