SHRI RAM SHAW
New Delhi: “If you want to live your life in a creative way, as an artist, you have to not look back too much. You have to be willing to take whatever you’ve done and whoever you were and throw them away.” – Steve Jobs.
The story of holy land – Ayodhya is as intrinsic to the story of India itself. But it needs telling from a seasoned eye. To expect a 14-year old student to decipher the nuances of a subject as complex and mature as this would usually be far from reality. And even if it’s done, to expect the story telling to be so supremely powerful, so layered, so humane and above all so gripping would be near to impossible.
But Aashvi Agrawal – a student of class Xth in Kolkata’s iconic La Martiniere for girls – has done what is impossible – with the warmest eye – tell the story of one of India’s greatest moments in decades with absolute elan – a book that goes into the annals of history as iconic and path-breaking. To steer clear of any politics, any political affiliation or personal agenda any produce a narrative that is completely human, searching out raw emotions of faith in the moment of its birth in a country as secular as India is a master class in story-telling and documentation.
The two saree clad ladies holding hands and turning pirouettes, the emotive rhythms of rustic textured fingers that touch the alphabets of the Devnagari script Ram, the bathers in the rivers, the still life with the necklace seller, each image through the lens of this little girl is a narrative of the Ram temple that has had a historic placement in the realms of Indian history. Ayodhya today is witnessing of the healing of what the great V.S. Naipaul called ‘The Wounded Civilization’.
Mentored by one of India’s greatest minds – the world renowned journalist and photographer Kounteya Sinha, these images merge a personal style with Indian spiritual and cultural heritage, resulting in an album of memories composed of an aesthetically resonant fusion of the two. Aashvi’s debut reveals a unique style that is indeed a distinctive blend of traditional narrative techniques with modern style human graphics, creating a fresh and innovative testimony of the magic of monochromatic, cinematic moments in the city of Ayodhya at the Ram Lalla temple.
This book is a sheer language of the Gods told through the eyes of a girl far from finding her feet in the world. It seamlessly merges several different verticles of story telling – faith, architecture, culture, tradition, lifestyle, ancient norms – all of it though the human eye of devotion. Aashvi’s strong power of story-telling is the reflective of the work of her guru Kounteya Sinha to be able to notice the tiniest of the moments and immortalize it for it says rather than what it shows. She has clearly been a great student for it takes years of devotion, sacrifice and dedication to reach a mind like that of Sinha – venerated globally for its humaneness – a trait that spills into his work – the most difficult stories peeled off so effortlessly that it would only look simple to be able to tell it. Aashvi’s narrative in this iconic book is so reflective of that trait – a quite reflective and powerful undertone of dignity in a world that is screaming to be noticed.
During the launch of the iconic book “THE PROMISED LAND – A visual anatomy of human faith” at a gala function in New Delhi on 3rd of August, this journalist (Shri Ram Shaw) caught up with the talented teenaged writer and photographer Aashvi Agrawal, who has an innate inclination towards photography, for an exclusive interview.
Several distinguished dignitaries including Aditi Rao Hydari (actor), Amitabh Kant (G20 Chief), Mary Kom (boxer), Gul Panag (actor and photographer), Sanjeev Kapoor (masterchef), Divya Dutta (actor), Timothy Curtis (UNESCO India representative), Bilkis Mir (Olympian Rower) and Major General GD Bakhshi (Retd) and many more graced the occasion.
EXCERPTS…
(Aashvi Agrawal with one of her youngest fans Aishwarya Agrahari)
What’s the reason behind naming the book “The Promised Land”?
Aashvi: The construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya was an event of significant cultural, religious and political importance for India. For millions of Hindus across the world, the temple built in Lord Ram’s birthplace fulfils long-held religious aspirations and preserves Hindu traditions and stories. For Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to keep his word and finally build the temple and open it to devotees was one of the most significant events in Indian history. That’s why I am calling the book “The Promised Land”.
Do you think, Ram Temple is a true metaphor of human faith?
