The exhibition hosts an archive of anonymous photos from India.
The sweeping glass facade of the University of Chicago Center in Connaught Place does not encourage one to stop and stare into the plush lobby. But, if an intrepid pedestrian does loiter, he or she might be rewarded — with a glimpse of two massive boxes, whose sides are covered with text and photographs. Made up of four panels each, the boxes form a show titled “Following the Box”, which opened this month. The size of the “art exhibition” — organised by the American Embassy and USIEF— does no justice to the possibility of its subject.
The story of “Following the Box” begins in 1988 when an American couple picked up a shoebox at an estate sale in Chicago and found it stuffed with old photographs and negatives. What happened next is worthy of a road movie. Alan Teller and Jerri Zbiral saw that there were 130 photographs and negatives, taken in 1945, with captions such as “Biliji Temple” and “Indian Girl with Jug”. When the couple started to trace unknown places and the rural people, it became an obsessive adventure that still continues.
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Teller and Zbiral decided to “follow the box” — it brought them half-way across the world, to India — to identify the elements in the photographs. They relied on scholars, students, organisations, books, online resources and sheer luck. About one discovery, the text reads, “After a series of near misses, they found an exact match to the image simply marked ‘Kali Temple’. It was in Kharagpur.” In another case, a photograph showed a girl sitting in front of a blurry temple. Teller and Zbiral searched online and identified this to be the Balaji temple in Kharagpur in West Bengal. When they visited the temple and began comparing the newly painted structure with the one in the photo, “a young man appeared. He pointed a photo marked ‘Old Priest Biliji’ and said, ‘That’s my great-grandfather’”.
Unravelling the mystery opened another chapter of history — of American military presence in India during the second World War and of the Indians, who served on the American bases and worked on airfields, among others. The photographer was most likely an American GI, who was based in Kharagpur.
A previous show of “Following the Box” was held in Kolkata and was a larger affair, with several artists engaging with the photographs. Delhi’s seems like a teaser. The identity of the photographer is still unknown. His story, however, needs a bigger box.
The exhibition is at University of Chicago Center, Connaught Place, till April 30.
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
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