- “photographs mesmerize; the captivating visuals transporting the viewer to real India, sans the mask of urban ‘civilization’ that we have got unfortunately used to. It raises the Shakespearean dilemma in the viewer’s mind- ‘To Be or Not to Be’ like those natural common people in the photographs”
- “photographs make me nostalgic”
- “Been to Allahabad for 6 years but never saw the thing the way the photographer has seen. Loved it”
- “the starkness of Naga ascetics recorded by his camera is truly mind-blowing and gives rare insight to his acumen as a candid photographer”
Interest
of women in the fairs and festivals was particularly striking. I talked to at least three lady Professors in
reputed academic institutions who displayed a deep passion and experience of
traveling to these events, and could connect easily with my photos. Another group of three unknown elderly ladies
came and talked to me at length about the events. A group of poets from suburban areas spent a
lot of time talking to me and my daughter.
Foreign tourists were attracted like a magnet to the photos. Two American teachers from Woodstock
International School in Mussourie accompanying a student talked to me about the
events at length; visitors from Mexico, Korea and Europe spoke and left
appreciative comments.
The reaction of fellow exhibitors was mixed. A senior artist and exhibition organizer liked our unit and took us under his wings. He provided advice and support during the entire duration of our exhibition. Another artist and organizer in adjacent hall was overwhelmed when I took my friend as a buyer to his hall and he bought one of the exhibits. The artist told me later that no one wants to expose their buyers and keeps them under wraps. A young artist came, walked the show and posted snide comments on our flex and visitors book- we took it as a constructive criticism. Another young boy, exhibiting his vibrant Krishna-Radha theme canvases at another gallery, was mesmerized about one photo of the facial expression of a rustic old pilgrim. I had casually clicked the photo at Ganga Sagar mela.
It
seemed that people could instantly connect with the liveliness and spirituality
of the events- an opportunity they do not get easily in Kolkata. A gentleman, claiming to be a film-maker,
wanted to do a documentary on the Naga saints and talked to me at length about
the way of life of these saints. But I
could hardly conceal a chuckle when he asking his parting question- “So, all of
them are from Nagaland?” In hindsight
though, it was not so funny because the awareness about saintliness and mythology
based religious events of India is abysmally low in West Bengal. The reason for this can be debated, though
the fact is undeniable. The insularity
of the Bengali community from all-India happenings may be partly
responsible. Bengal became famous
for many reasons- show of religiosity is not one of them. The socio-political discourse prevalent in
the state may be another contributing factor.
The media (both vernacular and English) in Kolkata do not pay any
attention to such events. I have carried
back loads of Hindi newspapers from the Simhastha Kumbh Mela’s opening days in
Ujjain this year, wherein various facets of the event were the only news from
cover to cover. On same days, there
would be passing reference to the event in an inside page in the newspapers of Kolkata. These events become news here when something
unpleasant or untoward happens; such as stampede; disease outbreak or crime. But when such events happen flawlessly with participation of 10-30 million people at a riverbank, that is not
news. Even if it is the biggest human
congregation on earth, as in Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, held once every 12
years in the flood plains of rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Here, a temporary mega-city is created in four months over an area of 2000 hectares, with 770 km of electricity lines;
22,000 street light points and 130,000 private connections; 550 km of water
pipeline; 44,000 toilets; 38 hospitals; 13,000 police personnel in 30 police
stations; 18 temporary pontoon bridges over the rivers; 3600 extra buses and
600 special trains operating from four railway stations to transport
pilgrims. This is sheer magic. A team from Harvard University’s South Asia
Institute camped for weeks at Allahabad Kumbh trying to study the science
behind this magic. But it does not pass
muster with the editors of West Bengal newspapers or national English
dailies. However, launch ceremony of
Indian Premier Cricket League with 8 private club teams is considered
significant enough for a leading English daily to devote more than half of
newsprint space. The perspective of
television channels is the same.
Therefore, the ignorance of the common man about such events is
understandable. But the ingrained quest
for spirituality bubbles up when they come face to face with candid photos of
faithfuls, vibrant show of faith by commune of Naga ascetics and the magical
ambience of these events.
I was deeply satisfied that my photo exhibition met an unmet need of a part of the population of the city.
I was deeply satisfied that my photo exhibition met an unmet need of a part of the population of the city.
