Aadil Jamal’s exhibition showcases the intricate jalee work and its interplay with sunlight at Humayun’s Tomb. The artist spoke to Karan Bhardwaj about his unconventional methods to capture monuments
Take a look at any photographer’s treasured collection and chances are rare that you won’t find photos of historical monuments, narrating the glorious past or depicting the architectural brilliance of the bygone era. Aadil Jamal’s photos fall in the latter category. But what makes his collection different is that he has focussed on only one element and has tried to share its details. Intricate jalee work of Humayun’s Tomb and its interplay with sunlight is the theme of his exhibition, Ramaq, which is ongoing at the India Habitat Centre.
look at the photos and you can relive the romance and grandeur of the era the magnificent tomb was created in. “It was a painstaking job. It took me two winters to get these apt images since the reflections that I have captured are seen only in winters. Since the cold days are foggy and misty, I would wait for the right time to capture the right moment. There’s no technique involved in taking these photos. What you see are the few moments just before the sunset. That’s why I have called it Ramaq, which means the glow of the last few moments of anything. This rare sight can be seen from November to February only on clear days,” says the lensman who had to repeatedly take rounds of the monument. “I was very alert. Each picture was a like a mammoth painting and took several days,” he says.
Jamal focussed on the jalee work present the monument in a different light. “If I were to shoot monuments that have existed for more than a hundred years, have been written about and photographed extensively, how can I present it in a different way in 2014IJ Numerous photographers have captured India’s rich heritage so there’s hardly any angle left to be explored. The only way to stand out is by capturing the reflections,” says Jamal, an advertising professional, who also worked on the ‘Incredible India’ campaign three years ago.
It’s hard to believe that images are not treated with softwares but he bats for his camera. Editing is done to rub the unrequired substance. “I was extremely patient while getting these images. They are not photoshopped. Indians are habitual of not respecting the heritage. There are graffitis on walls, places are littered. So I photoshopped all that. The colours and contrast are not tampered with,” he informs.
Jamal is obsessed with history. His last exhibition, Aks-O-Aab-Reflections On Water, presented the monuments like Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and Purana Qila through their reflections in the waterbodies surrounding them. “History fascinates me. I go deeper in the subject as I capture it through my lens. It’s sad that the present generation is not excited about the heritage. I hope these pictures would motivate young people to visit the unattended buildings in the Capital,” he says.
The artist is also penning down a book on children literature. “It talks about the importance of inclusive society, how to learn to respect each other and our differences that exist and yet live peacefully,” he shares.
He is planning to take some road trips now. “I am planning to visit exotic locations in leh and ladakh and capture the natural beauty,” he reveals.