There are many carnivals and festivals which are held on the lovely planet and have their own distinction and identity. But Rio Carnival of Brazil which is so magnificent and so awesome, is perhaps the largest carnival on the planet earth that attracts almost two million people daily on the streets. Rio Carnival is held at the second largest city of Brazil; Rio de Janeiro which is nowadays a famous world heritage site. Rio De Janeiro is the former capital of Brazil which is the most visited city in the southern hemisphere and it is known for its cultural celebrations.

The winner parade of the Rio Carnival in 2012 – Image: emmablackbird

Rio Carnival is organized by Samba School which is a dancing club who practice the African-Brazilian dances. Samba School organizes numerous events and carnivals every year but the Rio Carnival is the most symbolic and significant. Rio Carnival comprises of phenomenal parades and thus it has become the biggest show on earth. The typical Rio carnival parade is filled with revelers, floats and adornments from numerous samba school which are located in Rio (more than 200 approximately, divided into 5 leagues/ divisions.) Rio Carnival is a collection of pleasure, jubilations and entertainment because it is held in the happiest city of the earth. The visitors can experience the sensational and electrifying parades with the astounding beats of the samba drums, and most importantly, costumed samba dancers in attire ranging from the intricately designed to the outrageous.

Sambadrome during the Rio Carnival in Brazil. Image: Sarah Ahearn

The other important event of the Rio Carnivals is the celebrations of the Carnival Balls which is full of musical and dancing displays. Many parades and street parties are hosted by the locals where everyone is free to join and the show reach to their peak when joined by celebrities.

Rio Carnival of Brazil. Image by Terry George.

The other spectacular feature of the Rio Carnival is the splendid and traditional costumes and attires used by the dancers and performers. No doubt, the outfits of the dancers are so sexy and flamboyant but they are full of creativities and having various themes.

A dancer in traditional attire in Rio Carnival. Image: Kate McKenna

Rio Carnival of Brazil which is so magnificent and so awesome, covers the exuberance and merriment for the people from every walk of life and every age.

A dancing girl in Rio Carnival wearing colorful and traditional costume. Image: sgsprzem

Buzkashi is the favorite sport of the gallant horse riders of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan. This is the national sport of Afghanistan in which the players undergo tremendous practice and exercise to play this valiant game. Like Polo, Buzkashi is also played on horseback and it is thought that Buzkashi was played for the first time in the Oxus basin. A participating horse in Buzkashi must fast and furious. There are two types of horses that are deemed ideal for Buzkashi. The “Qataghan” is a sturdy pony which is famous for being a strong and gusty nature. The other species is larger and is raised in the steppes of Faryab and Balkh. Both breeds are used in Buzkashi. Only male stud horses are used in the game.

Buzkashi: The National Sport of Afghanistan ( United Nations Photo )

Buzkashi is the sport of warriors and the traditional Buzkashi may last for several days. However, according to the Afghan Olympic Federation, the match of Buzkashi is restrained to one and half hour. The play ground with a square layout is selected for Buzkashi and each team consists of 10 riders each. The match consists of two halves and the duration of each half is 45 minutes. Only five riders from each team can play in a half and with the permission of the match referee a rider can be substituted during the game. The rider (or team) who is able to pitch a dead calf across a goal line first wins. The carcass to be used in Buzkashi is gutted and soaked in water 24 hours before the game starts. This is done so the carcass stays together and won’t be torn to pieces.

An Exquisite Snapshot of a Buzkashi Player ( Courtesy: flickr )

The goal of a player is to grab the carcass of a headless goat or calf and then get it clear of the other players and pitch it across a goal line or into a target circle or vat. The kit of the Buzkashi player includes thick turbans, quilted shirts, long boots and wind strong scarves around their waists. The horses which are used for Buzkashi are pretty expensive and they have to go through many hardships and tough trainings. They are fed with special diet including edible grains but before the day of the match the horses are kept hungry for a longer portion of a day and run daily for longer distances. Normally the Buzkashi player is called Chapandaz who also practice very hard for this game and an expert Chapandaz is normally a player of the age of more than forty years. Because the experience is also considered the most important feature of an excellent Chapandaz along with his anomalous physical trainings.

The traditional Buzkashi ( Image : Pouria Lotfi )

The winning team of the Buzkashi match is awarded with heavy money prizes along with fine turbans and traditional clothes. These all are managed by a sponsor or sometimes fundraising is also arranged by the lovers of this game. Buzkashi, the sport of warriors runs in the blood of the Afghan people and they love this traditional sport passionately. Perhaps this is one of the very few sports of the world in which power, danger, genius and technique are equally exhibited.

