For photography enthusiasts and art lovers, the imminent weekend at the TLN Sabha Hall, Andhra University, promises to be a compelling display of creative vision and storytelling. A two-day photography exhibition, featuring the works of the ninth batch of students from the university’s Diploma in Photography program, will unfurl an array of landscapes and lifescapes. With a particular emphasis on the raw beauty of landscapes intertwined with the myriad expressions of portrait photography, these 25 students stand poised to mark the successful culmination of their academic journey.
One can anticipate an eclectic blend of images at this exhibition. From the rolling hills and commanding mountains to the calm seascapes and statuesque monuments, each photo bears the unique signature of the place it represents, communicating its mood and spirit with each captured shot.
Samina Sultana’s photo array transports the viewer to far-off locales that burst with natural splendor and intriguing cultural experiences. Within her curation lies an image of Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the planet’s deepest freshwater lake known for its captivating ice formations. Samina recounts her chilling endeavor, walking on thick ice amid the stark Siberian wilderness, describing the ambient noises of the lake’s ice cracking as akin to thunder. Her other photographs offer a rare glimpse into the lives of the Kazakh’s golden eagle hunters in Mongolia’s Altai Mountains, importantly documenting the arduous lifestyle of this dwindling tribe.
The exhibition also takes a turn towards the familiar streets and alleys of Visakhapatnam through the lens of Kotni Deva Sahayam. His frames sensitively capture everyday moments like a laborer balancing the weight of both her job and her child within a single tub or the gentle, focused hands crafting pottery on a spinning wheel. Brainchild of the brick layers and clay molders, Deva’s images resonate with layered emotions and shared experiences from the city’s daily routine.
Further exploring human sentiments, a work by Anita Rao freezes a candid scene of two children caught up in playful chatter. A psychologist by profession, Anita’s perspective is profoundly influenced by her trained eye for behavioral nuances, exemplifying the essence of joyful innocence undisturbed by social etiquettes or adult proceedings.
Focusing on the intricate dance between nature and wildlife, Behara Sharat’s photographs are a rich tapestry of shots taken at the scenic locales like the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park and the breathtaking beaches of Mangamaripeta. Through his imagery, Sharat captures and presents the effortless beauty found in natural surroundings.
Underscoring the importance of photography as an expressive medium, Ravi Kumar, a photography department faculty at Andhra University, elaborates on the passion that photography ignites. He emphasizes that the diploma course instills foundational knowledge about camera operation and the development of a unique photographic perspective. Kumar notes the increased fascination with the craft in recent years, paralleling the surging trend of content creation across social media platforms.
Entitled “Auperturartists,” the photography exhibition extends an open invitation to the public to immerse themselves in a world of images that tell potent and engaging stories. The exhibition is scheduled to open its doors at TLN Sabha Hall within the university campus on March 30 and 31, between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm, promising an enriching experience that transcends the realms of conventional art and enters into the heart of life itself.
