INDIA: A Hundred Years, 100 Tales

Abhilasha Ojha checks out an interesting photography project that profiles 40 centenarians from in and around Delhi NEW DELHI (Business Standard), December 1, 2007: When Harbans Mody began working on an idea of taking portrait shots of Delhi’s centenarians, he didn’t come back with only photographs. On the contrary, this photographer, with nearly three decades of experience in advertising, came back making invaluable relationships, not just with his models but also with their families. “The project, right from its inception, took me almost two years to complete. It showed me not just the faces of these old people but entire lives of citizens who had belonged to Hindustan,” says Mody, whose exhibition was a part of the recently-concluded India International Trade Fair (IITF), 2007, New Delhi. While people flocked to the Delhi Pavilion at the fair to take a look at his work, Mody looked visibly relaxed, peering at the exhaustive comments in his guest book. This, even as a group of youngsters clamoured at his desk for extra booklets on the project and a septuagenarian came in to simply laud the effort. “I’m glad my efforts paid off. Right from the time of visiting the Election Commission’s office to narrowing the list to 40, locating the centenarians and convincing them to pose for the pictures, I had a dreary but challenging task,” he laughs. Apart from it being unusual as an idea, Mody’s pictures of these 40 men and women are unique as the photographer lets his works do all the talking. While some of the subjects may look somewhat tired, they are far from being out. Behind their wrinkles lie the most beautiful of faces, enigmatic, full of magnetism. Not surprisingly, Mody got a terrific response at the IITF. Though it may be too early to comment, he says his work may just be showcased in New York. “What has aroused interest is also the fact that I didn’t resort to any digital photography, shooting these photos on my Hasselblad 500 cm camera,” he says. Reiterating that the experience has taught him a lot, he feels sorry that some of the centenarians photographed are no longer alive. “But some of them are still healthy because of their impeccable eating habits,” he adds, citing the example of centenarian Mawasi Ram, who only drinks water from a well near his house. Ram, in fact, told Mody about his meeting with Jawaharlal Nehru when he convinced the prime minister to abolish an extra tax on tractors. “The task, I was told, was achieved in just one week,” he adds. Then, there is Sundri Devi who, despite being old, has managed to start a school for children in her village in Rajasthan. “They know an India that we, or our children, or our children’s children, will never see. After living in the days of the British Raj and witnessing Partition, I’m amazed they still manage to relate to the changing face of India,” says Mody. For someone who dreams of seeing a community centre for senior citizens, Mody is naturally glad that his efforts (“I’ve spent every paisa on my own”) have finally paid off. He’s hoping to meet these amazing centenarians once again, this time for a documentary. While that could take some time, for now, Mody’s given us a reason to look up to some of our country’s oldest and salute them. By Abhilasha Ojha Business Standard Ltd. Copyright _________________________________________________________________________ Earlier Report NEW DELHI (Hindustan Times), November 25, 2007: Photo essay on city's 100-yr-olds Delhi's 40 centenarians have met on a common platform of pictures. Their faces were part of a photography exhibition titled Dilli Ki Shaan (Pride of Delhi) at the India International Trade Fair. The man behind the lens was Harbans Mody, who came up with the concept of Brotherhood through Mutual Respect and Understanding - the theme of the exhibition. "We are because of our elders. These elders survived to tell their tales because of the love and affection they received from their children and grandchildren," Mody told Hindustan Times at his stall. The message of the exhibition on the 40 people who had crossed 100 - conceptualised in 2005 - was that a "family which is united can bear the fruits of togetherness", Mody said. His one and a half years of research through pictures got generous praise from former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who called it "a profound message". "Thanks to the Election Commission, which supplied me the list of these people," Mody said, while explaining how he went about finding out the addresses of Delhi's 40 centenarians. His search for his 40 subjects took Mody down some of the narrowest by-lanes of the city. In some cases, the entire geography of a locality had changed since the last time the address was noted down by the authorities. "But reaching there and finding a happy smiling elderly person surrounded by a family was such joy," Mody said. "Irrespective of their economic backgrounds or religion, one thing common was that the children and the grandchildren in these families showed huge respect towards the elderly." "I remember a bahu taking such good care of her father-in-law. I think, this is what my photo exhibition tries to convey." "In today's world of disintegrating families, nuclear families, it is the love and respect for the elders at home that will do the trick," Mody said. There was one old person, who complained that his pension was not enough. So when Mody met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, he told her about the matter. Result: the pension amount for people over 100 was increased. Some of Mody's 40 faces were present in the Lalit Kala Academy Gallery the first time the pictures were put on display in January. Since the photo exhibition at the trade fair was for a cause, Mody said, the photographs are not for sale. "The message - love and care for your elders - should go across, that will be my reward," he adds humbly. Copyright HT Media Ltd.