honorable mention
siddharth kaneria indiaPhoto © siddharth kaneria
title
well of death
The main attraction at the festivals all across India, hundreds of spectators crowded around a circular pit to witness daredevil drivers in cars & motorcycles performing stunts in vertical pit known as the “Well of Death.” Once a sight at festivals across northern India, the practice is now waning but that doesn’t stop festivalgoers and stuntmen from capitalizing on the few remaining Wells of Death in the country.
The whole thing started from UK but eventually, the spectacle made its way to India. Initially, it was said that the performers used manual bicycles to ride around the silodromes. The stunt would go on continuously for 48 hours. Pedal bicycles thereafter replaced by motorcycles and cars.
Though things started from America & UK but the Indian version is considered even more dangerous than western silodromes, since safety precautions aren’t often observed, drivers never wear helmets, cars & motorcycles are often in need of repairs. Even wells are constructed quite big, 30-50ft dia. constructed out of wooden planks do have some missing pieces.
This is one of the biggest “Well of death” which exists in India. It is said that only 6 of this kind is in practice.
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entry description
I Documented Daredevil Stuntmen & Their Lives At “Well Of Death”.The main attraction at the festivals all across India, hundreds of spectators crowded around a circular pit to witness daredevil drivers in cars & motorcycles performing stunts in vertical pit known as the “Well of Death.” Once a sight at festivals across northern India, the practice is now waning but that doesn’t stop festivalgoers and stuntmen from capitalizing on the few remaining Wells of Death in the country.
The whole thing started from UK but eventually, the spectacle made its way to India. Initially, it was said that the performers used manual bicycles to ride around the silodromes. The stunt would go on continuously for 48 hours. Pedal bicycles thereafter replaced by motorcycles and cars.
Though things started from America & UK but the Indian version is considered even more dangerous than western silodromes, since safety precautions aren’t often observed, drivers never wear helmets, cars & motorcycles are often in need of repairs. Even wells are constructed quite big, 30-50ft dia. constructed out of wooden planks do have some missing pieces.
This is one of the biggest “Well of death” which exists in India. It is said that only 6 of this kind is in practice.
about the photographer
I am an Indian photographer and I am passionate about exploring different cultures through photography. Experiencing other cultures, meeting people from other communities from my own country i.e India or other countries fascinates me the most. Through my photography i seek to document my personal experiences with people, places and moments as i see them and to share it with others the beauty & diversity of the world i have seen.back to gallery