URBAN INDIA
Upon an audience interactive presentation of a similar series on ‘My Urban City’ in London, in 2006, I was awkward when the end was met with complete silence. Rapidly spinning fearful thoughts of “how bad could my work be”, I finally heard a murmur from a lady who said – “I had never expected to see this kind of India.” And I was taken aback.
I too, had never expected people from the first world to not be updated on India, a country that has in the past 8 years had a huge influx of foreign immigrants, moving in search of employment and a comfortable lifestyle. I had also presumed that we were so much in the news (for better or for worse), that they had to know, or at least be curious about India as its emergence as a diverse, conflicted yet a powerful and very popular country. India, the largest democracy in the world, had also in 2005 opened up the FDI policy and allowing investment stakes up to 100%, so economy wise we were beneficial to all, including the media.
Quickly, another gentleman added – “We are only used to seeing images of the Taj Mahal, the beautiful and exotic rural men and women. We have never seen this side of India, which if I may say so, is not very different from our own contemporary generation.” Others quickly added their agreements to that critique.
I agree the ‘exotica’ exists and is like no other. Our history is a heritage I am proud of. But that isn’t all. India is probably one of the fastest developing nations in the world. And it is surprising to say the least, when most believe that we are still stuck in the ‘colonial; times. There are anecdotal stories about how some Britishers at the Heathrow in 2004, were ready to travel to India believing that they didn’t require a Tourist Visa. It is either the exotica – the villages, the mustard fields, the camels, the chaos, the snake charmers. OR it is spirituality -a term used to describe India’s biggest characteristic and ironically we ourselves don’t know what it really means. But these are the terms, which have formed our identity and the extremely profitable tourism industry thrives on only such. However, we are one of the oldest civilisations, owners of one of the seven wonders of the world, it is worth a peek and therefore selling popular history as tourism is perhaps valid.
Nonetheless, I confess, I was both disappointed and pleased after my presentation. Disappointed by the ‘first world’s’ unfamiliarity with global trends, and pleased because I had shown them something they had never seen before. A normal life around me.
In Big City environments, most of us are migrants, from different towns, small and big, religions, cultures, creeds, skin and colour. And we have become more tolerant and accepting, working and playing together under the singular umbrella of Diverse India. Other than the fact that we are Indian, and we have managed to straddle liberal as well as conservative beliefs with flair, there is no other identity. Even though political parties are always trying to sway us otherwise.
India may have found its urbanism only two generations ago, but, since the general opinion and information in the west is that India is still only exotic, and for some, not even yet independent, this photo essay is an attempt to question that opinion.These are some of the cities I have visited in India; some personally, some on commission. I photograph what is true to my times. This is my world, my bubble. Some are friends, some acquaintances and very few remain strangers.
Nice one,Good piece of writing.
Have to say you have only given your audience a glimpse. But glad to note that you are not showing the cliched india – the snakes, the sadhus, the slums..
Rajesh, Thank you so much for your amazing words. You are a star at compliments :).
Thank you for your words on the FB mail about Indian Memory too. Will await your images for it.
Warm regards
Anusha
Dear Anusha,
I have seen your photographs on this website and the only word to describe them and you probably is ‘fearlessness’. The total lack of fear and a innate capacity to perceive reality “AS IS” without varnishing.
Keep doing the good work. You have found a huge fan of your work.
Regards,
Rajesh
was searching for cover photo of “Sara Aakash” and ran into this ! was great, i was able to relate to the theme and thus was able to connect.
keep it up, you are doing a great job by representing the India I know.
came across the site randomly and was blown away. Awesome pics…keep clicking.
[...] by photog Anusha Yadav (hey small world I know that girl, she’s the one that took this picture of me!) to cool samples of Karsh Kale tunes and an artist profile. Only thing is I [...]
Very interesting post. Interesting thoughts. And an interesting theme to photograph. The urban theme reminded me of Pablo’s series I once saw at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bombay.
Urban Indians could in turn be as removed from rural or semi-rural India as much as foreigners are, so even they might find ‘exoticism’ in what they see of the “other India”, their realm rarely intersecting with lives of the “other India”.
Media’s use of ‘exotic’ is an attribute geared for ‘understanding’ by foreigners. I doubt if an Indian will find anything exotic in something he sees regularly.
I think each will plough the furrow according to what each gravitates to. The more the merrier.
[...] fusion of lifestyles.” Umm, I thought everybody already knew this?! I guess it just goes to show Anusha Yadav was right! A lot of people still think of India as a rural cultural treasure trove and don’t ever [...]
I like and identify with your essay and love your pictures of ‘normal’ India.
:-)