A glimpse of ‘Mahakumbh: A Spiritual Odyssey’

Mahatta & Co., in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), hosted an evocative lecture titled “The Crafting of Photography: From Intent to Object” at the INTACH Building, Lodhi Estate, followed by the launch of their latest book, Mahakumbh: A Spiritual Odyssey. (Source: Photo by PR handout )

Generational Legacy: The lecture was led by Pavan Mahatta, Pankaj Mahatta, and Arjun Mahatta, custodians of a photographic legacy spanning over 111 years and four generations. Drawing from the Mahatta family’s journey from their first studio in Srinagar in 1915 to contemporary practice, they reflected on photography as an act of intention, preservation, and cultural responsibility. (Source: Photo by PR handout )

Experiencing the Craft: The session examined the photographer’s choices, framing, light, timing, and perspective positioning photography as a crafted process rather than a passive capture. (Source: Photo by PR handout )

Heritage and Photography Intersection: Parallels were drawn between photography and heritage conservation, highlighting both as practices of stewardship rooted in care and continuity. (Source: Photo by PR handout )

The Post Production Process: Addressing the evolving role of post-production, Pankaj Mahatta noted, “Editing is not a cheating neither about altering reality; it is about completing the photograph. Even in the digital age, the intent remains the same; to bring the image closer to what the eye and mind experienced.” (Source: Photo by PR handout )

Mahakumbh: A Spirtual Odyssey Launch: The evening concluded with the formal launch of Mahakumbh: A Spiritual Odyssey, a visual chronicle of the 2025 Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, one of the world’s largest spiritual congregations. This coffee table book documents faith as lived experience, capturing gestures of prayer, moments of exhaustion, and quiet resilience amid the vast scale of the gathering. (Source: Photo by PR handout )

Event Conclusion: The event brought together artists, photographers, historians, and cultural practitioners, fostering dialogue on photography’s role in shaping collective memory. (Source: Photo by PR handout )