Picking up the camera over the police baton when it comes to making a statement - interesting? The results of such a move seem to be even more interesting for us.
A policeman by profession Shiva was always passionate about photography. And this passion has often overpowered his personality more than his profession. It is not unknown to human kind that every individual secretly admires and gets inspired from leaders or legends in their day to day life. But are the inspirations so overpowering that one loses his own individual identity? Cop Shiva’s photography exhibition 'My Life Is My Message' answers these vital questions.
The whole nation was overjoyed to experience Gandhisim when Rajkumar Hirani re-discovered the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi for the celluloid’s in Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Millions must have secretly wished only if Gandhi was alive to guide India once again. But Cop Shiva has re-discovered the father of the nation in 21st century and brings the leader to the capital captured by his lenses.
Bagadehalli Basavaraju, a small town schoolteacher by profession and a staunch believer in Gandhian ideals and has for over a decade, been ‘performing’ the living statue of Gandhi.
What is unique is that he ‘replicates’ the statue of Gandhi by smearing himself with silver paint and then dressing the part with the appropriate costumes and props. Basavaraju’s effort at ‘performing’ Gandhi as a physical presence is an attempt to reinforce Gandhi’s ideals with the sheer power of physical presence – to act as an effective means of imparting Gandhian philosophy to his fellowmen.
The other photo essay is of Vidyasagar, who lives in Shanthi Nagar. An unusual figure in his neighborhood, Vidyasagar is generally identified with MGR – the popular film star/politician – rather than himself. His adoration and love for his favourite film star is so boundless, that he has erased the gap between himself and MG Ramachandran, by obliterating his own identity entirely and virtually ‘becoming’ ‘the other’ in the process.
WHERE: Art Heritage Gallery
WHEN: 25 September to 9 October