The Quest for Truth

By Mukesh Parpiani

In an odd sort of way, the sum of a photographer’s life can be measured in just a few minutes. That is for how long the shutter has released, collectively, with each fraction of a second adding up, with those few minutes capturing fleeting moments for posterity. Sometimes, it all amounts to a singular instant, or just a few frames, or just that one frame, that defines a photographer’s entire life. Yet, to make these transient, impermanent moments visible to all, for all time, what often goes invisible is the eye behind the camera, and the years and decades of dedication.

The chapters in this book will also show an unusual commitment to his job, for doing his own reading and research, for framing his subjects meaningfully, with equal respect for every individual and without a moralistic gaze. From his early days and later as the National Photo Editor, with three leading newspapers, The Daily, The Indian Express and Mid-Day, Mukesh Parpiani has had affinity for discovering moving stories that usually otherwise fall through the cracks, often in frames that talk of a bigger picture, often acting as a mirror that encourage viewers to question themselves.

This book is also a volume of history in images, of some of the most iconic people and moments of ‘Bombay’ from those times. The stories, in his own words, will resonate with you, just as much as it also shows his dedication to the craft of photography, to photojournalism, and to his quest for truth.

Click here to view some pages from the book “The Quest for Truth”