Translated by : Daradi Patar
Today, everybody clicks pictures. Since the past few years, technology has made photography a lot easier and obtainable. There is a huge difference between clicking pictures and photography. This difference can be brought about by an experienced photographer possessing an elegant mind. A photographer can infuse life into an ordinary picture.
A team from Ami Asomiya went for an interview with the first professional woman photo journalist of Assam, Monmoromi Mahanta for Ami Asomiya’s special photography edition of this month. Apart from me, Hrishiraj Sharma, Hemanta Debnath, Mridupawan Baruah and Tarangam Deka were also present.
Hrishiraj: Firstly, coming to the main topic, that was a period in which photography did not get much preference in Assam as a career, at that time how did you get attached to photography and got associated with it?
Monmoromi Mahanta: Let’s start from my home. We were residents of Namrup. My father was an employee in the Namrup fertilizer factory. After completing my schooling in Namrup itself I enrolled my name in Handique Girl’s College, Guwahati for pursuing graduation. At that time, Namrup fertilizer factory was declared a sick enterprise and a part of the employees were forced to take voluntary retirement. My father was also one among them. There was a period of financial crisis and as the eldest daughter of the family; a lot of burden was entrusted upon me. That is why I decided that after passing the bachelor exams I would try to get a job and give my father financial assistance. I had interest in photography from the very beginning and hence I met Shivananda Kakati from Assam Institute of Photography to learn photography. At that time, the new session had already begun, but after seeing my ardour, he allowed me to take admission even though I was late. In that way, I learnt photography while doing my degree. At that point, the help and support given to me by my mother and father in this context is worth mentioning. My parents extended their co-operation towards me in every step. I remember a fact of that time even today. At that time I was the only female in the field of photography. Therefore, I did not have any female companions. All my friends were boys. Back then, some people reported to my uncle about me that I was seen with boys all the time. Getting angry, my uncle came and told my parents about it. Then my father said, “This itself is her work now. Presence of no other girl in the field of photography isn’t her fault.” So, you all can interpret how much support my parents had given me.
Tarangam: While being in the graduation days, were you associated with other work too apart from photography?
Monmoromi Mahanta: Yes, during that time, apart from photography I learnt mimesis. Later on I was even awarded gold medal in mimesis by Gauhati University. In degree 3rd year, I got associated with ‘Aajir Baatori’. Pronoy Baishya of ‘Aajir Baatori’ chose various topics for me to write on. He gave me a lot of encouragement to write. During absence from classes when other girls went out to chill, I used to go to the office of ‘Aajir Baatori’ located at Rehabari and write on various subjects.
Mridupawan : Would you like to say something about your professional life?
Monmoromi Mahanta: After passing B.A, I joined ‘Notun Dainik’ newspaper. I always had a small tape recorder with me. At that time, I met personalities like Mahendra Barthakur, poet Nabakanta Baruah, Bhabendra Nath Saikia. I captured black and white photos. Digital cameras were not available at that time, only manual reel camera was available, so to process the negative photos, I gave them for developing in a different studios as I did not have my own lab. Actually I did this in order to gain experience. I was not given any kind of incentive for those photos. After that, I joined a new paper named ‘Nilachal’ as assistent editor with a salary of Rs 500 per month in 1996. At that time I had already completed my diploma in communication and journalism . I did not pursue my masters any further. After Nilachal, I entered ‘Pubali’ magazine. During that time wherever and whoever I worked with, camera was my constant companion. After that in 1997, I joined as a photographer in ‘Asomiya Pratidin’ newspaper. Since then I got associated with professional photography. I was inspirited with my work then. There were several photo journalists in our group at that time. Among them was Utpal Da (Utpal Baruah). He is like my elder brother even today. During that time we all used to work together. Work was really enjoyable at that time. Work would go on until 9-9.30. In this way, amidst hardship and happiness I began my professional life.
Bhaba : Tell us about some of the memorable experiences of your professional life.
Monmoromi Mahanta: It was the time when I was working with Pubali. There were two photographers from North East Times. Once, both of them were absent. That day itself, the news of bombs being found at Guwahati Railway Station came in. So, a request came to me from North East Times for to capture photographs from that incident. Therefore, I reached the station at 8.30p.m. with my camera. Just then I saw, a sniffer dog was jumping to a drawer vigorously. May be he smelt something suspicious. A ticking sound was coming out from the drawer. I pictured it at once. I clicked pictures of the entire incident with the black and white camera. There was chaos, all the nearby people were driven out. I was also asked by the army to move out, but I didn’t back off. I got over fear at that moment. The C.R.P.F soldiers were surprised to see me. I heard them saying that they had witnessed such a happening in Assam for the very first time, it was unthinkable that a girl can take the photo coverage of a bomb from such close proximity and with such courage even in Assam. The next day, that photograph was on the first page of the paper. I was very happy. At that time a program named ‘Probhati Puwa’ was telecasted on the radio. In that program, the best photograph among all the photographs from all the newspapers was announced along with the name of the photographer. That day, the best photograph was the one that I took. I clicked many such pictures even for Pratidin newspaper. Once, two tax officers were arrested at night for the offense of taking bribes and then I had to go out at night for taking photographs. I had many such experiences later on too.
Hrishiraj: What did you do other than photo journalism?
Monmoromi Mahanta: We are originally people from the Satras, so I like Satriya Nritya very much. All the works of the dossier that was required to be prepared in order to proclaim Majuli as a world heritage site in 2001 was done by me. The lifestyle of all the people of Majuli, the Satras of Majuli, its wildlife, Raas Mahotsav, I took photographs of all those things. After that I became associated with the works of Sangeet Natak Academy and worked for the promotion of the Satriya Kendra. I am working for a book of Wasbir Hussain these days. At present times, the main theme of my photography is Satriya Nritya. Presently I have set up a small studio at my own house. Photo sessions mainly based on Indian classical dances are done in this studio. The photography of most of the programs of classical dance which are being held at present are done by me. These are the kinds of works which I have done apart from photography.
Mridupawan: In newspapers, the name of the photographer is not published even if the photograph is printed, what are your views on this matter?
Monmoromi Mahanta: I feel sad. It is an injustice towards the photographer. A photographer does not give any less effort for taking a good photo in any way than the effort made by a writer to write a good article. He has to use his creative mind to a large extent to capture a good photo. That is why it feels bad when the name is not printed. It is an obtainable of the photographer. Nowadays, it is published sometimes, earlier the photographer’s name was not revealed at all.
to be continued…
