Thursday, May 08, 2008
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Thank You Note
Picture this photographer. A photographer who not only goes click click with his camera but also clicks with his subjects like they have known each other always.
Knowing colleagues closely rarely throws up anything more than typical, predictable encounters. Finding a chance to work with someone non-temperamental, perceptive, receptive and professional is a pleasure that is surpassed by few things in working life.
My honour to meet Harsha – one such professional. He does not complain about heat or hunger or lack of sleep. Or miles to walk or bumpy, sweaty rides across rough terrain. Not crowded trains or shabby hotel rooms. He sits patiently through long-winded interviews, boring presentations and issues that are virtually greek and latin to him. He impassively yet kindly responds to weirdos of all hues and shapes, enthusiastically shoots the remotely interesting ones and passionately absorbs the beautiful ones.
A walk on a winding hill road, lined by cashew trees; A ride in a sarkari jeep through mountains, steamy one moment and lustrous the other as a gentle shower picks out the rocks among the satiny trees; An evening spent watching sun-kissed Godavari and languid fishing boats delving idly into the waters; fragrance of jasmines colouring the breeze from the river and attuned by chatter of women, gossiping without sting. Midnight chat on a train, congested with snoring men and bawling babies, as it chugs through the bridge on the river; Eating a spicy snack on the riverbank - a chunk from childhood nostalgia - a burnt breakfast in a ramshackle café in a small town, a bus ride on a straight-line highway, squeezing into low huts, spreading into sprawling forests – the journey is made up of many vintage snapshots and Harsha shares it and makes it even more memorable.
His subjects are as charmed by him as he is curious of their context. They pose for him - - bare-bottomed kids, toothless grandmothers, synthetically made-up sex workers, innocent villagers, strait-jacketed officials, young men and women - as he orders them to and he gives them solemn advice.
Attentive companion, sensitive friend. Intelligent researcher, interesting conversationalist. A worthy opponent in quibbles. Someone who sieves through every moment of life, without missing the details. Open to ideas, adamant on functionalities. Firm on principles, malleable to situations.
Working in tandem with a thorough professional is a pleasure that is rarely surpassed in working life. Thank you, Harsha, for agreeing to be on that trip.
Knowing colleagues closely rarely throws up anything more than typical, predictable encounters. Finding a chance to work with someone non-temperamental, perceptive, receptive and professional is a pleasure that is surpassed by few things in working life.
My honour to meet Harsha – one such professional. He does not complain about heat or hunger or lack of sleep. Or miles to walk or bumpy, sweaty rides across rough terrain. Not crowded trains or shabby hotel rooms. He sits patiently through long-winded interviews, boring presentations and issues that are virtually greek and latin to him. He impassively yet kindly responds to weirdos of all hues and shapes, enthusiastically shoots the remotely interesting ones and passionately absorbs the beautiful ones.
A walk on a winding hill road, lined by cashew trees; A ride in a sarkari jeep through mountains, steamy one moment and lustrous the other as a gentle shower picks out the rocks among the satiny trees; An evening spent watching sun-kissed Godavari and languid fishing boats delving idly into the waters; fragrance of jasmines colouring the breeze from the river and attuned by chatter of women, gossiping without sting. Midnight chat on a train, congested with snoring men and bawling babies, as it chugs through the bridge on the river; Eating a spicy snack on the riverbank - a chunk from childhood nostalgia - a burnt breakfast in a ramshackle café in a small town, a bus ride on a straight-line highway, squeezing into low huts, spreading into sprawling forests – the journey is made up of many vintage snapshots and Harsha shares it and makes it even more memorable.
His subjects are as charmed by him as he is curious of their context. They pose for him - - bare-bottomed kids, toothless grandmothers, synthetically made-up sex workers, innocent villagers, strait-jacketed officials, young men and women - as he orders them to and he gives them solemn advice.
Attentive companion, sensitive friend. Intelligent researcher, interesting conversationalist. A worthy opponent in quibbles. Someone who sieves through every moment of life, without missing the details. Open to ideas, adamant on functionalities. Firm on principles, malleable to situations.
Working in tandem with a thorough professional is a pleasure that is rarely surpassed in working life. Thank you, Harsha, for agreeing to be on that trip.
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