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Life behind the lens

Photographer Tarun Khiwal reveals his world over lunch at Veda

PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

SHOOT AT SITE Tarun Khiwal trying some snacks at Veda restaurant in Connaught Place

A picture tells a hundred stories. But are all these stories true? Does it also reflect a photographer's personality? These are some of the questions that befuddled one's mind for long. The answer lies with Tarun Khiwal, one of the foremost names in Indian fashion photography. Last year, he was named The Hasselbad Master, the photography world's equivalent of the Oscars. Recently he won the F Award, and has been chosen by the world's leading IT magazine, Red Herring to shoot its cover.

"I have seen a 50-year-old behaving like a child in front of my camera and a five-year-old trying to be a dadaji," says Tarun taking some time out for a conversation at Veda restaurant in New Delhi's Connaught Circus.

Opulent décor

The restaurant is a venture of popular chef Suvir Saran, who earlier took Devi restaurant in New York to newer heights. Apart from the food, what really makes Veda different is the opulent décor designed by Rohit Bal.

Known for portraits, Tarun says, "A picture is a way to one's personality. People hide their real self under a number of layers. Generally, film stars are too guarded to reveal their true side. This kills the joy if the shoot is not for a commercial purpose." He cites Shah Rukh Khan as an exception. "I told him I didn't need Shah Rukh the star. He understood the point and came for the shoot in black and white in chappals. And he didn't mind smoking too, as it's part of his personality. I got some real intense pictures."

The clock suggests that it's snack time, and Tarun orders a vegetable platter. A vegetarian by choice, Tarun says it's difficult to survive as one. "Particularly if I have to travel abroad quite often. Outside India, people seem to think the whole world survives on non-vegetarian stuff. Once, in Cape Town, I ordered a sandwich and the waiter turned up with a chicken sandwich. Now even if I order a vegetable platter, I first check out whether everything in it is really vegetarian."

Sipping fresh limejuice, Tarun says he doesn't have any special culinary choices. "My job is such that I am used to a working lunch. Also because of my work profile I eat very light during the day. I know it's opposite to what doctors say, but my heaviest meal of the day is dinner. I like to have a nice, peaceful dinner with my family. Given a chance I like to have dhaba food, provided it's nicely arranged."

The kitchen is not a place for Tarun. "My only USP is rum coffee. Here you add a little rum while stirring. It tastes great in winters."

During shoots, Tarun says he survives on curry, rice and fruits. "Then, pasta is one option I like."

Shy boy!

Hailing from Lucknow, Tarun says he was a shy boy. "The camera was my passport to popularity in school. People identified me because I used to take good pictures with my Pentax K 1000 gifted by my father."

Tarun's tale continues to the crackling of crisp papad as he nibbles on it. Family pressure forced him to study engineering, but he knew his destiny lay elsewhere. "At that time the profession didn't have social acceptance. Till a few years ago my father's friends used to ask me, so you are a photographer. Do you shoot weddings? ".

Moving on to baked potatoes and fried paneer, Tarun recalls, "I loved clicking pictures. I didn't know then what were the options available or how much I could earn . I joined Hardev Singh as an assistant. When on the first day I came to know he earned Rs.10,000 per day, I was stunned."

At a time when technology seems to be making photographyinto child's play, Tarun still swears by his old Hasselbald. "I believe too much technology is killing aesthetics. People should learn the ABC before making sentences," he sums up as he finishes the platter with a mouthful of mushrooms.

ANUJ KUMAR

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