Shutterbugs recall tryst with Machhli

BHOPAL: They were among the last visitors to Ranthambore National Park in the peak summer season of June 2014. As they moved ahead there was an enchanting alarm by the animals making noises all around. It was the time for the “Queen of Ranthambore” to arrive. Within few moments, there she was, walking like royals in the national park, the world’s most photographed tigress, Machhli.
She headed towards the lake nearby, took bath and watched the world around. Each of her movement was a pose for shutterbugs. It was a thrilling experience for Tushar Bhojwani, a student and wildlife photographer, who captured Machhli on his lens. “She had it all in her genes. She had an attitude of royals and it was a treat for wildlife enthusiasts to watch her walk by. I enjoyed her glimpse for about two hours and my fingers couldn’t stop clicking her. I wanted to capture every move of her. Her eyes and looks were engaging,” said Bhojwani.

As Machhli bid adieu to her lovers across the world on Thursday morning, many shutterbugs went emotional, remembering the moments they spent clicking her. Some shared their thrilling experience with TOI about the aura of “Lady of the Lakes” that took them back to Ranthambore time and again from the land of tigers (Madhya Pradesh). Among them is Nishant Kapoor who spent 400 days filming Machhli and her cubs in Ranthambore. For him sighting Machhili had been an eternal moment of life. “I remember one particular summer morning when I saw her walking towards my gypsy when no other vehicle was around. Due to the terrain it wasn't possible to reverse the gypsy while there was a gorge to the left and a hill on the right. I thought she would climb the hill and pass by. But, Machhli wasn’t one who would shy away.....she kept walking towards me, full of poise and confidence and all the time looking straight into my eyes. She brushed past my gypsy so close that she actually touched the side view mirror, only centimetres away from where I was sitting, awestruck with goose bumps,” said Kapoor, a filmmaker while sharing his experience. “I was in Ranthambore a couple of days ago, but she was critically ill and out of sight,” said Kapoor.

After Machhli left, breaking many hearts across the world, she was cremated following a guard of honour. For the lovers of Machhli, she might not be alive her memories will continue to live on. “Despite being there many times my quest for clicking Machhli could not be accomplished. I must say those who clicked her are the lucky ones,” said Samrat Singh, an amateur wildlife photographer.