A humming word

Ever wondered what Kashmir looked like before the militia, the government, the terrorists and the plague of fear took over? Kalakriti Art Gallery, host to the art exhibition: Makers and Meanings, has displayed three tiny room full of photographs, clicked by R.C. Mehta. Mr. Mehta ran the first photo studio of Kashmir and he clicked animated portraits of the commoners and celebrities, alike--Pandit Nehru campaigning in the house boats to shy women and sunkissed soldiers, you will find the breath of Kashmir captured in these portraits. Also, the camera which was used was displayed too. So, go ahead, photo bugs! And, for the poets in us, walk through the bazaars where they sold bread, the farms where women toiled and campaigns in House Boats. What was impressive was that the farmers were women. This was 1940s. Can you imagine? These photo rooms, as I call it, is a time travel. You can see the Dal Lake, the Jhelum, the Shalimar Bagh of the 40s and be awestruck. As I passed by, going ...

The Indian Photo Fest claims to be the largest photo festival in South Asia. And rightly so. The fest that’s being held from September 20, 2019, to October 19, 2019, chose the right venue as well.   The State Art Gallery is a haven for art lovers. Nestled surreptitiously beside D Mart, the gate leads you to an uphill, dotted by metallic structures of crocodile, deities, and birds; the parapet wells are painted red with Worli art.   Enter the mammoth gallery of three floors and you’ll realize what a beautiful art space is hidden in the concrete jungle of Cyberabad. And you’d thank yourself for dragging yourself through the boisterous traffic to view the annual Indian Photo Festival, that boasts of an illustrious exhibition, book launches, work shops and a dedicated bunch of volunteers and participants. The sprawling exhibition that narrate emotional stories need space and time and what better than this gallery where time pauses for you. With adequate seating arrangemen...