The students and members of the Photographic Association of Dum Dum (PAD) organised an exhibition at the Gaganendra Pradarshshala (June 17-21), where 89 photographers from various walks of life displayed their works. The subjects were a mixed bag. A PAD show is sure to offer innovative darkroom manipulations and they were there this time too.

There were some interesting slices of life. A powerful human statement was made by Sudipta Banerji in his touching black and white photograph Two Different Worlds, showing a half-naked, starved, baby sleeping on a raw brickfield under a scorching sun while some women workers busy themselves in their tasks. Another evocative photo was Rathin Chakraborty’s Peace Mission, depicting contemporary thoughts. Purnendu Chakraborty’s colour shot showing a lonely forest path was sheer poetry. Sayantan Ghosh’s Motion Surrounds, Sourav Majumder’s Megha Balika and Joy Majumder’s Flower were eye-catching.

Sankar Mondal proved his mettle in Three In One (in picture), a snap of the simplest of simple situations. Sayantan Ghosh’s Motion Surrounds, Saurav Majumder’s Megha Balika and Joy Majumder’s Flower deserved kudos. Credit must to go to the PAD for encouraging many women photographers to exhibit their works.