A bridge means so much more than a simple passage - it has memories and histories that connect people across cultures and time. They kindle the imagination of a poet and dreams of a lover. This image of the Mattancherry Bridge was shot by photographer Abul Kalam Azad in 2001. Constructed in 1940, this was the first bridge to connect mainland Cochin to Willingdon Island. Even after the construction of the new bridge in 2001, a few light vehicles are still allowed to pass through this elegant oldie. More than that, this stands as the icon of the Kochi Islands.
Mattancherry Bridge, 2001
Artist Info
Artwork Info
Abul Kalam Azad is a visual artist based in India. Abul’s photographic works are predominantly autobiographical, and they explore the areas of politics, culture, micro-history, gender, and eroticism.
His works attempt a re-reading of contemporary Indian history – the history in which ordinary people are absent and are mainly represented through beautiful images and icons.
During the early 90s, for a brief period, he worked as a photojournalist with leading National/International agencies including the Press Trust of India. Mid-90s, he renounced his journalism career to become an independent artist.
Besides, Azad’s maverick and pioneer experimental hybrid art that blends different styles and techniques pushes the boundaries of contemporary Indian photographic art practice.
His current projects focus on a search inside South Indian maritime history and connected cultures, inspired by ancient literature, folklore, and rituals. His works have been exhibited in prestigious museums/galleries in India and abroad since the mid-90s. He is the recipient of various awards that includes Charles Wallace Award, French Government Scholarship award, Govt. of India’s Senior Art Fellowship, and India Foundation for the Arts Grant.
Abul Kalam Azad is the founder of Ekalokam Trust for Photography, a non-profit foundation committed to creating, protecting and sharing contemporary photography and other allied art forms. He also extends his services as Editor-in-Chief of Photo Mail, an online photo-art magazine.