Vajranabh Natraaj Maharshi wears the hats of a conceptual self-taught photographer, a masterful filmmaker, and a cinematic storyteller through his lens.
Vajranabh Natraaj Maharshi
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His life's quest is a relentless pursuit of photographic excellence, where he crafts his narrative on the canvas of concept-based themes. Within his artistic tapestry, disparate subjects harmonize to orchestrate a symphony of meaning, transcending the mundane and revealing that photography is more than a mere translation of perceived forms; it's a gateway to the soul of human experience. As a photographic maestro and cinematic auteur, he goes beyond mere technical prowess, becoming a medium for emotions and a conduit for stories. His subjects are not chosen whimsically; they are forged from emotional bonds, his lens chiseling away the layers to unveil their quintessence. Every frame he captures is imbued with the power to evoke, to narrate, and to stir hearts. In the realm of his artistry, he is not merely an observer, but a storyteller, wielding the lens as his quill to pen tales that resonate.
Maharshi's artistic realm transcends the canvas, becoming an expansive tapestry of remarkable endeavors. Acclaimed as the "Master of Light and Reflection," he wields his craft to illuminate realms unseen by the naked eye. His mastery of light and shadow paints a cinematic panorama, each figure on his visual stage a vessel of emotions, their countenances vividly alive. From the palette of his lens emerge love's tender hues, pain's poignant shades, the melancholy of sadness, the crucible of crisis, and the ardor of struggle. His artistry renders him a luminary, heralded internationally for his capacity to traverse emotional landscapes with ease, offering a collective language woven from vision, sentiment, and expression.
His genesis in photography might have been serendipitous, yet his relationship with the camera spans decades. An odyssey commenced nearly thirty years ago, delving into the realm of moving images. Embarking on his filmmaker's voyage in 1993, he crafted "Drushyam," an illustrious short film, followed by the acclaimed "1973: An Untold Story," adorned with international accolades. A three-decade tango with the world of film metamorphosed him into a photographic virtuoso, his creative metamorphosis achieved in 2015. Illuminating his journey is the recent documentary "The Sculptor," an opus that bestowed him with fame's laurels.
Amidst life's currents, he encountered adversity personified by an accident, confining him to a year of bedridden solitude, severed from his camera's embrace. Despair lingered, yet through the crucible of meditation, his spirit rekindled. Determined, he recommenced his artistic voyage, declaring, Maharshi adds "Even if I cannot sustain my prior practice, I can still satiate my soul through a still camera." Thus, the Canon 5D Mark II became the harbinger of his renewed odyssey. In 2010, his inaugural solo photography exhibition graced the hallowed halls of Mumbai's Jehangir Art Gallery, a pivotal juncture that catapulted him into unwavering dedication to his creative calling. The following years witnessed a symphony of exhibitions across Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, his prowess as a filmmaker and lensman earning him the coveted NTR National Award.
Tete -a-tete with Vajranabh Natraaj Maharshi
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Nature, human emotions, and lifestyles I encounter on a daily basis, all serve as sources of inspiration for me. I primarily get inspiration from the layers of the cosmos, the universe. I believe that all living things are included in the plan, not just humans. I am inspired by every living organism, including plants, people, and animals. Because a photographer recreates, not creates.
Where do you find yourself in the next 10 years of your career? What you want to do as everyone has a set goal.
I don't create plans for my career, so I do not perceive it as an aspect that is planned. I put in my best efforts and work diligently. I want to make sure that if someone plans on publishing a book about world photography, there will be a page dedicated to me. I'm currently working on a Hindi biography film script that will hopefully win me some international accolades and recognition from a wider audience. Maniratnam sir is my motivation. In order for my films to be considered classics, they must have a good script that future generations can study.
As you are a multi Tasker How do you manage your work?
For me, work is meditation. I read, write, compose, and capture. However, I mostly concentrate on creating scripts, filming, and photography. I therefore put my primary attention on that in all of my work. I enlighten myself. I learned photography on my own. I derive all of my ideas from nature. I start by reproducing, then I start shooting. I conduct extensive research. I believe that there must be a connection between you and your work, idea, or muse.
Can you share about your next photography exhibition?
Yes, we held an exhibition - Jamuna Tudu—the Lady Tarzan of India Exhibition—in New Delhi for a week. The exhibition was a hit, and it originally was only meant to last for a week, but because of popular demand, it was prolonged for 35 days. It will return after a month in New Delhi in October due to popular demand. This time, the exhibition Jamuna tudu-lady tarzan of India, which is about the life and tribulations of Jamuna Tudu will be displayed in a larger gallery. In addition, I have created a wildlife series, a collection of nature photographs, including birds, animals, and more. In my next wildlife series, I want to depict animal emotions similarly to how I do so in my other photographs.
In addition to this, I'm finishing up a biography of a cancer survivor I photographed three years ago. I completed another intriguing series of shots a while back called Monalisa Returns, which depicts Ten 100 Emotions of Monalisa, which shows a woman who resembles Monalisa and is also finished. However, I would like to execute that in a larger setting and internationally.
Please share regarding your upcoming Documentary Film? When are you planning to release it?
My latest project, the documentary- Lifeline, which is based on the journey of renowned sculptor Mr. Suresh Kumar, was completed yesterday. In October, it will be made available. The documentary runs for one hour and ten minutes. It depicts a sculptor's life journey and the obstacles that they encounter on the way. We intend to display a premiere event at a noteworthy theatre. We will, therefore, release a new documentary in a month. The filming is finished, and post-production is currently underway.
Beyond Thoughts is another English documentary that I am working on. It is a sculptor documentary that centers on the eminent artist Asurved, who was born and raised in Delhi. It might be made available close to October. Therefore, two projects are scheduled for a quick release.
Are you working with any Film projects?
Yes, now I'm working on a Hindi feature film about an environmental activist's life. We will shortly finish the script and begin filming and post-production work. And also Directing a separate independent film about the struggles of an Adivasi father and daughter in the forest is additionally in the works. Famous cinematographer PG.Vinda will handle the cinematography, and Vijay Bholenath and Chaitra will play the parts of a tribal father and daughter. It will be a really meaningful endeavor in my life, and we intend to submit it to international film festivals.
Which one is more difficult? Photography for Exhibitions or making Documentaries?
I don't view the profession as tough. Similar to how a mother had a very trying time during childbirth, she overcomes it with emotion when the child is born. It feels sweetly painful. Similar to how making documentaries, films, or photographs for exhibitions is my goal, doing these things is like a pleasant pain for me. It is not tough for me since I approach every task with the same fervor as if it were my last, and working for me is similar to doing meditation. But each time I've directed a documentary or an image shoot, it feels like it generates or, better still, invents a new inner universe for me.
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