September 10, 2024: The Photography Association of Sri Lanka hosted a special screening of the documentary "Lyrical Lens" at the prestigious Lionel Wendt Art Centre in Colombo. Directed by Prof. Ankuran Dutta and produced by Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust, the film delves into the life and work of renowned photographer Nalini Baruah, an octogenarian who has captured over 300,000 photographs throughout his extraordinary eight-decade career. Lyrical Lens offers not only a biographical sketch of this legendary image artist but also insights into his photographic philosophy, shaped by his vast experiences. Through his unique "lyrical lens," Baruah introduces viewers to Assam, a scenic state in northeastern India.
Founded in 1906, the Photography Association of Sri Lanka took the initiative to showcase Baruah’s remarkable journey through Prof. Dutta's documentary. Association President Romesh De Silva expressed gratitude to Prof. Dutta for spotlighting a photographer whose career spans an unparalleled 80 years. He noted that Baruah might be the only photographer in the world with such a lengthy active career. The event was attended by many association members and special invitees, all of whom appreciated the tribute to the master photographer.
The 52-minute documentary, produced in 2023, has already received recognition at several international film festivals, including the 13th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2024, Paradise Film Festival in Budapest 2023, the 9th Jaffna International Cinema Festival 2023, and the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Kolhapur International Film Festival 2024. Prior to this, Prof. Dutta's 2020 documentary Stalking the Storks, which focused on greater adjutant storks, was also widely acclaimed on the international festival circuit.
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