India’s Architectural Heritage: Hyderabad photographer’s book to be released

Hyderabad: Most people tend to forget their country when they land in greener pastures. For many the single point programme is to make money and fast.

But this Hyderabad-based NRI begs to differ. He neither forgot his country nor gave up his passion for photography. In fact he used his photographic skills to promote the architectural heritage of India.

For both K.N. Wasif and Hyderabadis it is a proud moment as his coffee table book, India’s Architectural Heritage, is scheduled to be released. Home Minister, Mohammed Mahmood Ali, will release the book at a programme being organised by Bazme Urdu Toast Masters Club at the Media Plus auditorium here on Friday evening.

The 140-page book is Wasif’s labour of love spanning four decades of hard work. Designed by Ayaz Siddique, it has attention grabbing pictures of over 150 monuments, forts and palaces in all their beauty and splendour. The book also has stunning images of Charminar, the iconic monument of Hyderabad, the birth place of Wasif. A collector’s copy no doubt.

“This book is the essence of my life, my love and my passion for photography”, says Mr. Wasif who has been a photo-journalist for last four decades.

He worked with various newspapers like Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express, Siasat before he left to Saudi Arabia. Here he joined Albenaa, a Riyadh-based architectural magazine. And this led to his documentation of medieval Indian architecture known for its exquisite beauty and workmanship. Wasif made use of his annual trips to India to capture the broad spectrum of architecture of yesteryears.

Earlier, this book was released at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh as part of the year long Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The occasion also marked the diamond jubilee of India’s diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who released the book, said it would be of great help in promoting Indian tourism abroad, especially in the Gulf countries.

Mr. Wasif has been sort of a brand ambassador for Indian tourism in Saudi Arabia. Over the years he organised many photo exhibitions in different cities of the kingdom showcasing the architectural legacy of India. An important feature of Wasif’s photographs is that they are deeply emotive and seem to communicate with the viewer.