Photo exhibition at NGMA on Bhutan Dec 23-Jan 31

The exhibition, which will open tomorrow and run until January 31 (except on Mondays), also has a premiere showing of the photographic work of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the present King of Bhutan, who will be on a state visit to India this week.

A press release from the Ministry of External Affairs said the intensive research for the exhibition from several private archives also yielded surprise photographic data.

One section of the exhibition deals with the history of photography in Bhutan, showcasing rare pictures from the 19th and early 20th century.

The images, recording the British Mission headed by Mr Ashley Eden to Bhutan in 1864, have never been displayed before. Photographs of Bhutan's first King Ugyen Wangchuk to Calcutta in 1906 and to attend the Delhi Durbar of 1911 are amongst the important archival photographs being exhibited for the first time.

"The use of the photographic image to create a national narrative has several parallels across the world, but to include friends of the nation in this narrative seems to have been enthusiastically imbibed by successive generations of photographers, both in India and Bhutan," the release said.

It said the collection focuses closely upon the visits of political leaders from India to Bhutan and the reciprocal journeys made by Bhutanese leaders to India. The selection of images looks at the genre of documentary and press photographs and the slot created by them in the official narrative of nations.

"The democratizing lens of the camera goes on to capture Bhutan as it steps into the new century and is increasingly visible as the newest entrant to the world’s democracies," it said.

The final section displays the debut photographic oeuvre of King Jigme Khesar. Popularly known as the People's King, he has traversed the length and breadth of his country, often by foot.

"His photographs are both an objective record and personal testimony of his empathy and engagement with his nation. Bhutan remains an idyll, and these transparent pictures are not airbrushed with sentimentality or morphed to disguise lurking shadows," it said.

The exhibition has been curated by Pramod Kumar K G with support from Lily Wangchhuk and Namita Gokhale.

The Indo Bhutan Foundation is co-chaired by Mr Pavan K. Varma, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, and General V. Namgyal, Bhutanese Ambassador to India.

The exhibition is also supported by the Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, the release added.

NNN