A Potpourri of Vestiges Feature
(L to R) Parmanand Dalwadi with Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens, Counsellor for Education, Science and Culture at Embassy of France and Stephane Amalir, Director, AF Delhi at A Trip to France exhibition at The Taj Palace
Two
very interesting exhibitions focusing on the Indo-French ties over the decades
are currently on display in the Capital as part of Bonjour India 2022. The exhibition
titled ‘Science Beyond Borders,’ which showcases the shared scientific history
of Indo-French scientific collaboration, is on display at the Visual Art
Gallery and Open Palm Court at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi till 22nd
April. “The exhibition celebrates the shared scientific history between France
and India. It’s an invitation to discover how cooperation and exchange between
the best minds of our two countries have paved the way for scientific success
in our societies. This exhibition will certainly pique the interest of more
professionals and students to aspire for such successes,” explains Speaking
Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India.
Some of the key attractions
of the exhibition include rare snippets of the prized Tata Central Archives, a
peek into Airbus’ geospatial digital platform, some illustrious records from
the Institut Français de Pondichéry, a repository of international research in
cultures, environments and societies in South Asia, and some insights into the
experiences, memories, testimonies of many distinguished personalities from
India and France. For the French teachers visiting the exhibition with their
students, an education kit specifically designed for French language classes
has been created. Students will have the opportunity to practice their French
through playful activities and they will discover eminent Indian and French
scientific figures, learn about Indo-French scientific cooperation, and also
enrich their French vocabulary.
A Trip To France - The Parisian fashion and twin hairstyles
The exhibition aims to allow
visitors to hear stories about the interactions of the people behind scientific
discoveries, learn the historical significance of such collaboration
and see how these partnerships continue to shape our world today. The
exhibition sheds light on lesser-known stories such as the electrification of
the Indian Railways, the first Indian to take to the skies, and the Indian
space programme which kicked off in the 1960s as well as bring to the audience
satellite images of Indian cities from space. It also explores the history of
the Jantar Mantar, commissioned by Jai Singh, which later proved handy to
overseas scholars, including the French Jesuits, in studying astronomy.
Another exhibition titled ‘A
Trip to France’ will remain on view till 20th April at Taj Palace and from 21st
to 30th April at Art Konsult, 1 Basement, Hauz Khas Village. After Pune,
Ahmedabad and Mumbai, ‘A Trip To France’ has reached Delhi. Parmanand Dalwadi
accompanied Henri Cartier Bresson on his journey to India in 1965. In return,
Cartier Bresson invited him to Paris. This exhibition focuses on his journey to
France in the 1970s. The exhibition offers an opportunity to experience
Dalwadi’s journey to France in the 70’s that’s beautifully traced through 50
photographs, captured with his Nikon F. He captured incongruous and unusual
situations combining humour, tenderness and observations of French society
which also showcase the influence of Cartier-Bresson on his art. It was in
France that he met his wife Radium who can be seen in a few of his captured
stills. Dalwadi also served as the President of Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad
for a period of 6 years.
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