Along with being an excellent and renowned Cardio-Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon at the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Dr Siddharth Lakhotia is also a passionate photographer and published author of several books of photographs. Recently we got our hands on a copy of his recent book Eternal Happiness and we were so happy to see him continuing his journey in photography. Before this, we had reviewed his book Eternal Reflections in 2015.
"Art teaches us to be humble, to be caring and sharing and forgiving, to be loving to all," says Dr Lakhotia in his introduction to the book. His oneness with the cosmos, his respect for the eternity, and his compassion toward all living things is quite apparent in the way he composes his shots. While Eternal Reflections follows themes of color (Drop of Blue, Tinge of Green, Pinch of Red, Shade of Yellow, When and It All Comes Together), Eternal Happiness depicts the eternal cycle of day and night. Therefore, the sections are divided into photographs clicked at dawn, forenoon, afternoon, evening, sunset and night.
The front cover image of the ocean leaping out to you is stunning, as is the back cover with the moon shining its silver light over a boat sailing in the mighty river Ganga. The cover prepares you to some extent for the photographs that follow.
Dr Lakhotia's photographs of the streets of Benaras are honest documentation of life as it unfolds. They capture the vibrancy and quirkiness as seen from the inside. Dr Lakhotia's familiarity with Benaras (he has spent a considerable portion of his life in the city) and his affinity with this city of hidden treasures are apparent in his compositions.
The compositions in and around Ganga are some of the most dramatic photographs in the book. He manages to capture the calmness and silent fluidity of water and the respectful manner in which humans have woven their lives around the river. In that, he demonstrates the same level of respect and deference for his subjects.
People photography is something that seems to come naturally to Dr Lakhotia. He is able to capture emotions, expressions, and subtle human interactions with apparent ease. This is where one can also sense the compassion and empathy with which Dr Lakhotia approaches his subjects. In his own words "Our greatest strength lies in the gentleness and tenderness of our Heart."
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