Dr Meripeni Ngully explaining the photographs during the Naga Photo Archive exhibition, ‘Of Another Time: Naga Family Photos 1950s–1990s,’ at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Chümoukedima on June 5.
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | June 5
Family photographs became a window into Naga history and identity as the Naga Photo Archive opened the exhibition, “Of Another Time: Naga Family Photos 1950s–1990s,” at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Chümoukedima, on Friday.
The exhibition opened with a walkthrough led by Dr Meripeni Ngully of the Department of History, Dimapur Government College, followed by a panel discussion on memory, representation and the role of photography in preserving cultural histories.
Introducing the project, photographer and visual artist Zubeni Lotha, co-founder of the Naga Photo Archive, said the initiative emerged from a desire to understand Naga history through family albums and personal photographs. She noted that while written histories often focus on major events, photographs offer valuable insights into everyday lives, relationships and experiences.
Lotha said the archive works closely with contributors and places importance on obtaining consent before preserving and sharing them. Encouraging families to contribute their photographs and stories, she informed that more than 500 photographs have been collected so far.
This Foundation Project is implemented by India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) under the Arts Practice programme (Productions) supported by Tata Trusts.
Artists, scholars explore power of family photographs
Reflecting on her creative journey during the discussion, Menaka Rodriguez, Executive Director of the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), Bangalore, said many personal and community histories are often lost over time. She noted that initiatives such as the Naga Photo Archive help preserve stories and memories that might otherwise disappear.
Artist Throngkiuba Yimchungru, recipient of the Governor’s Award in the field of Visual Arts, spoke on the enduring value of photographs, observing that images acquire new meanings with time and become important records for future generations.
Amit Mahanti, documentary filmmaker, visual artist and co-founder of the Naga Photo Archive, highlighted the storytelling power of photographs, stating that every image carries a purpose and narrative. He said one of the most compelling aspects of the archive was its ability to unlock memories and reconnect people with their past.
Sharing his perspective, Lanu, Principal of Wandering Minds College of Fine Arts, said photographs often reveal much more than their immediate subjects. Details in the background, objects and settings can provide important clues about a particular period and society, he said. Lanu also stressed the need to tell stories from a distinctly Naga perspective and to develop visual references rooted in local experiences.
Pioneering Naga filmmaker Kivini Shohe also reflected on themes of memory, nostalgia and representation, discussing how family photographs challenge conventional narratives and offer intimate perspectives on Naga life and identity.
The discussion further explored the role of archives in preserving cultural heritage and making historical materials accessible to future generations. The event drew artists, students, researchers, filmmakers and cultural enthusiasts.
The travelling exhibition will next be displayed in Kohima from June 9–10 at the Art Branch Hall, Museum Annexe, Directorate of Art & Culture; in Wokha from June 12–13 at the Village Development Board Community Hall, followed by a discussion on June 13, and in Dimapur from June 15–17 at the Heirloom Naga Centre, Sovima.
