In Pics: Sooni Taraporevala brings Bombay back to Mumbai

It is seldom that a city goes back to being what it was once was, except for perhaps in photographs. And this is exactly Sooni Taraporevala’s gift as Mumbai’s relentless

It is seldom that a city goes back to being what it was once was, except for perhaps in photographs. And this is exactly Sooni Taraporevala’s gift as Mumbai’s relentless documentarian. In her new exhibition, ‘Home in the City,’ she presents the city as Bombay in 1977 and Mumbai now, via a rich landscape of visuals that are intrinsic to the city’s charm. She began photographing the city in 1977 with her first SLR camera, which was bought with money borrowed from her roommate at Harvard, Cathy Dement. “After I repaid her, I took a leave of absence for a semester and returned home with my new camera and 50mm lens. The photos dated 1977 were taken at this time and I haven’t stopped since then. I think my eye is still the same, my style as well, as well as what interests me has remained the same. What has developed is my speed and technical skills,” said Taraporevala about the work.

Camel at Marine Drive, Bombay 1977 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

Gun battle at Cusrow Baug, Bombay 1985 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

Spectator at an airshow, Marine Drive, Mumbai 2005 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

Taraporevala is known for the proximity she exhibits in her images, be it the subject or her own relationship with the place she chooses to portray. Her photographs of Mumbai (then) are a rare document of the change it has seen, even in the most publicly frequented spaces. However, some parts of the city remain stuck in the past. “I can still sit on my parents balcony and make the same frame I did in 1980. However, that is a narrow focus,” she said.

Security Guard, Juhu Airport, Bombay 1982 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

There is no doubt that the photographs are driven by a strong sense of a memory of Mumbai, even as Taraporevala continues to live in the same city. The photographs seem simple, but reflect the layered complexities that Mumbai is known for, as one of India’s most dynamic cities.

Sarfu and Irrfan Khan, ‘Salaam Bombay!’ workshop, Bombay 1987 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

When asked if she was reluctant to share her old photographs before this, she says, “In the old days, that (sharing) was impossible unless you showed in a gallery or published a book. This is why I am such a fan of Instagram. I love that I can take a photo in Mumbai and instantly share it with a friend in California.”

Spectator at an airshow, Marine Drive, Mumbai 2005 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

Naseeruddin Shah and Stellan Skarsgard on the sets of The Perfect Murder, Bombay 1987 (© Sooni Taraporevala / Courtesy Sunaparanta)

From unguarded moments on film sets to public events, her eye is trained on the oddities of daily life, a characteristic that is rather specific to Mumbai and never really hidden from those who truly wander in the city. “In my experience it (Mumbai) has always been an extremely welcoming city for photographers,” said Taraporevala when asked if it was harder now to make photographs than before.

‘Home in the City: Bombay 1977 - Mumbai 2017’ runs from October 14 - 31, 2017 at Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai.