For most of us, reading or hearing about history is admittedly not amongst the most popular of pastimes. A cinematic recreation or a novel, with heightened dramatic effects, can lure but also distort and disturb. Perhaps it is the most direct links with out history that has a power to hold us in thrall. For what can beat the thrill of seeing a picture of the Taj when still surrounded by beautiful orchards, or stolen moments from Gandhi?s hectic daily schedule captured for eternity by Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The third part of ?A Historical Epic: India in the Making?, has archival material exhibited in Delhi?s Visual Arts Gallery till August 25. Over the last four months the gallery has also hosted the earlier two parts of the exhibition, which brings together photos, oleographs, woodcuts, linocuts, printed portraits and watercolours from the early Indian printing presses, lithographic prints, posers, lobby cards, even mixed media works from the 1880s to 1950. The first show had put the spotlight on the period that saw the advent of the Europeans in India and the next the period from the 1850s to the 1880s. ?We have a huge amount of material and it was not possible to exhibit them together,? says Osian?s chairperson Neville Tuli. He however is optimistic about showcasing most of Osian?s treasury once his dream project, Osianama opens in Mumbai next year. Bringing alive moments from the struggle against imperialism are visuals propagating nationalism by early printing presses in north and east India ? posters that could and did land their proprietors behind bars on charges of sedition.
The highlight of this exhibition are a group of rare photographs by Cartier-Bresson, some from just minutes before Gandhi?s death. There are also images that capture the outpouring of grief on the Mahatma?s death, including one of Nehru announcing the news to the world.
It?s not often that one gets a chance to glimpse a moment that stands still in time.