The world as they saw it...

Mona

Nature and seasons, celebrations and demonstrations, rural and urban life come together in some 110 frames as the Photojournalists Welfare Association puts up a three-day photo exhibition at Punjab Kala Bhawan-16. On the World Photography Day, that falls today, one can see frames from work and leisure moments of Tricity photojournalists.

The special guest gallery has pictures from Punjab’s Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and governor VP Singh Badnore. While the former’s frame captures wild life in its regal glory; nature and tradition come together in the latter’s picture. Veteran lensmen’s clicks also dot this wall. And among these 100 frames, one glimpses life in its full flavour. A farmer sowing paddy; one rider holding reins of four horses, a lovely view of city’s own Eiffel Tower replica; colourful, crowded railway station teeming with people; a funeral matching steps with a political rally; a confused donkey as laughing police men close the road with barricades; a young boy saluting his father who lies covered in Tricolour; our MP Kirron Kher trying to get on the swing; flood, snow, rain... you will see different moods and different shades.

“While every reporter in media works in a particular beat, we have to be like a general physician – master of every discipline,” shares Akhilesh Kumar, president of the association. And this is what this immensely talented group takes pride in. With a camera in every hand now, courtesy deep penetration of mobile phones today, the competition with citizen journalists is something that these veterans take in their stride.

“Yes, everyone is clicking pictures today and we are more than happy taking workshops to share the knowhow of composition, angle and technicalities with amateur photographers.”

This exhibition is also tribute to late S Paul. Inaugurated by Captain Amrinder Singh, the exhibition will conclude on August 20. A total of nine veteran photojournalists - Swadesh Talwar, Karam Singh, Manjit Singh, T. S. Bedi, Anil Puri, R. P. Sharma, Hari Shankar, Narbada Shanker and Santokh Singh will be felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the occasion.

On at Punjab Kala Bhawan-16 till Sunday