Prashant Panjiar's work formed part of a recent international group show ‘The Self and the Other: Portraiture in Contemporary Indian Photography’ conceptualized by ARTIUM (Vitoria-Gasteiz) and Palau de la Virreina (Barcelona). Now, photography lovers in Mumbai will also get to see his works.
His new series of works ‘Pan India – a shared habitat’ presents a wide array of rural vistas, cityscapes, and various habitats, forming the ubiquitous crosshatch of rampant urbanization.
Culled from his vast body of work, it raises pointed queries about notions of development. The passionate photographer explores the underbelly of India’s faulty development claims, and reminds us of the unprivileged classes by stating, “It (development) becomes exclusive if it’s good for me, or else nothing really matters.”
Here, he brings us closer to ground realities amidst India’s tall claims of development. The artist portrays the sense of dignity the underprivileged class exhibits irrespective of a deprived background and adversities faced. The works put up at the exhibition have all been shot on a panoramic camera and hence the title ‘Pan India’!
On one hand, the apt title suggests the technicality of the images on view and on another, the vast country that serves as the backdrop to them. The photojournalist has taken more than a decade to conceive and snap these panoramic pictures.
Elaborating on the thought process behind them, he states in an interview on eve of the show: “A huge amount of construction has taken place in most Indian cities 2000 onwards. My pictures try to unfold the story of Indians and their mindset at a time when the country is witnessing disproportional growth.”
‘Pan India — a shared habitat’ is on view at the ICIA Gallery located in Kala Ghoda, the art district of South Mumbai from January 25 until February 3, 2010.
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