Foreword in the catalogue of the exhibition

English version of the document in French

It is in Chandigarh that we met Diwan Manna for the first time.

We are very happy to welcome him here, in bateau Lavoir, Paris, a place filled with history and art. 

This photographer, young, keen on European culture, (he cites us Camus, Sartre, Brecht, Godard…) who has received in his country all the awards that a photographer can obtain, shows us many aspects, in three successive phases, of his work.

Phases linked between themselves by the same love that he has the way he looks at men and women of his country. Look that he transcends into reflection on human destiny, far removed from any kind of folklore as if to give in a better way a universal meaning to his work. 

The black and white of his first work, and then the fiery contrast of colours in his more recent work are only metaphors of e ternal combat that men engage in to reach that light. And in the shadows of the rear of shops where the solitude of the humble is hidden, Diwan Manna reveals both his real compassion for his contemporaries as well as his admiration in front of the beauty and dignity of beings, for he knows how to affirm in his colour compositions his conviction of seeing in woman the future of the world and all its magic. This is how he displays her in transparent veils forming around her many coco ons, former shrouds perhaps, waiting that the burn marks of the world appease themselves to take birth again. The birds wait for its first signs.

This is how Diwan Manna speaks to us and passes from social violence, precariousness of life of men and women living in the shadows like the forgotten, to the solitude of beings and their anguish. Two series of black and white photographs of technical mastery and perfect classical beauty precede here the big photographs, entitled “Shores of the unknown”, in intense colours, with carefully thought out portrayals that are like inner and symbolic dreams. 

Death, Life, Woman, Hope.

Marc Giai-Miniet

Paris

Jan 2001

Diwan Manna, film maker and author Vijay Singh, artist Sakti Burman at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Artist Michel Potier, Daljit Bais, artist Velu Viswanathan, Dr. Pammi Bais and Diwan at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Artist Bhawani Katoch among viewers at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Artists Abraham Hadad and Michel Potier among viewers at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Viewers at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Film maker Vijay Singh and artist Velu Viswanathan among viewers at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Viewers at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001

Viewers at the opening of Diwan Manna's exhibition at Gallery Bateau Lavoir, Paris 2001