Special Moments

The collection,comprising 32 photographs taken from 1992 to 2009,has glimpses from across the country. If in Cochin,Rai zooms in on the men practising the traditional martial art form of Kalari,in Gujarat he has shot amused members of the Swami Narain sect tying their dhotis after Holi. Another picture shows the world’s shortest man,22-inch-tall,Gul Mohammed,overshadowed by the pots and pans in a friend’s kitchen.

There are also,familiar images of Naga Sadhus running into the water during the Mahakumbh at Allahabad and the confetti of petals in Playing Holi with Flowers; Krishna and his Gopikas,Vrindavan. But,it is images like the winner of the Mr Desert contest standing tall in sand,and the dreaded former dacoit Mohar Singh striking a pose with his men in Chambal that grip the imagination. “It’s his attitude that comes across,” says Rai.

The prints have a limited edition of 10 and are priced between Rs 45,000 and Rs 67,500. Rai is also ready with the next set of photographs. “There will be another exhibition in the series,” he states as guests crowd in to view the works.

The exhibition at Shridharani Gallery is on till September 13.
Contact: 23719470