How Green is My Valley

Harpreet Singh captures more than just frames of Punjabs villages.

Harpreet Singh captures more than just frames of Punjabs villages. The young photographer makes for an interesting picture himself and draws attention as he moves from Hoshiarpur to Malwa,Doaba to Majha with his Canon,bringing to view a new window to a world beyond a fixed visual depiction of Punjab.

From a farming background in Hoshiarpur,Harp Farmer,as Singh is better known,attracted much flak from his family for roaming aimlessly with a camera. But I just couldnt stop. Now,I help in the fields and also travel extensively to pursue my passion, says Singh,as he takes one around his first solo Colours of Punjab at Alliance Francaise.

Colour is the code of most frames,as Singh tries to decipher the hues of Punjabs landscape,rivers,people and what these colours evoke in us. The green,yellow and brown of fields,faces and expressions make the landscape vibrant and evocative.

Story continues below this ad

The photographs will take a Punjabi person down memory lane,while,for a non-Punjabi,these will open a new world, says Singh,pointing to a few frames depicting the gujjars of northern Punjab. The lines of time and distinct Punjabiness,of the travelling musicians with their instruments such as toombi make an arresting visual impact.

Mostly in colour,a series of photographs focuses on the flora and fauna of the state,children at play in traditional attires,a kabaddi match,a famous bullock cart race,and women at work in the fields among others. I am now working on a series of self-portraits and am travelling all over the state for it. Photography is a gift from the heart, says Singh.

Colours of Punjab is on at Alliance Francaise,Sector 36,till May 4

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

How Green is My Valley

Harpreet Singh captures more than just frames of Punjabs villages.

Harpreet Singh captures more than just frames of Punjabs villages.