Hyderabad – Photography Academy of India (PAI) organized an impressive event with the photo exhibition in Vijayawada to release the coffee table book of renowned journalist and architectural photographer KN Wasif. Coffee table book “India’s Architectural Heritage” is a collection of Wasif’s photographs depicting the medieval architectural heritage of India. Principal Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Minority Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, A Muhammad Imtiaz IAS released the book.After the opening remarks, B Samba Siva Rao invited G Narayan Rao President, A Muhammad Imtiaz Chief Guest, Principal Nagarjuna College of Architecture E Srinivas Reddy and Author KN Wasif on the stage.
After releasing the book, Muhammad Imtiaz said that publication of this book on the occasion of a major national celebration like “Azadi Ka Amrit Maha Utsav” is a great gift to the country. He added that such a beautiful book based on photos of medieval historical heritage was seen for the first time by him. He congratulated KN Wasif for this beautiful book. “This book is a manifestation of N Wasif’s excellent vision of art and photography” he added.
In his address, guest of honor E. Srinivas Reddy said the author’s life is spent in bringing the good work to the public. Good writing always keeps the writer alive. Srinivas Reddy finally said that this book can also be called the Bhagavata Gita of Architecture.
While introducing the book Chairman Photography Academy of India, Vijayawada said that KN Wasif has been out of the country for more than three decades. But by publishing this book, he proved his commitment and love for the country. He said that Wasif had started working on this project on the initiative of the then Ambassador Muhammad Hamid Ansari (former Vice President of the Republic of India). Srinivas Reddy added that he would forward the book to the libraries of architecture colleges and universities on behalf of the academy.
Author KN Wasif praised the activities of Photography Academy of India. Disagreeing with the opinion of some speakers, he said that this book is not a manifestation of Islamic or Muslim architecture, but it is a reflection of medieval Indian architecture. Indians were the ones who built these buildings, and they were buried in the same soil.
President G Narayan Rao shed light on author’s photography activities. He commented on the speeches of other speakers and gave the author some valuable suggestions for the second edition of the book.
Finally, KN Wasif was felicitated with a traditional shawl and commemorative plaque of appreciation by the Academy. The event, held at the Bal Utsav Bhavan, Vijayawada concluded with vote of thanks by T Srinivas Reddy.