Poetic Images Inspired by Tagore

Bishu Nandi plays with a squirrel (L). Bishu Nandi (right), Sanjoy Bhattacharjee (middle) and other dignitaries at the opening of the exhibition.

On the occasion of the approaching 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Shanto-Marium Foundation has organised a photo exhibition featuring the works of noted Indian photographer Bishu Nandi. Titled 'Chhobir Antore Tumi Kobi', the exhibition was inaugurated by Sanjoy Bhattacharjee, Deputy High Commissioner of the Indian High Commission, on April 16 at Creative Destination of Shanto-Marium University.
Enamul Kabir Shanto, chairman of Shanto-Marium Foundation; Tahmina Chowdhury Kabir Marium, vice-chairman of Shanto-Marium Foundation; noted cultural personality Kamal Lohani, among others, spoke on the occasion. Dr. Shamsul Haque, vice chancellor of Shanto-Marium University of Creative Technology delivered the welcome speech.
Noted Rabindra Sangeet artistes Papia Sarwar and Himadri Shekhar performed at the inaugural session, while reciter Bhaswar Banerjee gave a recitation at the programme.
Nandi said, “When I was eight [in 1938], I got a chance to pay tribute to the great bard Rabindranath Tagore. He was an inspiration. When I was 20, the camera was my only friend. I travelled to many countries where I saw rivers, forests, people and diverse cultural dimensions. I snapped them with my camera.
“Ten years ago, I had a plan to work on the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore. I tried to visualise his poetry through my lens. At the same time, I started to read some of the significant literary works of Tagore and mingle them with my images. The exhibition is the outcome of that attempt.
“When I read his poems, I visualise the many aspects of nature. I see the images as the summary of his poems. Most of the negatives have been damaged because of my negligence. At that time, digital cameras were not available.”
Pandit Ravi Shankar wrote about Nandi's works, “Bishu plays different ragas through his photographs.” Magician P.C. Sorcar (Jr) expressed his appreciation with the following words, “Bishu is in fact a magician. I am proud to have a friend like him.”
“A sophisticated camera is not as important as a sharp brain in order to take a good photograph. I do not think there is any harm in using technology in art. But I am against manipulation in the picture. A photographer should have good observation. He should devote time while taking a picture. But the original nature of the subject should be reflected in the photograph. This gives it life and makes it immortal and eternal,” said Nandi.
At the exhibition, his images highlight pure nature, pastoral beauty, children, foliage, birds, dew drops on emerald stalks of grass, blooming mustard fields, golden paddy field, late afternoon scenes and many legendary figures like Mother Teresa, Jamini Roy, Suchitra Mitra and Soumitra Chatterjee.
The exhibition ends today.