Federation of Indian Photography

G.THOMAS. M.B.B.S. FPSA. FRPS. PSA4*. HON.YPS. HON.FRPS. HON.FPSA. HON.EFIAR HON.FNPAS. HON.PSI.

Born on 15-4-1907, Died in 1993.

• Associate : Royal Photographic Society (1943) Photographic Society of America (1946)
• Fellow : Royal Photographic Society (1949), Photographic Society of America (1951)
• Honorary Excellence: Federation Internationale de 1'Art Photographique (1956) Federation of Asian Photographic Art (1977)
• Honorary Member : Photographic Association Bengal (1953), Photpgraphic Society of Maharashtra (1956), Mysore Photographic Society (1970), Photographic Society of Madhya Pradesh (1974), Youth Photographic Society, Bangalore (1976) Photographic
• Society of America (1976) Photographic Society of India (1978) Honorary Fellow : National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka (1971) Photographic Club K.B.G. of South Vietnam (1973)
• Photographic Society of China (1974)
• Four Star Rating of the Photographic Society of America in Pictorialism (1951)

Dr. Thomas was born on 15 April 1907. After taking his M.B.B.S., Degree at Madras in 1929, he was practicing as a Medical Doctor at Madras, Kanpur, Jaipur and Bantva (Saurashtra), the scene of many of his pictures, before settling down in Bangalore in 1943.

His interest in Photography started at the age of 12 and more seriously in 1937, when he became a member of the Photographic Society of India. He founded and ran, as Secretary, the '1940 Portfolio Circle' and in 1945, he became the founder, the heart and the soul of the Mysore Photographic Society, both of which events are important milestones in the history of Photography in India. In 1953, he founded, and continues as Secretary General of, the National Body, the Federation of Indian Photography.

His personal achievements are listed in the opening paragraph and all that needs to be said is that more than anyone else, he has transformed the 'frog in the well' that Indian Photography had become, into a National Movement, with extensive International relations with Photographic Society of America and with the Federation Internationale de 1sArt Photographique, which he has helped to shape, nurture and expand. As a judge, a critic, a writer, a lecturer, guide, philosopher and friend, his record is unequalled, while as an organiser he is nonpareil. In recent years he has travelled extensively abroad to build bridges for Indian Photography and is now Continental Representative for the FIAP in Asia and President of the Federation of Asian Photographic Art. He was, until recently, the Honorary Representative of the PSA in India. For his immense contributions to the cause of Photography, the Photographic Society of America conferred on him its rare distinction of Honorary Membership in 1976.

C. Rajagopal
Bangalore, December 1976

My good friend, Dr. G. Thomas, has been devoted to photography for several decades by now. In 1974 he was invited by the Photographic Society of China to exhibit some of his pictures at Taipei. His selection of natural scenes is unexcelled and his composition is especially of the highest order. Even ordinary scenes would be turned into remarkable sights by his unique choice of light and angles. They are all masterpieces, indeed.

Generally speaking, the selection of scenes is an acid test to the photographer, for one's sentiments and feelings of the moment are all fully revealed by the shots he makes. In the case of Dr. Thomas, his works best demonstrate the beauty and depth of Oriental culture and I have been deeply impressed by his accomplishments. When one sees his pictures, one knows what a highly cultured gentleman and a sensitive artist he is. The present collection of landscapes contains Dr. Thomas's most valuable works and deserves careful study by all lovers of good photography.

Chin-San Long
President
Photographic Society of China
Spring, 1979
Taipei, Taiwan,
Republic of China

The Greatest Loss To The Federation

Dr. G. Thomas, our Founder, President of Honour, Hon. Member, Secretary General, Treasurer of FIP and Editor of the Viewfinder passed away on the 17th of April 1993, two days after his 86th Birthday.

Dr. Thomas was the Federation and the Federation was Dr. Thomas for forty years, but he was much, more than that in the World of Photography, as a much beloved Doctor, and as a person.

Guide, Philosopher, Friend, Physician, Father Confessor to one and all, he will be sorely missed by thousands in the years to come.

