Jammu University Launches Artistic Tribute Through Photography, Announces New Cultural Initiative
Jammu, April 25, 2025: A five-day Group Photography Exhibition-cum-Workshop was inaugurated today at the Rinchen Bzangpo Art Gallery, University of Jammu. The event, organized by the Rinchen Bzangpo Art Gallery in collaboration with Aperture – The Photography Club of Jammu, was formally opened by Professor Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu. The inaugural function was graced by Professor Manju Bhasin, Dean Academics, University of Jammu, as the special guest.
The ceremony was attended by several participating artists, including Chandan Sunder, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Amarjeet Singh Jandhu, Mohmud Anwar Alnasir, and Shishu Pal. Also present were Sh. Rakesh Sharma, Coordinator of the Rinchen Bzangpo Art Gallery, Sh. R. K. Goyal, President of Aperture – The Photography Club of Jammu, and a large gathering of photography enthusiasts, artists, and award-winning photographers.
This unique Exhibition-cum-Workshop has been dedicated to the legendary photographer Shri Chandan Bhadram Shastry, fondly known as Dada (1920–1994), who was the founder of Aperture – The Jammu Photography Club. After serving during the Second World War, he embarked on a spiritual and creative journey, moving to Rishikesh and becoming a disciple of Swamy Shivanand. Under the spiritual name Chitra Kala Kushla, given by Swamy Ji, he immersed himself in meditation and photography. Later, he pursued formal training in photography under the tutelage of renowned German photographer M. Friedrich in Mumbai. In 1965, he returned to Jammu and established Studio Madras, a pioneering initiative in the field of photography. His artistic legacy is now being carried forward by his accomplished son, Chandan Sunder, a renowned photographer in Jammu & Kashmir.
The exhibition features forty-five outstanding photographic works by seasoned photographers such as Chandan Sunder, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Mohmud Anwar Alnasir, Amarjeet Singh Jandhu, and Shishu Pal. The displayed works showcase a broad spectrum of themes, artistic perspectives, and exceptional technical finesse, offering visitors a deeply enriching visual experience.
During the event, awards were presented to a number of photographers for their significant contributions to the field of photography. The awardees included veteran photographer Afzal Shah, along with Nitin Kanotra, Pawan Dogra, Raman Raina, Devinder Thakur, Anku Sethi, Pardeep Bakshi, Mir Imran, Shilpa Thakur, Neha Raina, Jasneet Kour (an ex-student of the University of Jammu and a recipient of numerous national and international awards in photography), and Asvina Anil Bhat, a third-year student of the Institute of Music & Fine Arts (IMFA), University of Jammu.
In his address, Professor Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, commended the depth, creativity, and emotional resonance captured in the photographs. He remarked that the artists have beautifully expressed their imaginative visions and unique worldviews through the lens of their cameras. He also shared that the University is planning to launch a special programme aimed at engaging senior citizens, enabling them to share their life experiences over the last seventy years, particularly in the areas of art, culture, and creative expression. This initiative will serve as a bridge between generations, inspiring young minds while preserving the rich cultural memory of the region.
The five-day exhibition-cum-workshop is set to be a dynamic platform for learning, sharing, and celebrating the transformative power of photography.
