He is famous for his aggressive politics and curt actions. But did anyone know that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has a penchant for photography?
Uddhav’s interest in photography can be seen in his various shots, which range from wildlife, landscapes, and portraits to infra-red photography, which requires a special understanding of the subject since it is a mix of art and technology.
The Sena chief, who takes time from his hectic political schedule to engage in photography, has decided to ‘sell’ some of his best work, to raise funds for the massive drought, engulfing major parts of Maharashtra.
Expressing concern for the plight of the state’s farmers, many of who are committing suicide after their crops were destroyed in hailstorms and unseasonal rainfall, the Sena chief said: “It will give me utmost satisfaction, if I am able to save lives of at least 2-3 farmers from the fund collected from selling these photographs.”
It is the first time in the last 11 years that the Sena chief has addressed the media over a non-political issue.
“Even the government is falling short in mitigating drought. I know I cannot bring happiness on the faces of the farmers, but at least I can provide some kind of relief,” he said.
He added that he would put up the photographs, shot by him, at a exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery located in south Mumbai. The exhibition will include wildlife photographs and pictures of Maharashtra, captured by the politician.
“As many as 70 photographs will be kept in the exhibition for sale. Wildlife photography, a collection of photographs featuring the various forts in the state, photographs shot at the pilgrimage town of Pandharpur, which is in the form of aerial photography, of ancient temples and also of the polar bears in the arctic,” he said.
The exhibition will begin from January 7 and it will be on till January 12. It may be recalled that Uddhav’s father Bal Thackeray, who set up the Shiv Sena in the 1960s, was a cartoonist before taking to full-time politics.
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