He had achieved practically everything one could have achieved in the field of Photography and in 1953 his concept of the National Federation was given shape by him and created single handedly, and is what it is today. His was a unremitting labour of love for forty years for several hours a day, every day, and his handling of the FIP finances was so perfect, that it was almost unbelievable. And, he had nothing to gain from all this personally, but his dedication, commitment, and sheer hard work can never be equaled.

One and all of us, in the Federation are one with Dr. John A. Thomas, Dr. (Mrs.) Manorama Thomas and David Thomas in their great loss and share their sorrow in full measure. We will miss the good doctor greatly in the years to come.

Dear Doctor ! we will look after the Federation your Baby, as best as we can, in the spirit in which you would have done, and see it survives and flourishes!

May your Soul Rest in Peace!

[Your Editor ( C.Rajagopal ) as one of his closest associates for decades, and on whom the task of carrying on the Federation has been laid, and as one whom the passing of Dr. Thomas, affected most personally, and other wise, has a very high standard and ideals to live up to and needs all of your total support to do this in even lesser measure. It was our Founder's wish that all that has been done should not be undone, with him. Let us respect this, his dearest wish.]

15th April 1993

The date marks the 86th Birthday of our Founder Dr. G. Thomas: It was planned to felicitate him on the day, by conferring of "The President of Honour" and "Hon. Member" of the Federation. As he was unexpectedly taken ill this celebration had to be in very low key, and after the Function detailed below the President, Vice President and Secretary General, representing the whole Federation Membership had to briefly meet him in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital, hand over the citation, and pray for and wish him a speedy recovery.As part of the programme, the Exhibition" 150 years of Photography" India 1839-1900, collected by Dr. G. Thomas, masterminded by Dr. N. Bhagwandas, FIP President, recreated by Rajan Babu and associates of the Andhra Pradesh State Akademi of Photography, was put on display at the Mythic Society. It was inaugurated by Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, Polymath, Historian Scholar. The public response and Press support were surprisingly good. (Photo on Cover4)Also, the Federation took the opportunity to hold its Working Committee Meeting and Extraordinary General Body Meeting to confirm the decisions of the similar meeting held at the Jamshedpur Convention on 6.2.1993.

(Details will appear in the subsequent issue of the Viewfinder.)

Viewfinder April 1993

50, Sri Ram Mandir Road was the most famous address in the Indian photographic scenario for nearly 50 odd years. Today you will not find that remarkable spacious cottage, which was known as the Head Quarters of the Federation of Indian Photography. The memories of those fortunate days of frequenting this place and interacting with the man who shaped the destiny of photography in India is something which time may never erode. My better-half, a neighbour and fondly called 'favourite patient' by the Doctor-painter-photographer and photography administrator, joins me and all members of Youth Photographic Society in paying tribute to the Pithamaha of Indian Photography -Dr. G. Thomas, HOD.FRPS, HOH.EFIAP, HOO.PSA, EPSA, FRPS. Here reproduced are some of the enlightening words penned by him. Photography, Yesterday and Tomorrow, May 1973.

"The pictorial outlook in those happy days was essentially the classical, romantic styles, nurtured by the veterans of those days. But, this outlook has of late begun to be nudged out be experiments which vary from the 'novel viewpoints', 'blurred motion', 'technical jugglery', life in the raw', 'slice of life', 'decisive moment', and other attempts, which have not so far displayed any content commensurate with the genius and culture of the country. Now then, when we come to talk of tomorrow, we can but conjecture the trends, but cannot predict the practitioners, nor anticipate the events. But, it stands to reason that the photographer of the future will be a better versed person, both in the techniques and in the basic sciences, whereas yesterday the photographer learnt what he knew by trial and error, tomorrow, he will learn by it from books and teachers." Viewfinder, Official Journal of FIP, July 1964.

"The power of the printed word is vast and potent. It matters not whether the content of the word is trite or profound, wise or silly, true or false, the fact that it is in print is enough to leave an indelible scar 'for better, for worse' in the minds of those who read it... may we implore those who have anything to do with publications to stop and think for a while before they rush to publish all that they may have in the recesses of their brains, but which may, perhaps, be most often best left unsaid."

