Stroll through Nehru era with Kulwant Roy pics...

New Delhi, Oct 4: Nehru's hand curled tenderly around grandson Rajiv's neck, Gandhi and Jinnah arguing in 1939, Nehru and Ghaffar Khan strolling in Shimla-these nuggets of history were captured through photographs by Kulwant Roy from 1940 to 1960.

Diplomats, photographers and art collectors gathered yesterday for the opening of an exhibition with the photographs taken across India. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Karan Singh, President Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the guest of honour was C R Gharekhan, President, Indira Gandhi National Centre For Arts (IGNCA). The exhibition includes 77 original large prints and 18 original silver bromide prints ranging from the period of 1940 to 1960 -- photographs by Kulwant Roy which will be on display during October 4 to 21 photo exhibition on History In The Making - Visual Archives of Kulwant Roy, curated by Aditya Arya and Sabeena Gadhikode.

Images captured by him were reprinted several times but credited to nameless stringers.

Roy thoughtfully selected frames that attempt to capture moments of time that hope will make you pause , bring hidden memory.

This is an ultimate treasure trove for anyone, who loves photography. A photographer of repute sharing in texture, intense feeling, a visual encounter.

There are a wide range of rare exhibits from Roy's collection .

He captured various moods, showing glimpses of political leaders in different facets of life he with his photographs threw light on last years of British rule but didn't get the recognition.

Moreover, he captured off-the-cuff moments of great leaders making them approachable figures.

Traces of mainstream history, the photos include portraits of iconic personalities inspiring demonstrations, epoch making meetings and rare glimpses into the lives of famous leaders.

Roy's photos depicts rare glimpses of pre and post -Independence era and freedom fighters who have endured many years of conflict.

Some of them...

Roy documented the visit of Gandhi to meet Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan in the North East frontier province, visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to India in 1941, Simla Conference in 1945 , Muslim League metings, fund raising by Gandhiji , building of Bhakra dam and visits of dignitaries.

In 1947 Mohammad Ali Jinnah was startled, when a woman photographer landed at his feet as she fell down from packing case while taking his picture. The photograph printed in Statesman is almost identical to the image in this photo exhibition.

Nationalist movement was gathering momentum in India largely tracing mainstream politics through poRtraits , Gandhi exchanging jokes with press coresspondents after his talks with Viceroy Lord Wavell in 1947.Wonderful images of Mahatma Gandhi collecting money from a woman for Harijan fund, Mahatma Gandhi addressing members of INA at Harijan colony Delhi have been captured by Roy .

Mr Karan Singh lit the lamp and inaugurated the exhibition . '' Creative symbiosis developing between IGNCA and ICCA deals with photographs from 1940 to 1960. It's just a tiny fraction of huge collection that Kulwant Roy had left. Treasure lies awaiting to be discovered . Gandhi standing with lathi and Jinnah with a cigarrete tells the story of India's partition,'' he said.

Aditya Arya ,the curator said ''This exhibition is a tribute to the photographer Kulwant Roy (we called him Mamaji) . The collection was languishing in the state of neglect and we needed to protect it .Through this platform we want to encourage the archiving of post Independence photography.'' Sabeena stated ''Stories that emerged from the margins of the frames are amazing , moments of ethos and pathos such as Nehru hugging Pamela Mountbatten.'' The camera moved out of the studios into streets and portable speed graphics , leica made it possible for the photographers to be present at every moment..

UNI