Delhi’s Lensman brings to life the majestic and unseen aspect of Hampi

Manoj Arora’s innate fascination for monuments and their illustrious history took him to Hampi in Karnataka last year during the protracted pandemic. “Luckily, it wasn’t overcrowded and I had the space and time to engage with the subject at a leisurely pace, doing whatever drew my eyes and touched my heart and soul,” he says.

As a result, he returned with over 600 frames that captured the beauty of the silent ruins of the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in many colors and moods. Arora created monoliths, fascinating images of rocks and boulders, elaborate carvings and inscriptions on stones, descriptions in temple ceiling murals, sculptures and trees sealed against the play of light.

Just before the opening of his photo exhibition ‘Rediscover Humpy’ at Bikaner House, he was excited and nervous about his first solo show. But his panel captivated art connoisseurs.

The exhibition has 80 prints that Arora describes as ‘realistic and mythological’. “There is an indescribable beauty in this timeless place that requires no language to express. I want people to feel and experience it 14 ^th City of the century and be proud of the heritage of the country,” he says.

Whether you are looking at gods and goddesses carved in stone and captured in the refractive indices of the evening or the faded murals on the ceiling of the famous Virupaksha temple, or the rays of the sun falling on a large tree, which stands tall among the ruins. Stand up – Every shot Aurora speaks through its composition, depth and solitude.

Destroyed forts, royal and sacred complexes, pillared halls and pavilions, monumental structures and temples, riverside features, market and residential quarters, gates and stables, reservoirs and hydraulic works, towers, arches and ornate pillars: everything in harmony It integrates into the landscape and reflects the socio-political and economic prosperity of the time.

Arora says, “Every relic of the past has a story to tell.

Art critic Uma Nair, who has curated the show, says ‘Rediscover Humpy’ is a contemporary take on antiquity that brings to the fore fragments of time. He worked for six months on compositions under six different themes to bring to the fore the historical beauty of the UNESCO-recognized site on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

“Aurora’s narrative collection is born within the sculptures, murals and monuments of the capital of one of the greatest kingdoms of South India. His photographs help in finding a lost heritage, add to one’s knowledge about history, highlight the art and skill of photography and bring out the vision and passion of the photographer,” says Nair.

The exhibition, organized by Masha Art, continues until September 22; Main Art Gallery at Bikaner House, Pandara Road, India Gate; From 11 am to 8 pm.