Religion

rug

(82,333 posts) Mon Apr 2, 2012, 11:23 AM Apr 2012

Following lensmen to find faith

Anjali Dawar, Hindustantimes.com
New Delhi, March 31, 2012

A quartet set out on a quest. A spiritual quest. One, an atheist another a bedouin and the other two torchbearers of faith. The four chose one common platform - a photo exhibition - to share their inner voices.

Sanjay Nanda is more of an onlooker and less of a participant when it comes to rituals and religion. The brochure meant for press consumption states in a matter-of-fact tone about him - His exploration of faith is from the point of view of an outsider - a non-believer. A graphic designer by profession this almost-50 (didn't give me his exact age) has an unflinching faith in atheism. His private ditty seems to lie in culling unpretentious images from his milieu and floating them in space, unaffectedly. He is perhaps an outsider who doesn't impose his opinions on those around him. He seems to believe in the dictum "let's agree to disagree."

He says he can't help clicking if he has a camera in his hand. What struck me as odd and interesting at the same time was that he is almost nonchalant when it comes to his approach, his method. He is clinical to put it succinctly. While clicking he is only interested in the colours and contours of the subject.

I've embedded two images, to foreground and reinforce the photographer's belief. 'My Cultural Identity' is as universal to Hinduism as any other symbol but it is stark and devoid of pretence. The group unanimously agrees that this one image is one of their favourites. In another one 'Soaked in Colour' you can almost spot Sanjay Nanda clicking away without immersing or flowing with the throng.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Art/Following-lensmen-to-find-faith/Article1-833511.aspx