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In the city: The other Kumble
BEING A CELEBRITY sibling is never easy. No matter what you do or how good you are, it's very difficult to get out of the bright shadow of your more renowned sibling.
- PUBLISHED: Sat 11 Jul 2009, 9:31 PM UPDATED: Tue 20 Aug 2024, 12:52 PM
Dinesh Kumble, brother of former Indian captain Anil Kumble, would be the first to agree. “Though it's lovely to have a brother like Anil, people will always see you as his brother and not as an individual that you are. And there is alsoadded responsibility to check your manners and social conduct,” says Dinesh, who is an accomplished engineer and a passionate wildlife photographer.
Dinesh, who was in the city recently with his famous brother to promote his newly-launched pictorial book on East African wildlife, Dream Safari, talks to City Times about his passion, future projects and growing up with Anil 'Jumbo' Kumble.
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From chemical engineering to wildlife photography, isn't that a strange turn? How did it happen?
Photography was always one of my passions. While I was studying chemical engineering in the US I always used to carry a camera with me. The first one I bought was a second hand camera from a used items store in New York. From then on it's been part of my life. It was always just a hobby and for years I have been shooting casually, but in 2006 I actually started taking wildlife photography seriously. Between 2001 and 2005 I used to visit South Africa very often for business and during each of those trips I would make sure to see the wildlife sanctuaries and the game reserves there. That's how I picked up the interest and slowly the collection of photographs got bigger. So the hobby turned into a full time passion.
Despite having one of the world's best wildlife reserves in your own backyard (India), why did you choose East Africa?
East Africa just happened. It was not planned as such. I actually have a very good collection on Indian wildlife and I wanted to do something bigger. I would also like Anil to join me, that would be fun. He is also a very keen wildlife enthusiast. So far he had very little time for all these things. Both of us are keen to do something together very soon, either by year-end or early next year. India has got a greater variety of flora and fauna than the whole world put together. Covering India is not easy, it will take a life time. Covering Africa is that much easier.
Can you share with us some of your wildlife experiences?
Every moment in the wild is memorable. It gives you so much joy that you can't forget anything. There is one particular moment, which is up there in my memory. We saw a lioness going for the kill, but it was not the lioness who got the prey, the cheetah got it. The lioness then went after cheetah who ran for his life leaving the kill for the lioness. That moment confirmed whom the jungle belonged. It was one of those Nat Geo moments.
Another moment that is worth mentioning was a sea of wildebeests moving against the backdrop of a setting sun. It was beautiful, the entire sky was painted scarlet red. It was one of those picture-perfect moments.
I have detailed many of these moments from my visits to Masai Mara and the Serengiti in Dream Safari.
How was it growing up with Anil Kumble?
We had a great childhood, we gelled and bonded well. We have a four-year age difference but it never came between us. We grew up like all the normal middle class kids growing up in India in the 70s and 80s. We played all the games that were common in those days, from playing marbles to gilli danda and of course cricket. Whatever little space we would find around our home we would convert it into a playground.
Anil often credits you for his success and cites you as his inspiration. Was it your suggestion to change his style of bowling from fast to spin that proved to be so successful?
Honestly speaking, I don't know where he derives his motivation and inspiration from. Yes, as for changing his style I had a role. I distinctly remember that day, when he was around 13 or 14 an umpire called him for chucking (an illegal delivery) during a match and that day he came back home broken and distraught. He was not actually chucking. He was very quick for his age and may be that was the reason he was targeted. Later that day when we were practicing in the nets I just casually suggested him to try spin bowling and that worked.
When was it that you or others in the family realised that Anil had potential?
When he was around 13-14 he started taking his game very seriously, the best part about him was his dedication and determination. I can recall that during those days both of us, along with other boys from the area, would regularly practice at a nearby playground after school hours. But during monsoon all the boys would generally stay at home. Because we knew even if it was not raining at that moment, it would rain any time. But Anil was an exception, rain or shine he would go with all his gear and equipment. He would not stop even if there was very little possibility of play. That quality took him to where he is today.
There must be many fond memories of your childhood with Anil. Any particular incident that stands out?
There are a couple of instances. One is when he was around five or six years old. As usual we were playing cricket and he got out while batting but was not willing to accept that he was out and wouldn't give the bat away. To convince him I said, 'you are our Sunil Gavaskar and you have already scored 10,000 runs and batted for too long and its time you gave others a chance.” That pleased him a bit, he always wanted to make it big.
Another instance is when he was around 14 and we were playing a match. We were in a terrible situation with 70-odd runs on the board and six wickets down and had to chase about 200 runs to win the match. That's when he went to bat claiming that he would win the match for us, which he almost did. The striking thing for us was that he was the youngest among all of us.
Does it help having a celebrity brother? Or is it disadvantage?
Yes, of course it helps in many ways. But it also becomes a disadvantage sometimes, because when you want some private moments you won't get them.
How far has Anil's status helped in shaping your career or bringing out the book?
In terms of this project, the biggest help that I got from him was that he lend me his equipment during these safaris. His ideas have also been very helpful in bringing out the book. But primarily this is completely a self-made project. From pictures to designs they are all mine. If you are talking about the launch and promotion, then tell me who else would you call if you have a brother at home who is an international celebrity.
Has the name and fame of Kumble helped in selling the book?
Yes, to a certain extent it has helped, but ultimately it's the product that sells itself. However, he has given me good publicity and helped the media approach me.
What next?
We are trying to publish a coffee-table book with Anil's collection of photographs from of his early days till retirement.
Dinesh Kumble's coffee-table book 'Dream Safari' was launched in India last month. The book is published and marketed by his family-run firm Krab Media and Marketing. Negotiations with a local publisher to make this book available in the UAE are on the way. The book should be available in the UAE in the next three months.
shafaat@khaleejtimes.com