Inauguration of ‘Margaret Bourke-White and Sunil Janah: A Photographic Collaboration’ at IGNCA
23rd February, New Delhi:
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, through its Cultural Archives and Kala Nidhi Division, inaugurated a special photo exhibition titled ‘Margaret Bourke-White and Sunil Janah: A Photographic Collaboration’ at the Darshanam Gallery, IGNCA. The exhibition presents historical, social, and cultural contexts through the works of the world-renowned photographer Margaret Bourke-White and India’s celebrated photographer Sunil Janah. The exhibition has been curated by Prof. Alex Lichtenstein of Indiana University and will remain open until 27 February.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. In his inaugural address, he remarked that photography is not merely a visual representation but a living document of time and society. The images of Margaret Bourke-White and Sunil Janah, he noted, powerfully reflect India’s socio-political transformations, the freedom struggle, and the sensitivities of everyday life, and serve as an important medium of cultural dialogue between India and the world.
On the occasion, Prof. Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean (Administration), IGNCA, and Head, Kala Nidhi Division, delivered the welcome address. He emphasised IGNCA’s continued commitment to preserving and making accessible visual and archival heritage through such initiatives, adding that the exhibition not only traces the history of photography but also offers insight into the social and cultural milieu of the period.
During the inauguration, curator Prof. Alex Lichtenstein elaborated on the exhibition’s themes, historical background, and the distinctive working styles of both photographers. He observed that Margaret Bourke-White and Sunil Janah documented significant twentieth-century events with sensitivity and courage, and that their images transcend documentation to become powerful artistic expressions of human experience. In his message to young photographers, Prof. Lichtenstein accentuated the fearlessness of both Bourke-White and Janah. He noted that they immersed themselves in real situations, streets, fields, and factories, engaging directly with people and documenting human stories with empathy and honesty. He encouraged emerging photographers to adopt a similar approach: to be present, to connect with people, and to tell stories with sincerity through their images.
Through the photographs on display, the exhibition vividly presents multiple facets of India before and after Independence—rural life, industrial development, social change, and major historical events—offering viewers a compelling glimpse into a period when the nation was moving towards a new socio-political formation.
The programme witnessed the presence of scholars, researchers, artists, and art enthusiasts from the fields of art, culture, history, and photography. The exhibition will remain open to the public at the Darshanam-I Gallery, IGNCA, until 27 February, offering art lovers and researchers an opportunity to view these rare and historically significant photographs.
