The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Freeze-frame with a genial touch

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 08, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Freeze-frame with a genial touch

Puja S. Navin

Camera has been his constant companion. All of 85 years old, Shunmugam is one of the oldest photographers in twin cities

A VETERAN'S VIEW: Capturing images is child's play for V.C. Shunmugam.

HYDERABAD: He's carried the camera for 69 years. But it's not just memories in black and white frames he has captured for his customers that endear him to them; it's his gentle demeanour that sets him apart.

V.C. Shunmugam of Asvin Studios is one of the oldest photographers in the twin cities. In his 85-year-old life frame, the lights and shades of history can be seen through landscapes, family portraits and wedding ceremonies he has captured over years.

"I have seen babies grow into mothers, even grandmothers, boys become industrialists, businessmen and traders and roads widen," he recalls. A tryst with a camera in boyhood turned into a hobby soon and then into a freelance profession. Even though he joined the railways as a clerk (1942 to 1978), he didn't abandon the camera.

He began sending photographs to `Saloons of photography' in India and abroad, many of which exhibited his work.

The highlight of his career was in 1946 when he won the first prize in the first all-India Art in industry exhibition. His quality work brought customers such as Hyderabad Race Course, Secunderabad Club, State Bank of India Staff College, Hyderabad Public School and oil companies, many who still continue their association.

Gentle demeanour

"He is a very pleasant man who goes about his work quietly without any show-off," says Anthony Emanuel of Emanuel Photographers.

In 1951, he set up Asvin Studio. Coming from an era when quality was paramount, Mr. Shunmugam feels quality has got lost somewhere in the maze of quantity and speed of work.

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