Frozen In Mid-Flight

Nature was in his family, literally—Ghorpad is the Indian name for monitor lizard. Coupled with an interest in photography, Ghorpade’s persistent tramplings in the jungle have resulted in some fine shots. The tigers of Kanha, the tuskers of Corbett National Park and Mudumalai, the black bucks of Sunderpura—Sunlight & Shadows is also a mini-guide to India’s major national parks.

But perhaps the best photographs are not of the elusive tiger or panther but of the common birds in Ghorpade’s native Sandur. With their constant movement, birds may be difficult to shoot but make up for their dizzying hopping by giving an opportunity every day to be watched and observed. That’s why Ghorpade could time himself to get that photograph of the purplerumped sunbird in flight, just before it alighted on its nest.

There are many more such visual records of birds at home. Ghorpade’s interest in tree top domesticity was such that even while preparing for the state budget, he managed to sneak out for one quick shot. It was 1975 and, as Karnataka’s finance minister, Ghorpade was preparing the budget when he got news that a nest of the Indian Great Horned Owl with three young ones had been located. After a day’s work Ghorpade went to the spot and got a perch and some other photography paraphernalia installed. He was conscious all along of the risk involved. Not for a moment did he forget that Eric Husking, the famous bird photographer, had lost one eye in a ferocious attack by an owl. ‘‘I did not have a helmet, nor was I anxious to lose an eye for a bird, specially on the eve of the budget session of the Karnataka legislature,’’ writes Ghorpade. But all ended well and Ghorpade got his photograph without losing an eye.

Sunlight & Shadows is also a fascinating account of the challenges and constant adjustments wildlife photography demands on field. For those with an interest in focal lengths and shutter speeds, Ghorpade offers practical tips gleaned over a lifetime of balancing sunlight with shadows. One of the happy results of this constant tinkering is the photograph of a tusker in the rain at Bandipur which fetched him the Australian Museum Award in 1977. In 1983 Ghorpade became the first wildlife photographer to be honoured with the international award of Master Photographer.

Two photographs stand out in the collection. One of a sloth bear with its cubs on its back as it walk towards a cave. The slightly grainy background and the shadowed rocks only highlight a certain melancholy in this maternal frame. The second photograph is what Ghorpade calls Hanuman’s Leap.

An essential test of wildlife photography is perhaps to get an outstanding shot of an animal that’s not rare. How to lend majesty to a creature that inspires no stronger emotion than an affection bred out of familiarity? Ghorpade passes that test with an excellent action picture of a langur, capturing its grace and agility mid-air as it leaps from one pillar to another.