GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
Gujarat-based Navajivan Trust, publishers of Gandhian books and founded by Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, is adopting to the fast-changing world of readers. For the first time, the publishers are bring out a coffee table book titled ‘That Which is Seen’ by internationally acclaimed photojournalist Prashant Panjiar in Ahmedabad on Saturday, says Vivek Desai, Managing Trustee.
A chance visit to one of the social media handles, Facebook, kindled the enthusiasm of this Gandhian and photographer to approach Prashant Panjiar for publishing the latter’s
recollection of anecdotes, stories and behind-the-scenes musings of different photographs he had taken during his 30-year career.
“The result is ‘That Which is Unseen’ which will be released on September 18 in Ahmedabad. The book has around 59 images and the stories around them, including 2002 Gujarat riots,” says Panjiar, a self-taught photographer.
Panjiar works on issues of health, education and livelihood across Asia and Africa for international non-profit organizations.
Spanning 3 decades, ‘That Which is Unseen’, is a compilation of back stories from Prashant Panjiar’s years as a photojournalist, told through his images and his words.
Starting with his first self-financed work on the dacoits of the Chambal valley, the book takes us through his journey working as a photojournalist with Patriot newspaper, India Today, Outlook, several foreign publications such as Time Magazine and transitioning to his documentary work for international non-profits such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American India Foundation, UNFPA, IPPF & HIV-AIDS Alliance.
Covering wide-ranging subjects such as Dacoits of the Chambal region; Terrorism in Punjab; 1984 anti-Sikh riots and its repercussions; Refugees; Pakistan; Afghanistan; Communal conflicts in India; Liberalisation; & the lives of the poor and marginalised; ‘That Which Is Unseen’ holds a mirror to the major issues that have shaped India’s recent history.
Panjiar’s coverage of 2002 Gujarat riots was published by The Indian Express in its Sunday Express telling the poignant stories of riots and its effect on the society. One of the photographs showing a wall segregating a Hindu-Muslim area in Ahmedabad brings back the dark memories of 2002.
Answering a query on the book’s title, Pinjiar said, right from Economic Reforms of 1990 to Blue Star Operation and their consequenes unfolded later. This led to the book’s title.
A photo exhibition on this book is open at Satya Art Gallery, Navajivan Trust Complex, near Gujarat Vidyapith and will end on November 14.
Various promotional events of the book will be held in major cities of the country. Senior Journalist Shekhar Gupta, former editor-in-chief of The Indian Express, will discuss with the author at an event in New Delhi.
THAT WHICH IS UNSEEN
Hard Cover | Size: 170 X 230 mm | Pages: 154 pages, including gatefolds
Images & Texts: Prashant Panjiar
Publisher: Navajivan Trust
Price: Rs 2500
SPECIAL OFFER
Pre-order THAT WHICH IS UNSEEN at a special discounted price of Rs. 2000 + shipping (offer valid till 18 September 2021).
For orders within India click here
For orders from outside India write to sales@navajivantrust.org
The book will be available on September 18, 2021 onwards on Amazon and other platforms.
