Time with the Tribes

An exhibition in Gurugram by photographers Aditya Arya and Pablo Bartholomew is a striking reminder of the rich traditions of the Nagas

- Geetika Sachdev

When I travelled to Nagaland in the 1980s, it was a critical time in its history. Much has changed today," says photographer Aditya Arya, whose exhibition The Nagas with fellow lensman Pablo Bartholomew documents the lost traditions and lifestyle of the tribes there.

The 132 images shown at Museo Camera Centre for the Photographic Arts in Gurugram attempt to present a distinction between the old and new lifestyles, reinforcing the significance of visual anthropology for future generations. The grey walls of the gallery have evocative black-and-white shots taken by Arya, the most striking of which are the headhunters Nagaland was once known for. There are several other stories, capturing the dying traditions of the state's dominant communities - from how they dressed to what they feasted on, and more.