Xinjiang (“Ice Jecen” in Manchu, literally meaning ‘New Frontier’), in north-west China, is home to a number of ethnic nationalities. Mala Mukerjee, whose photographs of Xinjiang are being exhibited at Akar Prakar (April 23-30), has striven hard to capture this element of shared diversity. Consequently, the pictures are full of cheerful people in colourful ethnic attire. For some inexplicable reason, they seem to be in a permanent state of bliss (picture: “Festive”). Unfortunately, the photographs tell us little else apart from suggesting that Xinjiang, tucked in a corner, is a little arcadia by itself. The happiness appears unreal, especially in a region that has witnessed periodic bursts of violence.

Significantly, the State is a shadowy presence in some of these photos. “The red flag” shows a few two-wheelers parked around a fluttering, cherry-coloured flag. In the background, lies an empty cotton field. There is no one in sight, and the image is shrouded in heavy, oppressive, silence. There are moments of enchanting beauty too. “Forest fire” offers a glimpse of tall trees, their leaves bathed in brilliant red light. But the most striking photograph is that of an abandoned farmhouse (“Empty farm”) — a grey, crumbling edifice, which reminds us of the hard life that lies concealed behind the beauty and happiness.