Senior Citizen Photographer
Page Last Updated: August 20, 2024
Bangalore
September 29th, 1999
Dear Vikas,
Kamat writes about his 65th birthday resolution. |
Today I turn 65, thus becoming a senior citizen, and I feel that
I've reached an important stage in my life. I've never desired power, wealth, or
luxury, yet I must say that I have had a very happy and fulfilling life. In the
coming years, all I want to do is to remain healthy and work hard.
This week I've embarked on a new approach to photography. It is possible to do
this because of my advancing years. Every day we see so many people and interact
with them, yet we do not examine them closely. Each one of these people has his
or her unique personality and idiosyncrasies. On most occasions the person in
question has not comprehended his or her own uniqueness. It has long been my
dream to capture this individuality in my photographs, but it has not been easy
to convince strangers to become subjects of photography and obtain their
consent. But now that I am a senior citizen, people look at me with much more
sympathy and honor my requests more readily. "Can I take a picture?"
"I want to finish this reel. Can I take your portrait?” I ask them. Most
people, rather than refusing, ask me for the purpose of the pictures. If I get
to this stage, half the battle is won! "I have been buying vegetables from
you for so many years, and I would like to keep your picture." "The
people of Mumbai want to know how flowers are sold in Bangalore." "I
have taken your friend Seetamma's photo, and I want to take yours."... I
have these pre-planned responses ready to use when necessary. When they ask me
"Will you give me a copy if I pay you?" it means that they have agreed
to let me click! Many a time, if I photograph a woman because of her peculiar
looks, she summons her friend, sister, and family, and I have to take their
pictures as well. The secondary pictures, although not wanted by me, come in
handy for distributing among the subjects of my photographs. I usually show the
picture of one professional -- such as a policeman or a cobbler -- to another of
same profession, and this seems to work quite well as a ruse. I have clicked
hundreds of these pictures in the last few days, but I cannot say that all of
them are useful for your website. I am sending just a few of them with this
letter.
Our society is changing at a very rapid pace. I want to document life in India
in the 20th century. Many British photographers and artists similarly documented
18th and 19th century India, and today these records and works of art have proved to be a
very valuable source of social history. I do not know how much of my dream will
come true, but I am trying earnestly to capture these dying moments of the
century on film. Only time will tell if I have been successful.
Yours affectionately,
Bappa
See Also:
- Letters to a Soul Mate - Foreword
- Faces of India -- Photographic exhibition at Kamat's Potpourri
- Indians of the Twentieth Century Project at Kamat's Potpourri
- Senior Citizens of India