Young blood: Hyderabadis hold on to the original essence of their city

Twenty-year-old photographer, Vedya Rao has never had any formal training in photography, yet his works are presently on display at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. “My passion for photography comes from my mother, Avani Rao. She is an artiste, writer and art curator. So, while growing up, I developed a passion for photography,” says Vedya. Describing his foray into photography, Vedya says, “I learnt it on the go. I had attended a few classes about light room and how to use settings in the camera, but I learnt everything else on my own. I went to  the  KBR Park to shoot the animals and birds. I also pursued an internship with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) and got a chance to document all the museums in the city. It was then that I developed a liking towards architecture and started clicking photos of monuments.”

Speaking about what makes Hyderabad different from any other city in India, Vedya says, “Hyderabadis try to hold on to the original essence of their city. So, even as the city is growing, there are still areas which haven’t changed culturally over the period of time. That is what makes the city unique.” Ask if he has a favourite photographer and Vedya says, “I don’t have a favourite photo or photographer. I am still learning and want to develop my photographic skills. Probably, when I discover my own style and find someone I can relate to, I will have a favourite photographer. For now, I am trying to develop my own style.”

Vedya is studying BBA in Bangalore and tries to capture monuments whenever he is in Hyderabad. “For its sheer beauty, my favourite monument is the Paigah tombs. Most of it is still intact, the carvings on the walls are delicate and the architecture of the place is very beautiful,” he says. About the ongoing exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery, he says, “The experience was very nice. Many people saw my work. I learnt a lot.” As for his future plans, Vedya says, “I am studying business right now. So the idea is to have a career in this field, and once I am settled, I might take up photography as a full-time career.”