Aashvi: This book does not look at the history of the land or its tryst with conflict or controversy. It is a pure representation visually – through photographs the faith of the people who visited the site in millions soon after its opening. It is a pure human story of emotion and devotion. This book inspires me to talk about how faith plays an important role in the lives of each individual and how people see it from different perspectives. The Ayodhya project gave me a chance to show the people of India the reality of believing in something at their best or their worst. According to me, Ram Temple is a true metaphor of that faith.
Share your experiences you went through during your visit to the holy land i.e. Ayodhya.
Aashvi: The energy was palpable. Millions of people with a single purpose – faith – all congregated in Ayodhya – known for its historical, cultural and religious significance – the birthplace of Lord Rama, a central figure in Hinduism. I have always been intrigued by India’s incredible diversity and rich history. The blend of numerous languages, cultures and religions co-existing is truly remarkable. It’s the birthplace of religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The most recent wonder in India has truly been the construction of the Ram Mandir – a moment and a phenomenon that will go down in history – always remembered, celebrated, revered.
It was fascinating to see the ocean of people heading to this small hamlet of a place in Uttar Pradesh. It was at that moment that it caught my interest. I told myself that it was a moment in time that needed to be frozen for posterity. To be remembered. What fascinated me was not the religious aspect of it, but the human.
The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya has impacted the city and its people, representing the powerful symbol of Hindu pride and spirituality. The temple has fulfilled the long-held religious aspirations for many, strengthening their faith. This development has also almost overnight turned Ayodhya into a major tourist destination for pilgrimage. This has helped majorly in boosting the local economy. The presence of visitors – both national and foreign has increased the necessity to improve the architecture and the city altogether. This change in Ayodhya has marked a new chapter in the country’s historical and religious journey.
When I first set foot in the city, I could feel the energy and auro of it all. I was surrounded by toddlers on one side and the old on the other. Every single social strata – rich, middle class or poor – all in a single moment became one – all with a bowed head. Everybody in prayer. Even the handicapped found the strength to journey through. Just like Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness,” waves and waves of people started to trickle in with hope of light.
The streets of Ayodhya are full of spiritual emotions and sentiments. Walking through the city I saw layers of mythology and history showcased through the numerous temples and ancient structures. The air in Ayodhya carries chants, hymns and ringing of temples bells wafting through it. This sense of devotion gives the people a feeling of peace and spirituality. Exploring its streets reveals diverse architectural styles, culinary offerings, and cultural practices that co-exit harmoniously. From ancient temples like the Kanak Bhawan and Hanuman Garhi to the grand temple of Lord Rama, Ayodhya’s architecture narrates stories of different eras and religious importance.
Do you believe that faith can play an important role in changing lives and providing strength?
Aashvi: Yes, I do. Many people find that faith offers a sense of purpose, a direction and a meaning in their lives. It can act as a source of comfort during times of trouble and uncertainty, offering a sense of understanding. This can be crucial in times of personal crisis or when facing life’s various hardships, providing not only emotional but also practical support through community ties. Moreover, faith can inspire individuals to transcend their limitations and strive for greater personal and collective achievements. It often promotes values such as compassion and forgiveness which can contribute to personal growth. Documenting the streets in the cold of winter and terrible heat of summer was definitely a challenging journey. It was exhausting but truly enthralling.
Do you believe that humanity survives on having the ability to create, explore?
Aashvi: Seeing the world through lens is the best way of all. When you battle that inner artist because you don’t trust it or are afraid, that is when you end up almost non-living or nonexistent. Humanity survives on having the ability to create, explore and constantly challenge ourselves. When an artist has a blank canvas in front of him/her, the process to contentment with the finished product is one of the hardest things to manage, but the journey to get from blankness to actual art is true beauty and what we as humans can aspire to. You need to apply that thinking to life. When you start on what you love to do, that is when your canvas is blank — it is up to you to fill in the lines, dots and colors. Your mind has a lot more to offer the world than you think.
