Faces of Indian Art: Through the Lens of Nemai Ghosh
The book ‘Faces of Indian Art: Through the Lens of Nemai Ghosh’ takes the reader on a journey that is quite unique. Perhaps for the first time ever, curious art lovers have been allowed an insider's view of how the artists work in their own private domain.
These are intimate images of engrossed artists - at work in their studios. This is a private space of introspection or feverish activity, with each artist in solitude and engaged in dialogue with a piece of art.
The book begins with an introductory chapter by author Ina Puri. Then come the defining moments seen through the skillful snaps of photographer Nemai Ghosh. A perspective on process is presented by Geeti Sen followed by a separate chapter on artists in their studios.
Nemai Ghosh is renowned for his stills of the late legendary Satyajit Ray's films. The photographer and the world renowned filmmaker hardly spoke to each other, yet the two understood each other’s nature perfectly. In fact, the former had access to Ray's home and sets in a way few others did.
Then Nemai Ghosh decided to capture the private moments of recluse artists. The move though wasn’t a planned one. Once he happened to meet artist Manjit Bawa whom he showed some of his transparencies of the painters of Kolkata. At the same time author Ina Puri got involved in the project. The two suggested Nemai Ghosh to expand the scope of his work, and not confine himself to Kolkata and Santiniketan.
Recounting his experiences, Nemai Ghosh has been quoted as saying: “Every artist I snapped had a unique style. Each one of them worked maintaining different postures and had different moods. I became aware how that an artist and his work could create an extraordinary world. I hope some of this is conveyed to the reader through the book.” In the course of his project, Nemai Ghosh reveals to have realized that art was not estranged from reality but grew out of daily life and activities.
He spent considerable time, photographing painters, such as Benodebehari Mukherjee, Jamini Roy to Manjit Bawa, Arpita Singh, sculptors Ramkinkar Baij to Dhruva Mistry at work, as they paint or sculpt. The journey of the ace lensman maps the length and breadth of India and beyond to Paris, where legendary artist S. H. Raza lives.
The book ‘Faces of Indian Art: Through the Lens of Nemai Ghosh’ (edited by Ina Puri. Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi) captures haunting portraits of Somnath Hore in his last days, M.F. Husain busy painting during the shoot, K.G. Subramanyan, Tyeb Mehta, A. Ramachandran, Jogen Chowdhury, Ram Kumar, Nilima Sheikh and others in various postures and moods of introspection, engrossed in their own unique creative processes.
Collaborating on the project, the editor of the book, Ina Puri, along with eminent art historians and art critics including Keshav Malik, R. Siva Kumar, Geeti Sen and Samir Dasgupta explain the deeper connect between artists and their artistic philosophy, merging the textual and visual content to the artist's working process.
Lauding the lensman’s efforts, artist Paritosh Sen has remarked that he is yet to see another photographer working with such dedication and passion. According to him, Nemai Ghosh’s works – both in black & white and color - are of a high standard. By collating such rare photographs and works, the volume is sure an invaluable archival material.
