By Anand Holla


When traversing India’s scenic landscapes and nature, photographers usually stick to one aspect or element because of the multi-dimensional complexion of the country. Three Qatari photographers, however, have accomplished the exceptional by distilling the essence and also the many hues and moods of two Indian states in 42 photographs.
Titled Indoi – which means India in Greek – a month-long photography exhibition was opened on Sunday evening at Katara. The exhibition features 42 pictures taken by Qatari photographers Hamad al-Shemmari, Abdulla Anwari and Ameera Fareed, across Rajasthan in the north and Kerala in the south, throwing light on both cultural nuances and the natural beauty of these places.
The three Qatari photographers spent nearly a month in India to take the pictures that are now on display. Indian Ambassador to Qatar Sanjiv Arora, who opened the exhibition, told Community, “I am delighted to see this wonderful photographic exhibition by three young, creative Qatari photographers. I would like to heartily congratulate them for having beautifully portrayed the natural beauty, cultural diversity and the day-to-day lives of people, especially in rural areas in two of India’s most colourful states – Kerala and Rajasthan.”
This is the third time that Qatar Photographic Society (QPS) has organised an exhibition on India. Arora said, “We deeply appreciate the encouragement and support given by QPS to photographers to visit India, and travel through various regions. Such exhibitions would further enhance awareness on tourism from Qatar to India and we always support such initiatives.”
When asked about his favourites from the lot, Arora said it would be difficult to pick one. “Every photo is engaging, each one of them. However, two photos readily come to my mind – one is of children attending a class in a school in rural Rajasthan, and another of the tea estates of Munnar in Kerala. Ahmed Youssef al-Khulaifi (Chairman of the Board of Directors of QPS) told me that he admires the work that the workers at the tea estate do, and how immaculately manicured these tea estates look.”