Start Date: 6 March, 2025
End Date: 23 March, 2025
Venue: Ashram Exhibition House, Pondicherry
Lifelong learning and awakening a thirst to know and grow plays an important role in the overall progress of the individual in the context of Integral Development. The Mother has also emphasised how important it is to create or awaken in children a real interest in study, the need to learn and to know, to awaken their mental curiosity (CWM, 12: 333). This applies equally to learners of all ages. Especially when it comes to learning about the rich history of Indian civilisation, its deep-rooted cultural and artistic heritage, it is very important that creative means be used to keep the learner interested and engaged.
The BhāratShakti department through its variety of educational programmes has been constantly striving to do that. The aim of our programmes has been to facilitate learning and reflection using various interdisciplinary and holistic approaches with an aim to awaken in the participants a healthy curiosity and a thirst to learn.
Photography as Art and as Educational Aid
Since September 2024, the BhāratShakti department has been exploring the theme ‘Spirit and Forms of Indian Art’ through its online journal Renaissance and various activities and educational programmes. As part of this ongoing exploration, the department recently concluded a 17-day-photographic thoroughly researched exhibition on the theme: “HAMPI – A Photographic Journey: Tracing the Aesthetics of Perseverance and Valour” at the invitation of the Exhibition House of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. The exhibition was inaugurated on 6th March, 2025 at 5.00 pm and continued up to 23rd March, 2025.
On 4 September, 1969, a disciple asked the Mother of her opinion on photography as a medium of modern art. The Mother’s reply inspires deep reflection and serves as an inspiration for our upcoming exhibition. She said,
“It all depends on the way in which photography is used. Its natural purpose and common use is documentary; the more exact and precise it is, the more useful it is.
“But undeniably, there are artists who use photography as a medium of expression. But then what they do is no longer an exact copy of Nature, it is an arrangement of forms and colours intended to express something else which is usually hidden by physical appearances.”
~ The Mother, CWM, 10: 248
When the idea for the exhibition was first floated by the curatorial team at Ashram Exhibition House, the BhāratShakti department was very clear in its intention that the photographic exhibition on Hampi should facilitate an integrated learning experience for the visitors. While presenting the artistic and cultural riches of this UNESCO World Heritage Site through creative photography, the story woven through the 150+ photos and text panels should become an engaging and self-directed learning experience for all.
All the photographs for the Exhibition were provided by Dr. Suhas Mehra, a volunteer resource person. The textual panels accompanying the photographs were curated by Dr. Beloo Mehra from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, in addition to her own descriptions of some of the details of the temples and the architecture, as well as history of Hampi as the capital of Vijayanagara empire.
Dr. Beloo Mehra worked closely with Ms. Jesal Thacker, curator at the Ashram Exhibition House to make final selections of the photographs – a process that went over several months – and create a narrative flow which will integrate different historical, artistic, architectural and cultural facets. As a result, the exhibition showcased the story of magnificence of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 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.
Why Hampi?
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
As a part of the Exhibition, BhāratShakti department also organised a lecture-discussion event on 13th March at the venue. Dr. Nanda Kishore MS, Head of the Department of Politics & International Studies and Chair of Sri Aurobindo Studies, Pondicherry University was the speaker on the topic ‘The Cultural and Political Legacy of Vijayanagara Empire.‘
Visitors’ Response
Over the exhibition duration, about 600 people attended the exhibition including several groups of students from the Ashram School (SAICE), Pondicherry University, and also a large number of visitors from Ashram and Auroville. This effort was highly appreciated by all the visitors. Some of the encouraging comments recorded by them in the Visitors’ Book are as follows:
Riddhi Shah: Long, detailed photography exhibition. Almost a visual gallery of Hampi itself. One almost doesn’t need to step down there.
Sergey: It is one of the best exhibition on Indian sculpture that I have seen. It would be nice to see it in Auroville.
Jyoti Prakash: The exhibition gives a clear idea about Hampi. Anybody who wants to visit Hampi must visit the exhibition first to have a perfect idea about the place. Great applause to the photographer and the idea behind it.
Avinash/Nivedita: Thanks a lot for the wonderful work. Have always wanted to visit Hampi. Your amazing work of art has instilled in me a burning desire to see this historic place as soon as possible. Ever grateful for this exhibition and the beautiful narrations next to each picture.
Debdutta: An in-depth presentation of the Hampi, very nicely placed with historical snippets. Thank you.
K Meenakshi: A must see exhibition, especially for the youngsters to know and preserve our Indian heritage.
Harendrakumar and Vijaya Ramteke: First of all, hearty congratulations to Sri Suhas Mehra ji for showcasing his magnificent work of art through his mighty and skilful lens captured at Hampi – the grand old capital of Vijayanagar empire – the old dynasty famous for its grandeur and beauty in varied fields. Suhas ji has given us an opportunity to see the Truth of Sri Aurobindo’s famous revelation: Matter shall reveal the spirit’s face. You have brought out that “face” through your lens for the people at large.
Soni & Ashish Palande: I was deeply drawn towards every picture which was on the wall. Very magical and powerful vibrations and I got connected to every image. Beautiful and calmed my whole being within, inside. I just fell in love with every single picture.