The Beauty and the Ferocity of “Brahmaputra”

Brahmaputra is intrinsically woven in the fabric of Assam and touches its every aspect, be it life, culture, language or folklore. “In fact, Brahmaputra is the focus of many of Bhupen Hazarika’s melodious songs. The river is a celebration of life and zest and everything that revolves around it,” says Sanjib who was born in Dibrugarh, a town on the banks of the river. “I have lived my childhood, youth and now I am living my retired life on the banks of the river. I get up every morning and go for a morning walk with my camera on the banks of the river. I spent hours alone, in solitude with two of my passions – my camera and the Brahmaputra on my side.”

Brahmaputra being a male river is ferocious; and is also the reason it is hated for causing devastation affecting flora and fauna alike. The flooding of Kaziranga National Park leaves hundreds of animals dead. But before receding to its usual course, it leaves behind an unusual gift for the national park in the form of manure to Elephant grass on which rhino thrives and survives. “The river supports both men and animals in its own unique gesture,” says Sanjib.

Among the dozens of photographs on display, a larger space is occupied by the Brahmaputra and its life-sustaining gifts, be it fishing, vegetation, tourism or other gifts. The cultural aspects have not been left out as it celebrates life in the forms of  rituals and ceremonies during the festive seasons.

Sanjib has earlier displayed his photographs in various group exhibition in the state and also held three solo exhibition titled “Frames: Myriad Images”, “Life” and “As I see…through my Lens’ in Guwahati and other parts of the state.

Sanjib was fascinated with wildlife from his early life and during his posting as Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat district, where the world-famous Kaziranga National Park is located; he clicked wildlife in various frames and during various seasons. Now, with the advancing age and un-affordability of high-definition cameras and lenses and long arduous hours of work, he has moved back to his pristine passion, the Brahmaputra, as a tribute to the mighty river.

“I have tried to keep my photographs simple, what captivates them is the beauty of simplicity and the angles from which you see them. You will discover a beauty, which has always been there but you had no time to see it before,” says Sanjib, summing up the message of his solo exhibition as well as the Brahmaputra.

(Brahmaputra…and Other Stories by Sanjib Gohain Boruah in on display at the Lalit Kala Akademi from January 23 to January 30, 2025)