Kamal Morarka is a photo artist. The pictures he takes are so many creations with lion, tiger or a bird as an art form. If a sculptor or painter selects his photos, he can produce a piece of high-calibre art. There is more to Morarka's photos than meets the eye. In each of the photos showing wild animals or birds, there is a background of forest, river or lake. For instance against a muted yellow setting of grass, a black bird is seen.
It would be perhaps correct to describe photos as complete, fascinating pictures.
The auditorium of the Jehangir Art Gallery looked bright and beautiful with Morarka's lions, tigers and birds.
Every photograph of the tiger is an event, Morarka says. That's it: That's what I want to say about the exhibition of photographs of wild animals and birds at the Jehangir.
Morarka: “Every encounter with the tiger is impressed in my mind. The preparations before the trail, the stalking, the writing, the sense of anticipation. And the feeling of triumph when the tiger walks into the frame of your camera. Unannounced, but always a grand entry.
The bird pictures are just fantastic. The best picture is 'Large Cormorant' pictured on a branch with its widespread wings. When you see the black-necked stork, it is nothing but a wonder of nature. You see a bit of divine imagination there.
Once again, I point out that birds caught by the camera against appropriate and pleasant setting enhance the quality of the photo. The photos of wild animals and birds are the best ever displayed in Mumbai art galleries.
How it all happened — Morarka
“When you are in the midst of a jungle and all is silent around you and you look up from the camera straight into the blazing eyes of a tiger staring at you from 15 feet across a dirt track, you know what these words by Henri Cartier Bresson really mean: 'You do not take a picture, the picture takes you'.
“I have travelled the length and breadth of the country and there have been numerous occasions I have been taken by the magic of a moment. I often wondered how to preserve those moments and share them with others...
“Once on a visit to Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, I saw the unbelievable sight of Siberian cranes who had migrated all the way from Siberia to fulfil a ritual planned and perfected by nature. I saw those cranes and their nestlings and the effect was cathartic. My passion for photography was born.
“Bharatpur soon gave way to Nagarhole, Kabini, Rangathittu and tiger reserves like Sariska, Bandhargarh, Kanha and Pench. Then my camera travelled to ultimate sanctuary of a wildlife photographer, the Masai Mara region in Kenya and the great Kruger National Park in South Africa.