A Ferocious Passion

On the walls were frames of more than a decade of work by Goas well-known industrialist and wildlife enthusiast,Dattaraj Salgaocar,also Managing Director of the 59-year-old VM Salgaocar and Bro Pvt Ltd.

The well-known Goa-based industrialist,Dattaraj Salgaocar,is a photography addict. Over his ongoing exhibition in Panjim,he tells Talk why the tiger has ruled over his imagination for decades

It is monsoon in Goa and the evening is jade in colour. A light drizzle became the background score as a ceremonial lamp was lit on June 17,inside Sunapranta Goa Center for Arts in the posh Altinho area of Panjim,the state capital. On the walls were frames of more than a decade of work by Goas well-known industrialist and wildlife enthusiast,Dattaraj Salgaocar,also Managing Director of the 59-year-old VM Salgaocar and Bro Pvt Ltd.

The crowd was sensitive and sophisticated but their words of praise on Salgaocars muse the tiger were lavish. You have to see the tiger to experience its beauty,its ferocity and power. It is always an amazing experience, said Salgaocar,who has been passionate about photographing tigers ever since he was a young man.

In the last two decades,he has been documenting the big cat through his lens in Kanha,Ranthambore and other places all his frames were up on display. Though the bloodthirsty nature of the beast captured the imagination of a young Salgaocar when he first saw one at Ranthambore from a jeep,his exhibition includes photographs with the animal in reclining,even guarded and vulnerable poses. Some people have told me that it looks as good as posed, smiles Salgaocar. I prefer a distance of about 50ft from the animal and absolutely hate making any noise when I am photographing. You wait and wait,and the tiger could just pass by. But one moment it may look at you,and thats when you get the picture, he says. Five years ago,Salgaocar discovered the digital medium and today he is happy experimenting with a Nikon SLR. Its such an instant teacher. Its like watching a football match earlier,it was about looking through binoculars,now I can go up close to the sights and smells, he says.

The exhibition was inaugurated by noted conservationist and expert on large carnivores,Dr Anish Andheria and the proceeds of the show will be directed to the Madhya Pradesh-based,organisation Tiger Guards of India. Andheria has helped establish the Kids for Tigers programme with Sanctuary Asia magazine editor,Bittu Sahgal,in schools all over the country. I have always wanted to help any organisation which helps protect the tiger. For me,photography is an obsession,an addiction,and I am not here to preach anything. Each one can decide what to take back from the photographs. We have involved kids in the entire exercise because they are so conscious and aware of the issues at hand, says Salgaocar.

In the 20 years of walking the jungle trail across wildlife hot-spots of the world,it was Africa that left a deep pug mark on Salgaocar. I find all animals fascinating and Africa is where I have had some amazing sightings and experiences. Scary and fascinating at the same time, he says.

Snapshots of his work from Africa,including Botswana,have been captured in a tome titled Wild Africa. I havent explored eastern India much,where I am told the concentration of wildlife is high. Then,there is Latin America,the Galapagos Islands,Ecuador,the US and Canada. I would love to experience them all, he says.

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A Ferocious Passion

On the walls were frames of more than a decade of work by Goas well-known industrialist and wildlife enthusiast,Dattaraj Salgaocar,also Managing Director of the 59-year-old VM Salgaocar and Bro Pvt Ltd.

On the walls were frames of more than a decade of work by Goas well-known industrialist and wildlife enthusiast,Dattaraj Salgaocar,also Managing Director of the 59-year-old VM Salgaocar and Bro Pvt Ltd.