Editor's Favorites

Last Updated: November 16, 2024

Introduction

I am often asked which are my favorite topics at Kamat's Potpourri. I am listing some of them below, by providing my reasons for liking them. Some of them are pictures, and some are complete sub-sections of the site.

--Vikas Kamat

Peace Corps Volunteer and the Cowherd
Although it is I who matched the story to the photograph, the boy's comments make mockery of modern living in one swift sentence.

A Letter From Plassey
This is a fine example of  the thousands of  letters that were exchanged between my father and mother during their years of  long-distance marriage. It shows the helplessness of living with India's poor, and the resiliency of Indian life.

"What is Nuclear Testing?"
We published this picture on the day India tested a nuclear device in 1998.  I personally know the tribal man in broken eye glasses. He belongs to a tribe called Halakki, who in general lead a life of poverty and exploitation. We wanted to put the new found ability of a nation in the context of its general population.

The Faces of India
I think the photographer has brought out the inherent diversity of Indian people, the hardships of Indian life, their deep rooted culture in these portraits. They are very special to me not because I know many of them personally, but because on many occasions they are the only photographs taken during their lifetime! Many of the models have since passed away and Kamat's photographs are the only pictures left of them for their families.

Modern Kannada Writers
Due to the privileges of my birth, I have met many of these great men and women and consider myself fortunate to have been influenced by them. As I see them, I even remember their conversation at the time. Although the Kannada language has a long history, for some mysterious reason, some of the greatest of Kannada writers (of all time) belonged to my time!

"Who Said the Poor Can't be Happy?"
I have not seen all the 200,000 photographs taken by my father, but in my opinion, this portrait of a tribal woman is among the best photographs taken by him. The cloth on her head is not her clothing, but a pad to carry  heavy loads of wood from the forest. Notice her heavy jewelry worn in lieu of a blouse, and the whole hearted smile.

Gandhi Photo Quilt
Ever since I saw a photo-mosaic in a commercial many years ago, I was obsessed with creating one. When I inquired I was told that it would cost over $100,000 at the time! My research led to latest technology developments on digital pictures and I was very proud after completing this PhotoQuilt of Gandhi. There is a larger picture which illustrates the complex composition.

Kamat on Kamasutra
I think this series provides a very fresh perspective on the Erotic Arts of India. Kamat has dug up pictures from most obscure of ancient sculptures and from remotest corners of India for this fine series. Pictures inappropriate for general audience will be made available in the future via a pay-per-view system, but over a hundred of them are online.

See Also:

• My favorite Books