Through the lens, Delhi's hidden aura

An exhibition comprising exquisite photographs of Delhi recently went up at the foyer of the Dillli O Dilli restaurant at the India Habitat Centre. Asim Patel, the man behind the lens and the exhibition that opened to the public from February 1 till the last day of the month, got candid with Metrolife as he spared a few minutes from his tiring and unforgiving schedule.

A man who has been residing in the Hauz Khas Village for over 40 years now, Patel can safely say that he has been one of the bystanders who have seen Delhi evolve over the years, shedding its skin, as a serpent might, to bring out a newer coat. Photographing for almost 25 years now, Patel spoke to Metrolife about how the metamorphosis of the city has happened gradually while giving the feeling that it has happened overnight.

“For too many of us Delhizens, the flow of daily life steals away the visual delights strewn around the splendid legacy of our ancient megacity. Whether burnished by a daily golden sun or bejewelled by a monthly bulbous moon, the history that surrounds us succeeds in drawing out sighs from residents and visitors alike, at the beauty that lives on unnoticed in so many Delhiscapes” Patel confessed.

“It would be a wonderful thing, both for the people and the city, if we could actually take some time to appreciate the beauty and culture that this spectacular city has to offer its people. But then, people rarely even have time to breathe” he said.

With this exhibition, Patel wants to establish Delhi as a bubbling cauldron brimming with cultural and artistic diversity that can be the best food for a soul. While many may feel that the rigours of living in this big city can beat out the beauty of life, he feels that if seen in the right way, everything in Delhi has allure; enough to inspire most people.

Art advisor, critic and the curator for this particular exhibition, Amrita Varma, too had an interesting input of her own. “Much like his personality, Patel’s compositions bring fresh perspectives to a fading world. For his skill at making the environs breathe life and talk in various monologues through elements within the image, Patel’s photography is an art in the making to be watched out for” said Varma.
Patel’s travel over the years for work and leisure has let him gaze upon the face of many delightful places, meeting people that were fascinating, to say the least, as he went around. He has plans for another expanded exhibition at the India Habitat Centre in the month of May, which will comprise a wider collection of his works from the past. It will be related to Patel’s personal bucket list which includes a multitude of destinations that he wants to find himself waking up to and while this bucket may be filling up quicker than his opportunities to empty it, he feels that of late some progress has been made.

The exhibition Oooh! Aaah! Delhi! is on at India Habitat Centre till February 28, 10 am-8 pm.