A photograph of a memorial made from human skulls and bones to remember those Cambodians who perished in the killing fields during Pol Pot’s regime was juxtaposed with the beauty, mystery and grandeur of Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monument in the world. It drew visitors to marvel at the history of Cambodia at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre.
The photograph was part of a collection taken by photographer, writer and senior IPS officer Somesh Goyal titled “Mystiques of Angkor Wat”.
The exhibition was a visual journey into the history of Khmer kingdom, one of the great powers of South-East Asia, that, driven by spiritual devotion and architectural ambition, build many temples that are nine centuries later still admired by visitors from across the world.
Goyal’s photography captured details of the architectural marvel, including not only wide shots of the temple complex in different light conditions but also took a closer look at the intricate sculptures, stone carvings and detailing.
Goyal, an IPS Officer of 1984 batch, who a few months back held an exhibition of his wildlife photographs, moved to a different subject this times around and continues to fuel his passion for travel and photography.
The exhibition was opened by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju. After taking a walk around the exhibition, he said he was now inspired to visit Cambodia. He also spoke about the connection between India’s history and culture and the similarities we can see in the Angkor Wat complex.
The exhibition concluded on Saturday.
