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Gautam Rajyadhaksha: A man of many moods
Gautam Rajyadhaksha needs no introduction: Maverick, photographer, writer and connoisseur of the arts... a man of multiple auras, many moods.
The entrance to photographer par excellence Gautam Rajyadhaksha's studio bears his personal stamp. The walls exhibit an eclectic blend of occidental art in a fascinating array of paintings/posters from famous operas and theatrical productions of the 20th century.
Rajyadhaksha has successfully coalesced the 'positives' and 'negatives' of lens legends Francisco Scavullo and Henri Cartier Bresson, who passed away in August, as a starting point from which to 'develop' his own personal photographic metaphor.
The maverick:
"I've gone to many collectible issues of Vogue and I think Richard Avedon inspired me the most," says Rajyadhaksha of the late British photographer. "He was an extremely shy man of very few words and the father of modern fashion, documented through his 75 years where he presented the world with many memorable frames frozen in time. Who can forget his ageless, effortless shots, such as those of Twiggy and the Beatles, Audrey Hepburn and Suzy Parker? I am also influenced by Bresson, of course."
He admits everything is intertwined: his love for the theatre, opera, music, paintings, reading and writing. All these many loves combine and often generate the trademark one-of-a kind-portrait that tells the story of some of India's most glamorous and accomplished faces.
The photographer:
His portraits delve deep into the emotion of each individual, searching with the experienced eyes of the artistic lensman. For him preparation is the prescription for perfection. The precise lighting, the exact expression and the whimsical aura of originality that has graced the covers of some of India's most prestigious magazines in the past three decades. Many of these are featured in his book "Faces", published in 1997, a tribute to the Indian icons of the 20th century. From Waheeda Rehman, Nutan, Rekha, Madhuri, Kajol, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, to late industrialist JRD Tata and superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Rajadhyaksha has "captured a moment in a life and life in a moment".
His profiles, each a visual documentary, more a celebration of emotion, are rich in colour and contrast and a testament to his life-long quest for perfection. "I've been greatly influenced by the Renaissance," he reveals quietly, like one letting you into a personal secret. His first photographic exhibition "Chehre" a symphony of 650 leading Indian and international personalities, following the release of his book, was the first of its kind and a resounding success.
Another first was his series of "mothers and daughters" and "fathers and sons", both a tribute to history and a celebration of the future stars. "I think its invaluable to contrast the changes in principles inherited through heritage, education, background and genetic transfer," states Rajadhyaksha, expounding a long-held belief.
Portraits of Hema Malini with Esha and Ahana, Tanuja and Kajol, Amjad Ali Khan with sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Shiv Kumar and Rahul Sharma were highlights of this series.
The man:
Rajadhyaksha is a Mumbaite to the core and was educated at St. Xavier's, where, interestingly enough, he got his Bachelor's in Chemistry. Perhaps a little-known fact is that he actually taught chemistry at his alma mater for a while before changing gears to do a Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations. He then moved on to Lintas and made his mark in advertising, discovering over a dozen faces which went on to become household names, like Karen Lunel (Lirel), Anna, Indira and Ulrika Bredemeyer, Tina Munim, Suresh Oberoi, Juhi Chawla and Salman Khan.
The late seventies were a turning point that transformed Rajadhyaksha into a photojournalist.
In another twist in his life story, Rajadhyaksha became the Editor of a Marathi entertainment fortnightly Chanderi in 1987. A multifaceted but modest man, he says, "In the line of work I am social and gravitate to younger people who have turned to me over the years for guidance and inspiration." His brief stint as Editor made him acknowledge his own urge to write more seriously. In 1992, he penned the script for Bekhudi, which was the launch vehicle for Kajol, who was destined to take Bollywood by storm later, and he also wrote the script for Anjam, the Madhuri-Shah Rukh Khan starrer.
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