Inauguration of BhāratShakti Exhibition “Hampi – A Photographic Journey”

Date: March 6, 2025

Venue: Ashram Exhibition House, Pondicherry

At the invitation of the Exhibition House of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, the BhāratShakti team organised an Exhibition on the theme: “HAMPI – A Photographic Journey: Tracing the Aesthetics of Perseverance and Valour” as part of its ongoing exploration of the Spirit and Forms of Indian Art. The exhibition which features about 160 photographs along with several text panels was inaugurated with a short meditation session with the Mother’s Music on 6^th March, 2025 at 5.00 pm.

All the photographs for the same were taken by Dr. Suhas Mehra, a Volunteer Resource Person for BhāratShakti. The text panels accompanying the photographs were curated by Dr. Beloo from the writings of Sri Aurobindo, in addition to her own descriptions of some of the details of history of Hampi, its temples and other architectural gems.

Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Shri Srinivas Murty, and several other members from various departments of Sri Aurobindo Society attended the inaugural event. Several members of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and other history and culture enthusiasts including photographers and authors were also present. Ms. Gita Patel, Mr. Kaushal Sharma from SAS also joined the inaugural programme; the exhibition was open for all after the opening meditation session.

Through a careful selection of photographs taken at various locations in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the exhibition seeks to tell the story of magnificence of Hampi as a highly prosperous city during the peak of Vijayanagara empire, its architectural and sculptural riches, its connection with stories from the Ramayana and much more. A few relevant facts about the history of Vijayanagara empire and some the legends associated with Hampi are also a part of the exhibition display, to facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

The focus on Hampi as the subject of exhibition helps us pay homage to a comment of Sri Aurobindo “…glories of the last Hindu Empire of Vijayanagar” which he included in his message to the Andhra University in December 1948. At the same time, the themes of Perseverance and Valour which we aim to highlight through the selected photographs are inspired by his words:

“[India’s] political genius….was strong to survive and await every opportunity of revival, made a bid for empire under Rana Sanga, created the great kingdom of Vijayanagara, held its own for centuries against Islam in the hills of Rajputana, and in its worst days still built and maintained against the whole power of the ablest of the Moguls the kingdom of Shivaji, formed the Mahratta confederacy and the Sikh Khalsa, undermined the great Mogul structure and again made a last attempt at empire.”

~ Sri Aurobindo, CWSA 20: 442