Indian portraits of common Indians, colorful customs and architectural wonders are featured in the new exhibition entitled "Images of India" by Egyptian artist Ashraf Talaat. The exhibition is part of the annual Indian cultural festival 'India by the Nile’ which is held in cooperation with the Culture Ministry.
Over the past 16 years, Talaat has been pursuing his passion for photography in India delving deep into the marvellous, centuries-long culture of India through his lens.
In his exhibition, Talaat displays an array of photograhic captures that represent a cultivation of his rich experience in the country.
"I have more than 500 or 600 photos from India which I took through my trips there over the past 16 years," the artist told the Indian news Agency PTI.
Talaat said that what attracts him the most in India is people. That's why his photos give a great attention to faces of different Indian people.
In some of his photos, Talaat features old Indian women dressed in traditional, Indian custom, known as Sari, while engaging in different daily activities.
"This is because they represent the Indian tradition. Most of the new generation now wear modern western clothes.” Talaat said adding that what he was keen to shed light on is the Indian culture before disappearance as it has already started to dwindle among young generation.
India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya and his spouse Ranu Bhattacharyya opened the exhibition on Wednesday in the presence of art lovers and India fans from across Cairo.
Bhattacharyya praised the artist's work and said that he hopes this exhibition gives Egyptians a profound cultural insight of India and encourage them to visit India and explore the beauty of the country.
“He (Talaat) has displayed the emotions, the variety of colours, the sentiment of family life and community in a manner that is unparalleled," Bhattacharyya told PTI.
The exhibition is being held at the Egyptian Center for International Cultural Cooperation in Zamalek.
Enjoy the compelete photography collection at 11 Shagaret al-Dor, Zamalek, Cairo.
Artist Ashraf Talaat and India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya and his spouse Ranu Bhattacharyya opened the exhibition on Wednesday.
