YEH KAUN CHITRAKAR HAI !

Manoj Jain

February 7^th, 2006 the Sun had not broken its first rays as we hurried towards the historical Chaughan stadium in the mid city. The city was sleepy yet but as we entered Chaughan stadium it was abuzz with activity. There was a riot of colors all over. A fifty or more Europeans along with double the number of Indian helpers were preparing for ‘HOT AIR BALLOONING”. There were balloons of all the colors you can think of Red, blue, silver , gold , orange , pink , green. There was confusion all over and one wondered how the complete thing was being coordinated. A loud unidentified music played on the deck stationed on a make shift truck which also doubled as the stage cum communication control centre.

                                      Sudden announcement of Briefing in 5 minutes…… Briefing in 5 minutes made by Capt Phil halted the music. Briefing was crisp and to the point except some hiccups for MET report. An altitude of 1500 ft  AGL was allotted and the mandatory line was drawn on the map with instructions “ Do Not Cross”. Indigenous, the Jugad way of knowing the winds at 500ft , 1000 ft  and 1500 ft was suggested and few Helium small balloons were released. The winds suggested that Hot Air Balloon will move towards the northwest direction of Chaughan Stadium. a path well clear off the takeoff path of Aircraft from Jaipur Airport. The Aerodrome was only 7 nm south of Chaughan Stadium. It will save balloonists from the wrath of Air traffic controllers. The time now was 0705 and the takeoff of balloons was planned at 0730.

 

Scores of inquisitive visitors had gathered around balloons. Chaughan Stadium was noisy again as the air fans and burners were lighted all over. Big fans are used to fill the air in Balloon and burners subsequently to heat the air. Balloons consist of a large flexible bag containing either hot air or a gas that is lighter than air. The bag, known as an envelope, is made of varnished silk, rubber, or other suitable material. Piloted balloons carry one or more persons in a suspended gondola.

 

After the confirmation from a familiar voice from the Air Traffic control unit at Jaipur. The Balloons took off .The balloons enjoy the liberty of ‘Safe’rubbing against one another as if celebrating brotherhood. Suddenly there was silence all over. A hot-air balloon flies silently. Silence gets broken with the on and off of air burners which are needed to heat the air.

 

Firing a Balloon

The hot air that gives the hot-air balloon its name is commonly created by a propane gas burner that sends powerful jets of flame into the colorful rip-stop nylon envelope. Once the balloon is aloft, its height is maintained by opening and closing the blast valve, which controls the flow of the gas to the burner.

 

In the air scene around was just wonderful. The sun was just out from the back of the hill and had spread a golden hue all over. And oh my God ! Eighteen balloons were up in the air. Yes eighteen of them. On the blue and golden canvass, the colorful balloons against the backdrop of Nahargarh fort were a beautiful painting. And I wondered Yeh kaun chitrakar hai!  And then I saw an aircraft flying over the balloons. The familiar lines from the familiar voice from the Air traffic control sounded like heartfelt whispered prayer. Confident, commanding yet at ease. And then I realised yeh kaun chitrakar Hai!