It is not only Japan which is in focus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign tour. For a week from today, foreign embassies of various countries will be in focus at Alliance Francaise and Goethe Zentrum. Telling a story through pictures is self-taught photographer Lalit Verma. Lalit calls the photographs a ‘god’s gift.’ “I consider myself very lucky. Not many get these kinds of gifts in life,” he exults. For a MBA graduate and former TATA group executive, photography was indeed a unique gift, a hobby which he pursued in his free time. The photographs were part of the coffee-table book – Delhi’s Diplomatic Domains – Chanceries and Residencies of Chankyapuri by Gladys Abnkwa-Meier-Klodt.
Founder and curator of Aurodhan Art Gallery in Pondicherry, Lalit says it was exciting to get access to these embassies in Delhi and photograph them. “It is a rare opportunity to get entry into these chanceries and residencies and picture them. These pictures are not just about the architecture. They bring out the culture and history,” he states. Lalit calls the experience overwhelming to see these places situated on the 35 acres of land at Chanakyapuri next to Rashtrapati Bhavan. “The land was given to the countries based on the relationship India shared. It was exciting to see a mosque inside the Sudanese embassy, a beautiful cinema hall inside the campus of Slovakia or a church in the Holy Vatican embassy,” he shares.
Lalit was also bowled over by the hospitality of Pakistan’s ambassador. “His hospitality was the best among all the embassies I visited,” he says with a smile and adds, “In fact all the ambassadors and friends opened up their houses for a rare glimpse.”
Lalit recalls a shot in Sweden’s embassy. “When I was shooting there, a beam of light fell on the wall giving the effect of a lightning. It was like god’s grace falling on the wall. One can plan many technical shots with a modern camera but these kinds of unexpected moments are very special,” he says. His photographs have received rave reviews. “One gentleman wanted to buy a work and reserved it. But without waiting, he ran to get the money,” he says. Lalit promises there will be more trips to Hyderabad as there are ‘lots and lots of invitations.’ “People have become very rich but their tastes have not improved,” he says on Hyderabad’s art scene. On a parting note, he says, “These photographs are not about showcasing the technical space. It’s about the place and its presence.”
The exhibition ‘Delhi’s Diplomatic Domains’ is on till September 8 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.