He is Japanese by birth, globetrotter by profession and universal by appeal. All these accolades are meant for Daisaku Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), UN registered NGO, who displayed his photographic talent for the first time in Delhi. His exhibition titled 'dialogue with nature' is being displayed at the Visual Arts Gallery of India Habitat Centre. The show began on November 22 and will be on display till the end of this month.
These images are a part of Ikeda's grand collection, which he has maintained from 1983. He has photographed practically the best of natural views from different part of the world. From the Andes to the seashores of Philippines, he has grabbed a bit of all panoramic sights. The picture of Andes has been taken from a helicopter and the breath taking view of snow-capped Andes is seen through the cushion of clouds. Besides photographing nature's bounties, he has also photographed some of the world's best-known monuments and some scenes from daily life.
His Japanese influence can be seen in more than 20 photographs, which are the maximum number for any destination. He has captured Mount Fiji, Japan's nightlife and some of Japan's technical advancements on film. Only one snap is dedicated to India. Ikeda has shot the hustle and bustle of street life of Delhi. He has depicted the struggle for existence in the Indian metropolitans. The secret of the popularity of this exhibition lies in the fact that he has presented a common man's view to various world destinations.
This exhibition has travelled through 70 cities in 32 countries and boasts of 7.5 million viewers. After its sample in Delhi, it will travel the other three metropols of India. All the 100 photographs that are being displayed in the exhibition are Ikeda's memoirs during his tours to different part of the world.
{{/usCountry}}This exhibition has travelled through 70 cities in 32 countries and boasts of 7.5 million viewers. After its sample in Delhi, it will travel the other three metropols of India. All the 100 photographs that are being displayed in the exhibition are Ikeda's memoirs during his tours to different part of the world.
{{/usCountry}}Self confessedly, he is not a professional photographer, nor does he aspire to be one.
He has no professional training in photography. His stint with photography began with a casual photo shoot in Paris in 1988, which produced excellent results. After that he never thought again before taking his Nikon camera with him for the out station meetings. His effort might lack the sophistication of a professional, but they definitely highlight a visitor's view. For instance, a professional photographer may have sighted the magnanimity of the leaning tower of Pisa, but Ikeda has simply taken a middle shot, which emphasises on its beauty and not the engineering details.
This show is drawing number of visitors and has been well received by people from all walks of life. Among the visitors, school children, college students and the senior citizen's have been thronging in big numbers for the exhibition. "Looking at these photos I feel that I have been to all these destinations myself," says Namita, a student from Jesus and Mary College. Not surprisingly, that it will receive the same response from other parts of India as well.