A photo exhibition which has over the years become a highlight of the annual Summer Festival in this hill station got underway at the Horticulture complex here on Monday.
The ten-day exhibition was inaugurated by the Nilgiris Collector, Archana Patnaik.
With its reputation preceding it, the exhibition became a much discussed event on the opening day itself. Among the photographs displayed are rare shots of various parts of the Blue Mountains taken over the decades from the collection of the Kannerimukku-based Nilgiri Documentation Centre.
The exhibits under the title “Misty Memories of the Blue Mountains” provide a clear picture of how the Nilgiris appeared before the compulsions of development took charge and priorities shifted. Among them are over a century-old rare pictures of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Charing Cross, Saint Stephen's Church etc.
Speaking to The Hindu , some of the visitors opined that not only the tourists but also the residents should see the pictures.
The exhibition also features many photographs taken by nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Among them are pictures of landslides which left a trail of destruction here late last year. There are also some paintings.
After going round the exhibition Ms. Patnaik said that pictures of how this hill station looks now should be kept alongside the old photographs as it would give an opportunity for the people to compare.
