We know that Henri Cartier Bresson is greatest French photographer who is well known for his being in right time at right place. But do you know, he was also been to Hyderabad and captured ‘Operation Polo’.
Kandukuri Ramesh Babu
Many people remember the picture of Jawaharlal Nehru announcing Mahatma Gandhi’s death at Birla House in New Delhi and that was taken by HBC (Henri Cartier Bresson). Not only that, but he photographed dozens of luminaries. He seemed to know everyone and to see everything of importance throughout the middle decades of the century. Besides India, he visited to China, Indonesia, Egypt, Cuba and the Soviet Union and captured many images that recall the history. Even the term has come to be associated with him is ‘the decisive moment’ which means to capture the significance of an event with precise organization of forms. And indeed it is time to remember him for he was here in the same week of the year 1948.
In fact, we have seen many pictures of Raja Deen Dayal portraying places, people and monuments of Hyderabad. But here are two works of Henri Cartier Bresson, exposed in Hyderabad. One show the native people of Telangana and another portrays the glorious Golconda fort, both captured in the year 1948. And it is come to known that He was here in Hyderabad at the times of ‘Operation polo’, the essayist clarified from his foundation.
We all know that Henri Cartier-Bresson was considered to be the father of modern photo journalism, and the master of candid photography. His style has influenced generations of photographers that followed. He is one of the founders of Magnum photo agency.
His fascination with India over half a lifetime contains the very best of his photographs of our nation. Beginning in 1947 at the time of Independence and produced during six extended visits over a twenty-year period, he captured so many beautiful, dramatic images that reflect the very spirit of India. And we are lucky that he also been to Hyderabad, but only three of his captures are are available.
It is interesting to note that this essayist confirmed from Henri Cartier Bresson’s Foundation that the he came to Hyderabad at the time of ‘Operation Polo‘ and captured five rolls of pictures, but they are not yet published. The man taking pictures at the zeep of the army people at the ‘Operation polo’ is none other than Mr.Henri cartier Bresson, they said.
“Henri Cartier Bresson indeed photographed the police action. But his photographs have not been published and he did not print them. He took 5 rolls of photographs, and we know that he was there (Hyderabad) from the 15 th of September through the the 21st. There is no print of these images but only contact-sheets.’’ Raimbault explained.
Aude Raimbault, in charge of collections, Foundation Henri Cartier Bresson’ replied that, “Henri Cartier Bresson indeed photographed the police action. But his photographs have not been published and he did not print them. He took 5 rolls of photographs, and we know that he was there (Hyderabad) from the 15 th of September through the the 21st. There is no print of these images but only contact-sheets.’’ Raimbault explained. And he even clarified that the man in the picture exposing was the master himself. He also confirmed that The Life magazine photographs on Operation polo were not done by Henri Cartier Bresson.
This information affirms that Henri Cartier Bresson been to our city and he might have captured these two pictures while he was at the time of ‘Operation Polo.’ Both these pictures published in the book named ‘Herni Cartier Bresson in India’
The famous film director and artist Sathyajit Ray wrote foreword to this book. And he explains, “The first trip Cartier Bresson made to India was in the late forties. At least, I have not seen any photograph dated earlier than 1947. It was probably the partition which drew him to India. But he soon found himself confronted by a second major political event-the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. This led to a series of memorable photographs of the funeral”
But, however “majority of Bresson’s Indian photographs has nothing to do with political events. Most of them show ordinary people in their daily lives.” And, we are Lucy enough that he also captured few photographs in Hyderabad.
In the photograph, we can see the people looking towards the photographer with their turbans and beating drums and in the above photograph, we find our Golkonda fort.
It is regarded that perhaps no other photographer been able to capture the essence of an individual’s character and nation’s spirit with as much artistry as the Henri Cartier Bresson.
It is regarded that perhaps no other photographer been able to capture the essence of an individual’s character and nation’s spirit with as much artistry as the Henri Cartier Bresson. And here are his tokens and in one image we can feel the spirit of the Dalits/Harijans in celebration ( it also seems that they may be ‘Kurma’ cast people) and in another picture we find the grandeur of our monument. Of course, even we can see the master’s deep rooted humanity besides his great composition in geometrical terms. Both pictures are lovely gifts of Hyderabadis, to mark his honor.
Since the inception of Camera, many photographers studied and captured people and places throughout the world. But, Henri Cartier Bresson is a master photographer, whose unique skill and vision raised the art of photography in a memorable way with deep regard for humanity. We also find a sense of history in his images.
Like Henri Cartier Bresson, many foreign photographers visited Hyderabad. But we have to search for those works because; they show the history in a truest manner.
Even our great Indian photographer Sunil Janah documented Telangna arm struggle but we have not made any connection to him until his death. But, we have to be thankful for the grand children of Raja Deen Dayal, to make his great works available for generations to come.
One of the remarkable essay by telupu tv.com.
Sep 17 and Bresson are unforgettable.
Thank you for your appreciation pl.