- Could you give a brief synopsis of your work and how it tackles the main issues facing the modern world?
This collection has various subjects, reflecting the socio-political atmosphere of Bihar from the 1970s to the mid-90s. From Lalu Yadav’s meteoric rise to Shatrughan Sinha’s star power overshadowing his contemporaries, the book offers a journey through my father’s lens. Each photograph is more than just an image; it is a narrative, a fragment of a larger story.
The book will inspire our readers and evoke nostalgia of that time and will draw parallel to the current socio-political atmosphere, how things have changed and how many things are still the same.
- What specifically knowledgeable or experienced background do you bring to the subject area, and what motivated you to write this book?
My father was a pioneer photo journalist in Bihar and worked actively from Mid 70s to mid-90s. Every story he covered, published or not, the negative was with him. During the COVID lockdown, we had the chance to digitize his photographic treasures. We acquired a device from abroad that allowed us to convert many negatives to digital format. Although many negatives were damaged, the ones we salvaged were invaluable. Sadly, my father passed away, July 2023, before completing this project, but it was an honor for me, as his son, to carry on this work. Though I may not do full justice to it, I am proud to share it. I worked on his notes and my personal capabilities to understand the photo grid and make this book possible.
- May you briefly highlight a few of the most important lessons or revelations that readers should anticipate from your book?
Readers will be able to see some of the rare photos of that time. Each picture tells its own stories and each story connects with the rich political and social aspects of that time in Bihar.
- Which case studies or real-world examples from your book best exemplify the concepts you cover?
In one of the chapters, Ex- Prime Minister Sri Chandra Shekhar is seen sitting under a tree, talking to a poor family. No major drama around it. These are things rare to see at this time. Leaders were more grounded and closer to the public or as we call as “aam-aadmi”
- Did you face any unique difficulties while writing this book? If so, describe them and how you overcame them.
Biggest challenge was understanding a few subjects as many stories were from the time before I was even born. But yes, my dad’s notes and as he used to discuss these topics with me, I was able to put this together.
- How do you think your book will improve readers’ lives and what do you hope they will learn from reading it?
My main intention is readers’ joy through seeing the collection of rare pictures, also to understand what has changed from then to now.
- In an ever-evolving world, how does your book continue to be applicable and flexible for readers throughout time?
Most of the people mentioned in the book are relevant till today and will always be as they were part of Nation Building. A lot of them are active now as well. I have put in as little text as possible just to convey the context. I want readers to enjoy the pictures and it is also a work of art. And art never fades.
