Roshan Lal Chopra’s Photographic Odyssey: A Timeless Window into India’s Past
5th May, New Delhi:
The distinguished exhibition titled ‘Timeless Moment: The Artistry of Iconic Frames’ at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Darshanam-2 gallery, offers an evocative journey through nostalgia and history. Curated from the renowned works of celebrated photojournalist and former photo editor of The Indian Express (1962–1992), Shri Roshan Lal Chopra, the exhibition opens profound windows into the social, political, and cultural landscapes of post-independence India. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman of the IGNCA, and was attended by eminent journalist, former Rajya Sabha MP, and former Ambassador Shri H.K. Dua, who graced the event as a special guest.
The curation of this evocative photography exhibition is managed by Shri Ravi Chopra, the son of the late Roshan Lal Chopra, alongside Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishnan. Curator Ravi Chopra shared that the exhibition vividly brings alive the myriad aspects of Indian society—its human emotions, daily life, and pivotal historical moments—through the lens of Late Roshan Lal Chopra’s timeless black-and-white photographs. The images on display offer a glimpse into India’s landscape from 1961 to 1992, shedding light on the dynamic socio-political and cultural shifts of the time. These photographs do more than just capture a moment—they narrate the pulse of the nation, expressing the essence of a bygone era with remarkable sensitivity and technical skill. The exhibition features rare snapshots that chronicle key historical moments, particularly the vibrant socio-political fabric of Delhi during that era.
Among the iconic photographs in the exhibition are scenes such as the serene view of South Block in Delhi, police officers braving the monsoon on Rajpath, Dr. Karan Singh in conversation with President Dr. Zakir Husain, common people resting under trees in the oppressive summer heat, a sweeping panorama of a public gathering addressed by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the bustling chaatwala of Chandni Chowk, the majestic view of Connaught Place, the famous dancing traffic policeman at Vijay Chowk, the meeting between Shri Morarji Desai and Shri K. Kamaraj, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri delivering a speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in 1965, rickshaw pullers taking respite behind the Red Fort during the scorching midday sun, the Wagah Border during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, dacoits surrendering to Loknayak Jai Prakash in Madhya Pradesh, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, among 98 powerful photographs.
This exhibition stands as a heartfelt tribute to the late photojournalist Roshan Lal Chopra, whose work over his 30-year career (1961–1992) marked a significant milestone in Indian photojournalism. As the photo editor for The Indian Express, Late Roshan Lal Chopra’s photographs transcended the role of mere documentation, evolving into artistic interpretations of the emotions, narratives, and historical moments of an entire generation.
Organized by IGNCA in collaboration with the Chopra family, the exhibition is open for viewing daily from 10 am to 6 pm at the Darshanam-2 gallery until May 9.
