Bhubaneswar hosts its fifth state-level photography exhibition at Jayadev Bhawan, celebrating World Photography Day with over 200 diverse frames
Lipsa Sahoo
On the occasion of World Photography Day, the fifth state-level photography exhibition was held at the Jayadev Bhawan premises on August 19. Organised by Nutan Bhabisyat Nirman (NBN) Sutradhar Trust, the exhibition aimed to promote and expand the culture of photography in Odisha.
The event was inaugurated by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, senior BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, historian Anil Dhir, social worker Sruti Mohapatra, and film critic Surya Deo.
“Usually, people don’t have enough time to listen or read, but a photograph speaks a lot, speaks at length, and speaks of wonder,” said Minister Suresh Pujari. A single frame can preserve a fleeting moment and offer viewers a perspective that they may otherwise overlook. Beyond merely recording what is visible, photography can become a way of interpreting the changing world around us.
The exhibition featured over 200 photographs by 72 participating photographers from across the state. The photographs explored a diverse range of subjects, including Odisha’s lesser-known heritage, disability and inclusion, the raw realities of street life, and the impact of climate change. Together, they demonstrated how photography can move beyond simply capturing beautiful images to documenting realities and encouraging reflection.
“A photograph becomes powerful not by itself but by the way it gets perceived by the viewers,” said Nabin Laxmikant Das, organiser of the event. Emphasising the role of perception in photography, he noted that a photograph can influence how people understand an issue and, consequently, contribute to social change. “A photograph is a medium for positive change; it should never result in anything negative,” he added.
The exhibition also sought to make photography more accessible to aspiring practitioners. A photography masterclass was organised on August 20 for interested individuals and was offered free of charge to encourage wider participation and learning. The initiative reflects an effort not only to showcase photography but also to nurture interest in the medium among emerging enthusiasts.
The closing ceremony is scheduled to be held on August 21 at 10 a.m., when selected photographers will be felicitated for their contributions. Budding photographers will also be recognised as part of the organisers’ efforts to encourage young talent and support their growth in the field.
Although the exhibition will formally conclude with the ceremony on August 21, it will remain open to visitors until August 22. Through its diverse collection, the exhibition offers viewers more than a series of photographs—it invites them to pause, look closely, and see the world through a different lens.
(The writer is currently pursuing a Master’s in English Literature at Ramadevi University. Views expressed are personal.)
A very keen report made by the writer. The details are mentioned with precise observation. The event is described artistically which captures the essence of the exhibition.
Nice article