Address given at the opening ceremony of 2nd MPS International Salon inaugurated by Sir CV.Raman, 1949, Bangalore.

"The first thing that strikes you as you go round the Salon will be the unity of the world in the field of art. Behind the news paper headlines that disturb our tranquillity of mind, you see, albeit dimly, through these pictures, artists, who are just human beings like us, capable of pursuing the most peaceful and the most satisfying urge to make pictures with their cameras. These artists surely have emotions even as we have and react at them much as we do. they live, perhaps in strange climes and talk even stranger tongues; but their pictures talk to each one, in our own tongues and touch the cords in our hearts in a way that is limited only by our capacity to respond to the stimulus. Is it not a proof then, that we belong to the "One World" which seems nearer to the artists than to the politicians?"

Mohammed Arfan Asif, ARPS. ARAP

"NEWSLETTER" is an official publication of YPS

Editor : Dr. Shailesh A. V. Rao & Dr. Manoj C Sindhgi

Publisher : Mr. H. V. Praveen Kumar, President, No. 1027,4th main, 'D' block, IInd stage, Rajajinagar, Bangalore - 560 010. Phone: 3324432 (Res).

Groflaliae: Mr. G. Harinarayana, Phone: 3372864

After taking MBBS degree at Madras in 1929, he settled in Bangalore after practicing medical in many other places. His interest in photography started at the age of 12 and more seriously in 1937. He became the founder, heart and soul of Mysore Photographic society in 1945. He founded and continued as a secretary of the Federation of Indian Photography for 40 Years. He was a Judge, critic, a writer, a lecturer, guide, philosopher, and friend to many and his record unequalled. He was also a Continental Representative of FIAP an Hon.Representative of PSA in India. His style of photography was described as " Classic-Romantic", he is not an illustrator, but a creator, using the Subject Matter to build up a composition of line, tone and mood. He was using a fully non automatic VKP Exakta, with an Uncoated Tessar Lens. He used Super xx film and a solvent Developer, MCW-2a loaded with hypo. He had achieved Practically everything one could have achieved in the field of Photography. He was awarded Kannada Rajyothsava Award and was honorary member for many photographic societies. He Passed away on 17th April 1993.

"For extraordinary leadership in advancing the art and science of photography, through his work as an internationally acclaimed pictorialist, as a scientist, as an administrator and as a prolific writer, lecturer, for inspiring countless other photographers and for promotion and services to the society."

—Excerpt from the citation awarded to C. Rajagopal from the Photographic Society of America.

C. RAJAGOPAL is a photographer of world renown, whose specialization and first love is pictorial photography. His interest in photography began at a young age and grew and matured through his years as a scientist with the National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL). He soon became one of India's most well known photographers, acclaimed for his artistic line of light style of photography in the black-and-white medium.

Today, at the age of 76, he is the recipient of more than 200 awards and certificates of merit, the highest honours from international photographic societies and the admiration and respect of fellow-photographers and laymen all over the world. His autobiographical piece in this book gives us a clearer idea of the art and philosophy of C. Rajagopal. Reproduced alongside are some significant excerpts from the impressive list of honours he has received :

Honorary Fellowships / Memberships

1. Hon. Fellow, Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain —1989
2. Hon. Fellow, The Photgraphic Society of America —1992 (One of six in the world, the only Indian.)
3. Hon. Excellence, Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique.
4. Hon. Fellow, Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka —1977
5. Hon. Fellow, Photographic Salon Group, Pakistan —1995
6. Hon. Fellow, Image Colleague Society, USA
7. Hon. Member, Photographic Society of America
8. Hon. Member, Federation of Indian Photography