The men and women from the Indian state Gujarat are popular around the world for “Garba”, a famous Gujarati dance.  The fantastic tradition of dancing “Garba” is specially associated with the Navratri celebrations. These celebrations are continued for 9 nights in which a huge number of people participate. Navarti celebrations are also organized at school level. Navaratri rite represents celebration of Goddess Durga which is a deity of Power according to the Hinduism.

Colorful Garba Dance ( Photo: PVS SURESH )

Garba is an exuberant style of dance which is based on a circular pattern and characterized by a sweeping action from side to side. “Garba” is a Sanskrit word which is used for gestation or pregnancy. A clay lantern is also kept right in the centre of a circle which represents life and the fetus in the womb in particular. Garba can also further categorized in many forms like Dandiya, Raas, Garbo , Heench , Teen (3) Taali and Dodhiyu. Garba varies from place to place in Gujarat.

Raas is a further category of the Garba Dance ( Image : Shanmugam )

The costumes used by the Garba dancers are very pretty and colorful. The women wear the traditional Ghagra Choli or Lehenga Choli dresses in pinkish and yellowish patterns. The women also use heavy ornaments like bangles, necklaces, janjhars or payals, kandoro or waist belts, long oxidized earrings and bajubandh. The male dancers wear kafni pyjamas with a kediyu – a short round kurta - above the knees and pagadi on the head with bandhini dupatta, kada, and mojiris.

Garba, the famous Gujarati dance has got immense popularity around the world. In USA, UK , Canada and in many other European countries there are many choreographic institutes where the techniques of Garba are taught. Garba dance became widespread in these parts of the world due to the Gujarati immigrants

Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch is an emerging female singer from Pakistan who has rapidly placed herself as one of the popular singers in the country. Commonly, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch is referred as QB and she entered in the Pakistan Music Industry after her completion of the Bachelors degree in IT essentials Multimedia. Although, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch is an American citizen but she was brought up in Pakistan.

Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch ( QB )

Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch started her musical career with her appearance in a famous program known as COKE STUDIO. Firstly, she was performing with a well-known musical band “JAL” but soon she grabbed the attention of the listeners with her exquisite vocal talent. Naturally, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch got the inspiration from the musical legend “Reshma” which is evident from her debut video “Akhian Nu Ren De”. This video, which has got immense popularity right after the release, is a cover of the popular song by the legendary Reshma.

Akhiyan Nu Rehn De – Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch

One of the prominent features of the singing of Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch is her raucous voice which has placed her unique from other singers. She herself explains this by saying “Having a husky voice allows me to hit the high notes.” Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch, the emerging female singer also got phenomenal feedback after singing the title song of the Hum TV Drama ‘Hamsafar‘. Without any doubt, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch is an amazing addition to the Pakistani music industry and the Pakistani audience is expecting a lot more from this tremendous singer in her upcoming musical career.

Wo Humsafar Tha ( Hamsafar Play Title SOng )

Have you heard about the only ski resort of Pakistan? This is located in a famous hill station of Swat valley in the great Karakorum Range. This area was highlighted by the Austrian ambassador in 1962 for establishing of a ski resort. Malam Jabba is situated 314 km from Islamabad and 51 km from Saidu Sharif Airport. Malam Jabba is surrounded by the  incredible scenic views. This is truly a fairytale land filled with lush green meadows and amazing slopes. The fragrance of pine trees which are thickly grown  here adds to the beauty of this area. The mighty peaks of the Hindu Kush Mountains create a magical atmosphere in Malam Jabba.

Malam Jabba - A wonderful ski resort

A few years before, this wonder land was occupied by the extremist militants who blew up the ski resort. Before this, the Malam Jabba Ski Resort was hosting the annual skiing competition in which the top teams from every part of the country used to participate. However, in 2009 the Pakistan Army reoccupied this region and established the writ of the government. The rehabilitation and reconstruction work was started and the ski resort was equipped with modern facilities including roller/ice-skating rinks, chair lifts, skiing platforms, telephones and snow clearing equipment. The ski slope of the Malam Jabba Ski Resort is of about 800 m with the highest point of the slope 2804 m (9200 ft) above sea level.

Skiing at Malam Jabba Ski Resort , Swat Valley

The other notable features of the Malam Jabba Ski Resort of Pakistan include two Buddhist stupas and six monasteries that are scattered around the resort. The Malam Jabba Ski Resort is owned by the Pakistani Tourism Development Corporation.