Engaging with nature and humanity was the most profound aspect of photography, remarked distinguished photographer Raghu Rai.
Mr. Rai, famous for his notable photographs of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, film director Satyajit Ray, and a baby donkey, among others, interacted with the audience at a discussion hosted by JC Art Gallery here on Saturday.
When questioned about how his images differed from others of his era, he thoughtfully responded that it was predominantly the viewpoint that was important.
“Every individual has a distinct life, unique upbringing, and varied culture, and this diversity enables everyone to create their own distinctive style,” he elucidated.
He reminisced about his access to all areas of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple 50 years ago, contrasting it with current restrictions he sometimes faces.
“When a temple restricts my ability to photograph the sanctum sanctorum, I tend to refrain from visiting, instead opting to capture the expressions of people where I perceive divinity,” he mentioned.
Commenting on the evolution of religious observance in India, he stated, “As every temple is now overseen by religious entities or governmental bodies, the temple’s capacity to convey spirituality has diminished.”
The tranquility that once came from entering a temple has been overshadowed by the turmoil surrounding faith, Mr. Rai opined.
“While politicians assert that ‘Pran Pratishtha’ has liberated the country, it has in reality turned the nation into ‘servants’ of religion,” he remarked.
Critiquing the contemporary generation, he expressed that the ‘fast food’ mentality prevalent today has stifled creativity.
“I do not subscribe to clichés like ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ as the multiple interpretations of a photograph can create confusion,” he clarified.
When asked whether he is easily distracted while capturing images of leaders and prominent figures, he stated that he typically recalls poet Kabir’s wisdom that ‘any encountered situation should not clutter the spirit.’
“When external circumstances crowd our spirit during a photo session, we risk losing the authenticity of the moment,” he added.
Recollecting his experience of taking a picture of a baby donkey in Punjab, during his first encounter with a camera, Mr. Rai noted that the shot was achieved after a considerable chase.
“As I attempted to photograph the donkey, it dashed away, amusing the children nearby. To elicit laughter from the children, I pursued the donkey around the streets until it finally paused, allowing me to capture a perfect shot, which has since become one of my favorite images,” he shared.
He advised aspiring photographers to avoid lingering in the same location for too long as it could warp one’s worldview.
“To thrive and remain engaged, traveling is the sole solution,” he concluded.
Published – January 19, 2025 07:39 pm IST