Haryana -Veteran Photographers On the day of World Photography Day. I may selectively recall only three names (all in heavenly abode nowadays): (i) Shari Bharat Dilwali (ii)Shri Lajpat Rai Grover, and (iii) Shri Yog Santosh K Joy Four years ago when I undertook research and documented the history of photography in Haryana, only a few names were known but my research yielded a long list from which I preferred to mention only a handful. Not only the quality of their work (that was not enormous in the days of negative and positive films) was a criteria but the technique, the impressions about artistic elements, topics and the zeal for exploration and dedication was the criteria. A short note about this was published beautifully in Haryana Review, a monthly magazine, published by Haryana Samvad Society substantially financed and supported by Department of Public Affairs in Haryana. Bharat Dilwani, father of Shri Ashok Dilwali, belonged to Nuh a small town south of Gurgaon on the highway to Alwar and was engaged in the mid-1950s by the renowned Prof. Mahender Singh Randhawa, ICS, Deputy Commissioner of Delhi in 1947 and later Commissioner of Chandigarh (He also remained Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research) to traverse the length and breadth of the rural areas of erstwhile Punjab and take photographs of the life and activities of the countrymen. He succeeded in submitted a large number of photographs taken on B & W from which prints of 20X30 size were prepared in large numbers and were distributed for display in public buildings such as PWD Guest Houses, College and District Libraries etc. Regrettably, the negatives of these photographs are not traceable. Mr Yog Joy was a product from Rohtak and I had met him on a couple of occasions. He used to worked as Staff Photographer for The Tribune, Chandigarh and contributed to an appreciable degree. The Third one is Mr Lajpat Rai Grover used to run a shop that sold all sorts of photographic merchandise. He and many others had formed Rohtak Photographic Club that became defunct sometime in 1971. The club members were enthusiasts and used to undertake tours for doing outdoor photography. Its members earned several accolades at individual Salon events. However, mention can also be made of Mr Ashok Gupta of Hisar and Raj Kishan Nain of Ajaib village in dist. Rohtak who did commendable work. [I wish that Photographic History of other States of India is also documented in which friends can show some interest]
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:47:31 +0000