HISTORY THROUGH IMAGES: C.G.K. Nair and artist Suresh Peralasseri looking at a painting on display at an exhibition on Palace Grounds in Bangalore on Tuesday. — Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Bangalore: The five-day All India Conference of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) was inaugurated at the palace Grounds here on Tuesday with the inauguration of a photography exhibition.

"In Defence of Civilization" is a recollection of the violence inflicted on humanity over the last century, "by the greed of imperialism and the brutality of fascism."

Starting with World War I, the exhibition of 300 photographs, images and art culminates in the execution of Saddam Hussain.

"Photography, we believe, has the power to tell a story and capture moments in history," says A. Kutbudin, committee member of the Kerala-based Forum for Progressive Artistes and Writers, who organised the exhibition.

The images indeed tell the story of the horrors of warand political repression through history.British soldiers, blinded by mustard gas line up for medical treatment during World War II; victims of the holocaust lie in a heap at Auschwitz where Hitler's ruthless efficiency ensured that he could "get rid of 10,000 people in 24 hours."

The dangerous conversion to fascism of hundreds of German students is captured in a photograph as they take the Nazi salute, while books by Einstein, Freud and Wells go up in flames.

Viewers see history repeat itself few panels down, when Neo-nazis march ominously through the streets in East Germany. Or when trishul-wielding mobs gather at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid.

The exhibition also captures iconic moments of dissent and triumph.

Of Nelson Mandela serving his prison term in Robben Island.

Of Martin Luther King as he delivers his legendary "I have a dream" speech in 1963. Not forgotten either are the many anonymous faces of dissent, as they protest war and oppression, on the streets of New Delhi, Istanbul and London. The exhibition will be open till January 21.

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