Shantanu Das Captures Multiple Moods of Japan Exhibition at TAO Art Gallery

A photo exhibition by Shantanu Das on Japan- the land of the rising sun is being held at Tao Art Gallery in Mumbai upto March 12, 2009.

Mumbai-based Shantanu Das, currently a media photographer professionally, unveils the multi-faceted images of Japan which he terms as “an intricate blend of East and West”.

Says Shantanu: Japan referred as the "Land of the Rising Sun" is the largest metropolitan area in the world where you can find beautiful, kind and disciplined people, clean and good roads, vibrant green environment, excellent railway systems and much much more.

Japan is a large group of islands located between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. The five main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Skikoku, and Okinawa. Honshu contains the capital, Tokyo, as well as many major industrial areas.

Shantanu’s pictorial journey captures the spirit of the country’s culture, lifestyle, religious festivals, cuisine, arts, travel and passion for gardening, heritage and beyond.

The exhibition is jointly organized by the Tao Art Gallery, Japan Foundation, La Ditta Limited, maidoindia – bringing Japan closer & Bascos Japan – Marketing to Design.

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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER:

As a child, Shantanu was fascinated by a prehistoric 120-format Agfa click 3 camera owned by his uncle, which was nothing short of a magic lantern for him.

“As a little boy, I was never allowed to touch the camera and that only instigated my curiosity about the machine. God knows from where I got the idea that there is someone who lives inside a camera and creates the plants, hills, sunsets and human beings who always smile”, remarks Shantanu.

Currently, he is working with Times of India Group in Mumbai and regularly participates in all major national and international photographic exhibitions and competitions. He has been awarded by different countries in photography exhibitions/contests.

ABOUT EXHIBITION THEME: AS PERCEIVED AND LENSED BY SHANTANU DAS

People are much disciplined here for an example I can say "No car on the road but people wait on the footpath for green signal to cross". They identify themselves in terms of biological heritage, birth in Japan, a shared culture, and a common language (Japanese). One group, the burakunin, speaks a unique Japanese dialect. Society considers them undesirable outcasts-"untouchables."

Many men, women, and children enjoy wearing Western clothing for their daily activities; however, traditional costumes are worn during special religious ceremonies or festivals. Japanese women are also often seen wearing their traditional silk Kimonos. Gardening is the most popular hobby of both men and women. Pollution is very less and more people like to ride bicycle.

City police patrol on bicycles; garbage collectors attack their job with the vigor of a well-trained army and white-gloved elevator operators, working in some of the world's swankiest department stores, bow and thank you as you exit.

People always think about quality. For example, you don’t feel the jerk while driving across a manhole cover because road level matches the cover.

Here you can find many traditional festivals. One of the most beautiful festivals is Hyakumono-Zoroe Sennin Gyoretsu of some 1,000 men dressed as samurai warriors on the 18th. Nikko Toshogu, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo (Tokyo). This procession reproduces the scene of his grave being transferred from distant Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko in accordance with Ieyasu's will.

The Japanese garden is designed to be a faithful representation of nature and to impart a sense of simple, unspoiled beauty. Its style therefore contrasts with that of a Western garden, which relies on shaping nature into a kind of geometrical beauty. Japan's colors and shapes are messages that convey spirit and culture.

Tasting the local cuisine is one of the joys of traveling. From sushi and tempura to traditional fare, including fruits, all divided by region. Amid such environmental conditions, numerous delicacies have developed in each locality and these local cuisines together with traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura produce a dietary culture unique to Japan.

Hardly a day goes by that you don't hear something about Japan, whether the subject is trade, travel, cuisine, the arts, or Japanese imports ranging from Sony and Toyota to karaoke and anime. Yet Japan remains something of an enigma to people in the Western world. What best describes this Asian nation? Is it the giant producer of cars, computers, and a whole array of sleek electronic goods that compete favorably with the best in the West? Or is it still the land of the geisha and bonsai, the punctilious tea ceremony, and the delicate art of flower arrangement? Has it become, in its outlook and popular culture, a country more Western than Asian? Or has it retained its unique ancient traditions while forging a central place in the modern industrialized world?

In fact, Japan is an intricate blend of East and West. Its cities may look Westernized -- often disappointingly so -- but beyond first impressions there's very little about this Asian nation that could lull you into thinking you're in the West.

Because of this unique synthesis of East and West into a culture that is distinctly Japanese, Japan is not easy for Westerners to comprehend. Discovering it is like peeling an onion -- you uncover one layer only to discover more layers underneath. Thus, no matter how long you stay in Japan, you never stop learning something new about it -- and to me that constant discovery is one of the most fascinating aspects of being here.