Between The Lens

The exhibition is an effort to document the heritage sites in the country so that at least a digital resurrection of these sites can take place. The group consists of a commercial art professional,researcher,lecturer and an engineer – all sharing a similar passion for photography. Shares Yogesh Bharaskar,lecturer at D Y Patil College of Applied Art and Craft,”We went to Hampi in April. It was a four-day trip and we took more than a thousand pictures. All of us feel that a photographic account of these places is quite necessary.” The four-day trip included visits to Hampi,Badami,Pattadakal and Aihole. Bharaskar,who has been capturing several monuments across the country,has been clicking pictures since the last ten years. “I was inspired to go for this particular trip after I saw pictures of Hampi dating to 1800’s from the Alkazi Foundation,New Delhi. When I went there I could see the changes in the place. The way it was preserved during the British era and the way it has been kept now was disturbing. I feel if its not restored,in another 20 years nothing will remain.”

A similar sentiment is shared by Vandana Khedikar who worked as a photographer and artist at the Nagpur University’s Archeology Department for 16 years before joining the D Y Patil College of Applied Art and Craft as an assistant professor. “We have tried to look at the aspect of art at the site. The place is mostly in ruins but there is still so much to capture,so many stories to tell.” Khedikar,a doctorate holder,researched well on the subject and has been documenting heritage sites through photography.

For Khemchand Khairnar who works as an artist and photographer at National Agricultural Research Project,Ganeshkind,Aundh,this was also an attempt to bring out the aesthetic culture of the country. “I have always been interested in capturing the huge pillars,wide steps,mandapa and large kundas . Temples have interested me greatly. And with their grandeur and beauty,they also represent an important phase in history.”

In the exhibition,Khairnar will not only present his photographs but also his paintings. His next exhibition will be ‘Khajurao to Mandavgada’. Vishal Khairnar,a designer by profession,has also contributed around 40 pictures for the exhibition along with Shreekant Shimpi,an IT consultant.

The exhibition will be held from August 13 to 15 at Balgandharav Kala Dalan