Fellowships and Awards

1. Maitre de Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique (MFIAP) —1981 (Second photographer in the world and the first in India to receive this honour from the UNESCO body, of which he is Continental Representative for Asia.)
2. 5-star award from the Photographic Society of America —1994 (The first in India)
3. 5-star Plus — Proficiency, Photographic Society of America : Proficiency —1997
4. John Doscher Memorial Award, Photographic Society of America —1995, for outstanding contributions to classical photography. (First non - American to receive this award.)
5. Photographer of the Year 1975, Camera Magazine
6. Service Medal, Federation of Indian Photography
7. Lalit Kala Academy Award, Govt. of Karnataka
8. Rajyothsava Award, Government of Karnataka


Rajagopal's achievements extend far beyond the awards and honours he has received. He has been an instiration and mentor to two generations of photographers. He is also a judge, critic, writer and teacher of photography. He has served as Secretary General and Treasurer of the Federation of Indian Photography (FIP) and the editor of Viewfinder, FIP's official journal.

Interestingly, Rajagopal has applied his knowledge of photography to scientific research, setting up many benchmarks in the process. During his years at the National Aerospace Laboratory, Rajagopal developed special photographic techniques for studying aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, materials, control systems, flight testing, reprography and other applications.

Rajagopal has been a long-time resident of Bangalore where he lives with his wife Shanta and daughter Susheela.

If life is a collage of fleeting moments, Benu Sen's camera has trapped them in myriad tones and hues. Be it his monochromes with alluring play of light and shade, or his poignant candid shots - Benu Sen has proved his metier in varied domains of photography.

Mr. Benu Sen (1932) served as Secretary General, Federation of Indian Photography and President of Photographic Association of Dum Dum was the living legend in the field of International Pictorial Photography. His contribution both as individual artist and as a promoter for the development of Indian Photography is perhaps exceeds that of any Indian Photographer.

Trained to be a ground engineer, Benu Sen's alliance with the viewfinder happened by a sheer play of chance. It was August 15, 1954, when Sen accompanied a camera-lugging friend to an Independence Day celebration. The device sparked off his curiosity and he was keen to have a look at the new equipment with his friend, who however turned down the request on the ground that his tampering might damage the camera. That came as a blow to his pride which took him the very next day to a junk market in Kolkata - to look for lenses, tin and other scrap materials to assemble his very own camera. The success of this attempt triggered a spurt of diverse experimentation in camera mechanics and darkroom techniques. Not surprisingly, engineering took a backseat.

He was the 3rd man in the world to have received the rare honour of 'Master of Photography' (M.F.I.A.P.) from the Federation International de L'Art Photographique, a body under the recognition of UNESCO. He was conferred the Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (F.R.P.S.) in 1975, EFIAP in 1960, ESFIAP in 1972, and few years back conferred with Hon. EFIAP, the highest honour of FIAP.He had number of Honorary fellowships like Hon F.J.I.A.P. (Japan), F.N.P.A.S. (Sri Lanka), Hon. F.P.B.S. (Bangladesh), Hon. F.P.A.D (India),Hon. F.C.O.S (Romania), Hon. P.A.B, Hon. S.O.P etc. for his contribution to pictorial photography.

In 1957, Benu Sen, along with a like-minded friends, established the Photographic Association of Dumdum (PAD) to practice, propagate and discuss the nuances of this art form. Another remarkable contribution of Sen is his initiative in setting up a state-of-the-art photography department in the Indian Museum Kolkata. Established in 1963, it was the first of this kind in India.

However, the most notable milestone for this septuagenarian photo artist was perhaps the starting of free photographic courses under the wings of PAD. Since the launch of the course in 1969, PAD has blossomed into a full-fledged institute for systematic schooling in photography, totally free of cost. With an expert faculty, all of whom are engaged voluntarily.

His other remarkable contribution to photography are the BS4 formula, an extra ordinary fine grain developer for tropical countries., Tonorama and macro pictography. He introduced colour photogram and colour separation from Black & White Negatives in India.

