Exhibition

'Picturing a Century'

"An exhibition of historical images and cameras"

I had an amazing learning experience today at an exhibition of archival photographs titled “Picturing a Century 1915-2015” at the IGNCA, by Mahatta & Co.

Mahatta & Co was started in Kashmir in 1915 and its Delhi studio was started in 1948.

Viewing the photos that have mostly been shot in Kashmir and New Delhi, I realized how the skyline has changed so drastically.

Aerial shots of Lutyens’ Delhi shot from a glider made me stop and have a closer look. Photos of visiting dignitaries, architecture, and famous personalities captured in a lighter mood and an entire section of portraits made up the other section. There was also a photograph of the first Maruti car that amused me a lot!

The exhibition also included an impressive collection of vintage cameras that includes rare cameras like the one that used to be attached to guns during World War II. A traditional studio and a dark room were also recreated to understand the process.

Mr. Mehta personally took us all around with every image, and explains the challenges they faced for finalizing 300 pictures for this exhibit out of more than 3 lakhs!  Hopefully as now they are in the process of digitizing their archives, the images can be enjoyed by generations to come!