The "Prabuddha DasGupta"

The "Prabuddha Das Gupta"

About 14 years ago, I think it was during the initial days we got our cable connection, there was a program in Star TV (as it was called then) on Sunday mornings which was hosted by Sanjana Kapoor (daughter of Late Sashi Kapoor) which was the only lifestyle show at that moment on TV. On one of the episode, I remember, it had featured some of the eminent Fashion photographers who were making news. It included contemporary names like Rafique Sayed, Rakesh Shreshta, Dabboo Ratnani, Gautam Rajadhyaksha and some other. Prabuddha's work was briefly showed. The black and white images clearly stuck to my mind and soul. And the next few days, my tryst with this genius started. 

It was the days when internet was in infancy, not to mention that there were no PC at that time in my home. I was a student in college, so any other interaction with the web was out of question.

There were very few Internet Cafe's nearby and surfing net was really exorbitantly priced (~Rs 50/Hr).

So all I was left to was books. And I did exactly that. 

I started to visit the old magazine shops on the streets and collected the fashion magazines which featured Prabuddha. I still continue the same and if I come across any fashion magazine featuring him, I still buy it. I have created a good collection of them in my home and even with all force from my mom and wife to sale these "Junks" and clear some space in the cupboard, I have not succumbed.

After I started to work after college, I had the luxury to surf web occasionally and I remember I used to search google for PrabuddhaDasGupta.com....but it always returned "Page Not Found"....till recently when he launched his website, my wait for several years ended. And the domain www.prabuddhadasgupta.com opened and today's enthusiasts could access his work by the click of the button.

I know, for most, Prabuddha is synonymous with the work he did on Ladakh. But for me, I was exposed to his work for an AD of Prafull Sarees (which was also shot on Ladakh). These were color shots of Ladakh (as against his B&W book on the place) with a model in the midst of nowhere in Ladakh. I got them in one of the numerous ELLE magazines I possess.

Photographers of Kolkata would agree that we do not get to see great Photographic works exhibited frequently in our galleries often as in Mumbai or Delhi.

Fuji Film, about 8-10 years ago had started an initiative to showcase some of the leading photographers in their "Super Six" campaign. The objective from Fuji was definitely branding, but in the process they would arrange an exhibition in all major cities in India. The list consisted some big names in various genres and Prabuddha was one of them. This gave me chance to watch Prabuddha's work in print at Academy Of Fine Arts, South Gallery, Kolkata. However, these were not B&W images. It featured the VAMA print ADs, the below link have them:

http://www.prabuddhadasgupta.com/comissioned/11.html

Not very long ago,  CHIVAS REGAL arranged similar initiative in CHIVAS STUDIO campaign where Prabuddha's print exhibition travelled to Kolkata. Just looking at an AD on The Telegraph, I went directly to The Oberoi, Kolkata where it was hosted. Not knowing that entry was only by invitation, I had to return disappointed.

Why I am inspired by Prabuddha?

The answer is not very easy for me. I like the tactile quality of his B/W images. When you see them you can feel the texture of the image. I know Prabuddha used to do his own prints and what prints they were.

In this very very cluttered Fashion Photography circuit I think you can easily spot the mark of "The Prabuddha Dasgupta"  in all of his images.

And yes I love his persona...his baritone voice...his intellectual looks (very unlike fashion photographer attitude...)

Yes, I am a great fan of his personal work like many....but I am truely inspired by his commercial works.

I think not only they sale the brands but they are also art photography.

If you know his story, you might know that an accidental incident made him a photographer from a copywriter at Lintas. And what an accident it was....the world could enjoy such commercial photographic art for a brief period of time and then a very unpleasant accident took it all away....

Prabuddha, you will be missed by every one who knew you...you will be missed by many many more who never knew you personally however you remained a silent inspiration....and I will miss you dearly....

And yes....your work will still continue to inspire all of us for generations to come....