U.S. photo show focuses on India's Ambassador car
Friday, 07 March 2003, 20:30 IST
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WASHINGTON: A gleaming red Ambassador car is the highlight of an American photographic exhibition here that will kick off Sunday. The Indian car is in the foyer of the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Art Gallery, almost showing off its importance and utility in all its possible guises, from shiny white diplomatic limousine to family car, taxi and delivery van. It is part of the "Auto-Focus: Raghubir Singh's Way into India", an exhibition of 48 brilliant photographs by the celebrated photographer from inside the Ambassador car. The car, a gift from the chairman of Hindustan Motors, C.K. Birla, stands as a testament to Singh's love affair with India. Hindustan Motors introduced the first Indian-built motorcar in 1946 and followed with the Ambassador in 1957. The exterior of the Ambassador remains to this day, reminiscent of the 1950s British Morris sedan. For almost 50 years, the "Amby" was the only automobile on the Indian road. Singh's focus honours the car's cultural significance. It was the model car in which he travelled as he documented the Indian landscape over a 30-year period. From the scenic Jammu and Kashmir in the extreme north to Tamil Nadu in the south, all in some way include the Ambassador car -- a vehicle so ubiquitous as to be considered an emblem of post-Independence India. Singh, who was planning his pictorial tribute to the car with the Smithsonian, died unexpectedly in 1999. But his estate made available the photographs. "Singh not only uses the car as a subject but also uses it as a camera, a box with windows and mirrors that offer opportunities for framing and reflecting and transforming the landscape," said curator Debra Diamond. As an honour to the memory of Singh, the Sackler Gallery has opened a photo contest for students. It is open to all students from the U.S. It wants a team of three or four students to photograph their spring break road trip. The contest will coincide with the exhibition "Auto-Focus" on view at the Sackler from March 9 to August 10. In the spirit of Singh's work, the contestants will have to record in a creative way the students' road journey adventures. Winning photographs would be displayed for the public. The contest carries a first prize of $500, a second prize of $300, a third prize of $200 and a fourth prize of $100.
Source: IANS
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