He has organized seven (7) International Photographic Conferences, twelve (12) All India Seminars, forty eight (48) international Salons and several local exhibitions to promote and propagate photography throughout the world. He organized a number of Solo Exhibitions and Group Shows. He presented a number of papers and published a number of articles, delivered T.V & Radio talks on photography. He was former Vice President and founder member of India International Photographic Council, New Delhi and Former Vice President, Calcutta Photo Club Coordination Center. He has served as Jury of selection in a number of International Salons both in India and abroad during the last 50 years. He has written a few books as well. One of the most valuable publications was "Art of Photography" in 1979. He is co-author of the most important book "Experimental Photography" and "Learn Photography". Benu Sen's finesse is all-encompassing, spanning the range of photo¬journalism, architectural photography, portraits and the subtieties of pictorialism -according to him an ionic status in the glossy world of Photography. But his most enduring legacy will perhaps be in pioneering efforts in opening up new vistas in photography for the generation after us.

Benu Sen retired from the Indian Museum as photo Officer in 1990 contributed a lot both in the field of Social & Cultural Anthropology and allied Museum Photography. As an artist he had enormous number of Exhibits in different Salons throughout the world and won several awards from various countries during last fifty years of his artistic photography. For his peculiarly imaginative works, which look less like photographs and more like painter's dabblings, he was adjudged the best Indian Pictorialist by the Camera World International, Australia besides being honoured by the Harvard Senetic Museum, Harvard University, for his outstanding contribution to museum photography. He was conferred life time achievement award by Government of India in 2010 for his valuable contribution in the field of creative photography.

Honorary Fellowships / Memberships

1. Hon. Excellence, Federation Internationale De l'Art Photographique(Hon. EFIAP) -2006
2. Hon. Fellow, Photographic Association of Dum Dum(Hon. FPAD) -1982
3. Hon. Fellow, Natioal Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka(Hon. FNPAS) - 1976
4. Hon. Fellow, Bangladesh Photographic Society (Hon. FBPS)
5. Hon. Member, Japan International Photographic Federation(Hon. JIPF)
6. Hon. Member Foto Club of Sibiu(Hon.FCOS), Romania
7. Hon. Member Federation of Indian Photography
8. Hon. Member Photographic Association of Bengal, Kolkata
9. Hon. Member Society of Photographers, Howrah
10. Honorary Member of many other photographic organisations

Honours/Distinctions/Award

1. Recipient of Life Time Achievement Award from Govt, of India - 2010
2. Master Federation Internationale De l'Art Photographique(MFIAP) - 1982 (Third Photographer in the world and second in India to receive this honour from the UNESCO recognized body FIAP)
3. Fellow of Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (FRPS) -1975
4. Excellent Service Federation Internationale De l'Art Photographique (ESFIAP) -1972

The third Secretary General to carry on glorious legacy of FIP - was the great Benu Sen Ji, widely and affectionately known as Benu Da in Indian Photography world.

I did not get a chance to meet Dr.G.Thomas and C. Rajagopal Ji in person, this is the reason enough to call me an unfortunate person, but I am not only fortunate enough to meet Benu Da several times, but also able to interact and discuss the intricacies of photographic art with him and in the process got benefited tremendously. I can still recall how difficult it was for me in earlier meetings at the time of LCC judging, to gather enough courage to even talk with him, that was the time of mid 80's and 90's, Benu Da was always a quiet and reserve person, a man of few words but what an enormous treasure of knowledge and imagination he had, he was a master artist, philosopher, guide and above all an excellent human being, always willing to help anybody and everybody. In real sense he was an artist of extra ordinary class, an inborn teacher, a doyen and a legendry pictorialist beyond compare, I do not get appropriate words to define Benu Da in totality, writing about Benu Da is an endless endeavour, he was far ahead of his time, very progressive and innovative always. Dr. Thomas very rightly described Benu Da as the "Wizard of Photography".

He was single mindedly engaged and devoted to the development of photography as an art form. He nurtured his students to achieve great heights in the field of creative photography, passionately ever engaged in imparting the knowledge to his students, enlightened their mind and thoughts - this is the reason Benu Da is ever loved and adored by his students.

Cruel death has snatched away Benu Da from us last year, but as I said earlier, artists don't die, legends don't die, they go very high and become stars to shine ever and ever.

-Anil Risal Singh