Freeze... frame... fix, Mohan Rao captures 'em all

They say the photographer, not the camera, is the instrument. True to this adage, the work of Mamillapalli Achyuta Mohan Raoaka M A Mohan Rao can vouch for it. Even though his rendezvous with photography started off on a rather obligatory note, it soon turned into a passion. Born in 1940, Rao's romance with lenses began at the age of 12. He believes that a photograph becomes a moment of history that is gone forever and that cannot be reproduced.This is precisely the reason why he has been documenting historical events, especially of Andhra Pradesh and Vijayawada, for the last 60 years through his eyes - the lenses. In a freewheeling chat with TOI, the photo chronicler, talks about his journey.
Share with us your early life
I was born and brought up in Vijayawada. I just had basic education and started working with my cousins as a tailor. In 1952, I used to visit the house of veteran photographer K V Naidu of the then famous Bombay Studio to deliver clothes of his daughter. I used to frequent their studio as well. On one such occasion, I went inside the darkroom where photographs were being developed. I went in and developed a photograph with an appropriate frame though I never knew the basics. Stunned by my work, Naidu and his daughter trained me in photography.
How was it to take to photography after tailoring?
I was very reluctant to work in the studio. I used to earn Re 1 for a shirt and Rs 1.25 for a pant in tailoring and I used to make a decent living. However, I think I had a natural flair for photography. So even though I didn't want to change my profession, I started enjoying it and it became my passion. I used to develop photos in the darkroom and on Sundays I would practise with the camera.
How has your journey been?
Even though I started my journey in 1952, I started working for various newspapers, including national magazines only from 1960. Between 1952 and 1960, I used to click photos only on select occasions. Right from prime ministers to famous politicians to film stars to normal public, I used to work with everybody. I have published photos as a photo journalist in 160 dailies and periodicals of all major languages in India. I am known for my cover page photographs and I used to regularly work with national magazines like India Today and Frontline . I used to travel across India to document all major events.
How was it documenting Vijayawada over the years?
Vijayawada has changed, tremendously at that. I used to cover all major events in the city. I have photographs of former PM Jawaharlal Nehru going around Vijayawada, Lal Bahadur Shastri addressing a Congress meeting in Guntur, film stars such as Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, NTR, ANR and many others visiting the city. Name a VIP who visited Vijayawada and I will give you their photographs. I have snapshots of the Krishna anicut before the construction of Prakasam barrage and those snapped during construction of the barrage and Nagarjuna Sagar project too. The photographs of the curfew in the aftermath of Vangaveeti Ranga's death also have been preserved.
You have one of the largest photo libraries in the country. Tell us about it.
(Laughs) When I started clicking photographs I never knew that I was documenting history. I have the habit of recording and preserving the happenings. So every day, I collect all the photographs that appear in all newspapers. I wake up at 6 am and cut the photographs in newspapers and magazines. This is something I have been doing religiously since I took to photography. I never had an intention to maintain a library. However, if I come to think of it, maybe I collected all the major photographs for the future generations. Now I have the largest collection - both my work and of others -- of film stars, politicians and their families, landscapes as well as historical, cultural and political events. I have hundreds of albums, each classified into a category. Perhaps, it is the largest in India.
How has photography changed over the years?
I see a lot of young people getting into photography these days. It is a positive sign. However, I feel that photographers are now heavily relying on software and other editing technology. Photography is all about the skill of the photographer. And with all due respect to all the photographers, I feel that the skill is missing in many. This is due to over-dependence on editing software as they are under the impression that editing can correct anything and everything.
Heard you have made a photo documentary of journey of CM N Chandrababu Naidu. What is it about?
Yes, I have photographs of Chandrababu Naidu right from his early days in politics. I made an album with his photos from 1982 to recent times. I will present it to him soon.
What are your future plans?
I want to establish a photo museum with all my collection. Even though I was a busy photographer earlier, I was never able to cash in on it. That's why I wasn't even able to build my own house. I am worried that all the collection will be lost after my time as none from my family is into photography. Also, I will soon organise a photo exhibition of my work which will show what Vijayawada was before it became what it is today.