The highlight at Lifescapes, a show hosted by Evolve Back (formerly Orange County resorts), will be the aegis of celebrated photographer Thanjavur Nateshacharya Ayyam Perumal, who passed away in February earlier this year. Perumal, a pioneer of wildlife photography in South India, was one among the show’s jurors and curators.
Offering tribute to Perumal, Lifescapes will observe World Wildlife Conservation Day, and also extend the initiative, ‘Conservation through Conversation’.
“The purpose is to tell people a simple story on the nature of our land, through an outstanding photograph and accompanying essay,” offers Jose Ramapuram, Director Marketing at Evolve Back, who was instrumental in shaping the luxury resort’s new identity. “TNA Perumal evokes respect and awe amongst aspiring photographers,” avers Ramapuram.
“With a lifetime of work dedicated to wildlife, he was ideal to nurture the initiative.” The show brings together stalwarts Jayanth Sharma, Kalyan Varma and Sudhir Shivaram, as well as budding lensmen like Dr Bishan Monnappa, an orthopaedic surgeon. The pictures were reproduced by Sudeep Gurtu.
“Perumal took to the camera at an era when wildlife photography was at a nascent stage in India,” notes Ramapuram. Starting with black and white photography in the 1960s and ’70s, Perumal’s efforts were recognised with a national award for lifetime achievement in 2012.
Spirit of the land
“Lifescapes springs from Evolve Back’s philosophy of being one with the spirit of the land,” offers Ramapuram. The show presents pictures captured through years of silent observation of the nature surrounding us, he informs. “The idea is to showcase the subject in all its glory, and propagate the larger cause of conservation through a meaningful conversation,” he says.
“As time and technology makes travel easy, our planet is paying a price for all this human movement,” reflects Ramapuram. “Tourism is now recognised as a major contributor to planetary defilement.”
The concept of responsible tourism is thus a natural extension to Evolve Back projects, he explains. The hosts also actively encourage the preservation of indigenous art forms. At their resort in Kabini, for instance, Evolve Back supports dance forms of the local Kadu Kuruba tribe, by hosting performances, and encouraging the younger generation to keep the art alive.
The purpose of the initiative ultimately is “To start a dialogue among the urban metropolitan audience,” says Ramapuram. For the rest of it, the show is designed to kindle “a spark of interest in the nature and culture of our land”, he extends, by way of an invitation.
Lifescapes was held at Art Corridor, Taj West End on December 2, 11 am-5 pm.