I am stunned to see similar compositions and perspectives of my grandfather Late Narayan Rao Kulkarni and my son Anuran. Similar thought processes and instincts, the artistic eye passed on to the third generation without much active intent is surreal. Here are the two photos…the … Continue reading Legacy, Compositions and Perspectives
I couldn’t visit Taaj Baudi when I was in Bijapur. I had seen glimpses of it in my grandfather’s collection. I hope post restoration, it gets back its old charm. Here is a click from his restored scanned collection. It is a reservoir and stepwell … Continue reading Taaj Bawdi
What I have found most intriguing and interesting are the envelopes and folders for tourists which Kalanidhi Studio sold. Imagine typesetting and merchandising nearly a hundred years ago? Here are a few ones…
If you have ever visited Nimbal, Ashram of Gurudev Dr. Ranade, then you must have noticed large black and white framed photographs in the centre of main meditation/ worship room. All those photographs were clicked and framed by Late Narayan Rao Kulkarni. In one of … Continue reading A Letter to a Photographer from his favourite Muse Gurudev Dr. R. D. Ranade
Glad to share that during the year end visit to Bijapur, I could connect many dots and most importantly we located the house too where Narayan Kulkarni had created his photo studio and museum, where many dignitaries had paid a visit, where many locals had … Continue reading House of Kalanidhi Photo Studio, Bijapur
Rumi had said something on the lines that when you start walking, the path appears. But often, one path leads to another. We are exploring ways to get archives and entire collections digitised. After my talk at Shrishti School of Design last year, someone had … Continue reading Archives Digitisation Update
Narayan Rao Kulkarni seems to have explored all spheres of spirituality. Here he is seen with the Great spiritual leader Dalai Lama. This was perhaps clicked in the 1960s. This is also part of his archival collections.
If you ever visit Bijapur or Vijayapura in Karnataka, you will be stunned by the sheer number of historical spots. ruins, large arches, and domes are still visible and prominent in the citadel city which was once a glorious capital town of Adil Shahi kingdom. … Continue reading Narayan Rao Kulkarni – A Lesser Known Photographer and Chronicler of Freedom Movement
Mysore palace illumination clicked by Late Narayan Rao Kulkarni – my Nana. We found this print in the collection. Wonder how he got the parameters right in that era to get such a clear image? My mother had apparently performed solo here during the ten … Continue reading Mysore Palace Illumination
Marshall Major General Cariappa and Nana Here is another photograph scanned from one of many of the archival negatives . This is a rare photo of my Nana and his family with Field Marshall Major General Cariappa (the first Army commander in chief of the … Continue reading With Marshall Major General Cariappa
Narayan Rao Kulkarni's 