HYDERABAD: The ongoing show of photographs by Lakshmi Prabhala at Goethe Zentrum Hyderabad brings forth the permanent and the ever so consistent aspects of the city of Hyderabad. The show titled, ‘Absolute Hyderabad’ celebrates the mundane life of the city as being very special and peculiarly enchanting from the photographer’s perspective.
An independent photographer and writer Lakshmi Prabhala has profusely worked on heritage and travel. The present show contains a set of black and white and coloured photographs clicked by her. Each photograph brings forth a moment from day-to-day life where unknowingly the surroundings, people and other elements, amalgamate and excel in creating a memorable allegory. The unpretentious and natural stances of every person and other supporting aspects grant the works a kind of charm and lively verve that reaches out to the viewers instantly.
The unknown/anonymous people look familiar; they have the intensity to connect to the viewer as a friend and they immediately remind her of the experiences of witnessing similar images and yet these pictures also bring forth an essence which is very novel and fresh in its strengths. In one of the photographs, titled, ‘Time stands still’, a huge clock painted on the shutter of a shop occupies a prominent area of the composition. The right-side corner with a man sitting in a retired and completely passive stance creates a philosophical allegory that enthrals.
Yet another one titled, ‘reel or real life’, depicts a bus in motion with a poster from a movie pasted on it and a woman on the road as she naturally embraces the stride of daily hustle bustle. The actor in the poster, poses in a manner as if shooting the woman on a camera. The stance weaves an interesting combination with a pinch of irony attached to it.
The elements of daily life in some of the bylanes of the city have stood strong and tall for long. Some traditions, beliefs, manners, attitudes and bindings have remained intact while the other parts of the city changed, remained in sync with the demands and adaptations required to be at par with a modern lifestyle. These photographs are contemporary in their style and yet excel in focusing and exemplifying the eternal aspects of the city that have stood the test of time with an unchanging spirit and soul.
The show is on till November 2.