The last two frames of ‘Petrichor’, an exhibition of nature photographs by Sajid Aboobakkar, are that of tigers in close-up. One cannot stay and watch them for a minute and admire the ‘fearful symmetry’. Only a closer and deeper look reveals the inherent sadness in the eyes of one and the longing for freedom in the other. The line of trees that reflect in those eyes leaves one thinking why we need to keep them caged.
The exhibition features photographs of some of the most endangered, nearly endangered and vulnerable species of animals and birds in India ranging from the Asiatic Lions to Bengal Tigers to the Neelgiri Tahrs.
Sajid has captured some rare moments that create nothing but adoration and love for these creatures.
“I deliberately avoided some of the gory pictures. It is not revulsion that I want to create in my viewers, but love for the nature, which would force them to keep it unharmed,” he explains the reasons for the cuteness in his photographs.
Sajid took to nature photography a decade ago with only his flair in drawing and painting to help with.
He has bagged many awards, both national and international, since then and feels photography competitions abroad are quite rewarding.
‘Petrichor’ was inaugurated by noted environmentalist P. Shobheendran at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in Kozhikode on Thursday and will conclude on Monday.
