Beauty of monuments through the lens eye

It has been only five years since Dhana Korgaokar along with her husband Nilesh, finally decided to settle down in Delhi.

After spending years staying in Bangalore and Mumbai, for 56-year-old Dhana the vast treasure of heritage monuments turned out to be most intriguing element in the national capital.

It prodded her creative instincts to turn into a shutterbug. But Dhana was not alone, her husband, a retired personnel of Indian Army, also joined her in capturing the beauty of these monuments. Their work is now displayed for all photo-graphy and history enthusiasts at ‘Shaan-e-Dilli’ photography exhibition, India Habitat Centre.

The couple has captured the beauty of Jamali Kamali Mosque, located in Mehrauli Park. This 1528 AD monument is a tribute to Shaikh Jamali Kamboh, a renowned Sufi saint who lived during the pre-Mughal dynasty. Then, there is Rajon Ki Baoli, a step well constructed in 1516 AD. It is said to be the most beautiful baoli inside Mehrauli Archeological Park, built by Daulat Khan.

The glory of these historical sites has been captured in different shades. Like the entrance of Najaf Khan’s tomb near Safdarjung flyover has been presented in muted shades of black and white.

The Tomb of Shamsh-Ud-Din Iltutmish, located in Qutub Minar complex has been captured in sepia hues. The photograph of Bada Gumbad is clicked during night hours under halogen lights. Built during the reign of Sikander Lodi, this monument houses a three-domed mosque and a mehmaan khana (guest house) inside it.

Other photographs include Sultan Garhi Mihraab, the first Islamic tomb built for Prince Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, eldest son of Altmash in Malkapur village (near Vasant Kunj). The marble mihraab has inscriptions from the Quran, Mughal and Lodi tombs, Safdarjung Mausoleum the last Mughal monument built for Safdarjung, who was the chief minister of the Mughal empire.

Interestingly, Dhana presented the beauty of hammam at Red Fort by focussing on the intricate floral patterns of multi-coloured stones on white marble. She has clicked the pictures of the two rooms on the either side of the hammam which was used by the royal children for their bath.

Talking to Metrolife about the exhibition, Dhana says, “I have come across people who have been living in the city for years but haven’t visited any monuments, not even the Lodhi Tomb. The main purpose of the exhibition is to explore the not-so-known monuments and highlight their beauty. Unfortunately, today all these historical buildings have been neglected due to which they are lying in a poor condition.”  

The exhibition is on view till August 31 from 10 am to 8 pm at Delhi O Delhi Foyer, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road.