Ahead of Indira Gandhi's 33rd death anniversary, veteran photojournalist Mukesh Parpiani, who captured her on every Mumbai trip, recalls tailing one of India's most controversial leaders
Between the year 1981 and 1984, not one visit that then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made to the city escaped Mukesh Parpiani's lens. The 67-year-old, who is currently head of Piramal Gallery at NCPA, was in his early 30s at the time, fresh into his first job at the Daily, as a news photographer. This year marks the 33rd death anniversary of Gandhi, who was assassinated in Delhi on October 31, 1984. "The early 80s were good times for photo journalists. Back then, it was easy to follow even the Prime Minister.
Mukesh Parpiani. Pic/Rane Ashish
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Right from the time she would land at the airport in the morning, till evening when she left, or even on occasions when she stayed back, I would follow her with my camera. It was not hard to convince an MP or politician to allow a ride in the convoy, so I could get closer access. Most of the photos I shot were taken from a distance of less than five feet," recalls Parpiani, who would exhaust three roles a day on Gandhi. Most times, there were no more than six photographers around, he tells us. "And nobody was keen on following her through the day. They would take one or two news photos and leave. So, that made things easier for me."
The security personnel around the head of the country was basic, Parpiani recalls. "There would be plain-clothed officials from the Mumbai or Delhi Police. There were no Black Cat commandos that you see now." The lady herself seemed to have no objection either to being snapped. "Although sometimes, she would say, 'bahut ho gaya', and signal us to stop." There was just one time when Parpiani along with his peers ran into trouble with the security. "It was a Bombay Natural History Society event, where one officer had told us off. We stood outside and protested with our cameras down. After the event, when the PM was on her way out, she looked in our direction and said, 'sorry, friends'. One photographer got that shot, unfortunately, I don't have that picture. But it was a moment to remember," says Parpiani, whose last photograph of Gandhi was two days before she was assassinated.
With Naval officers
Two days before she was assassinated, she visited the city to attend a naval function in Navy Nagar, Colaba. After the event, she stayed on to have breakfast with them and mingled with the officers around. The officers posed for pictures with the PM; this was taken between one of those shots. This is my last picture of her.
Bhiwandi relief camp
In 1982, there was a Hindu-Muslim riot in Bhiwandi and Ms Gandhi had paid a visit to the relief camp, where both Hindus and Muslims were stationed. She was not exactly known for her compassion, and this photo captures the cold stare she darted towards a child. These were a bunch of Muslim women, and one of them pinched this child's cheek hard to make him cry, in order to evoke the PM's sympathy. Indira, of course, saw through the ploy, which perhaps explains her cold, unfeeling stare.
In a raincoat
It's not too often that you get to spot politicians out of their regular attire. This shot
of her in a raincoat, was therefore, interesting. She had just landed in Bombay one morning. There was a light drizzle, and her security provided her with a raincoat. Umbrellas were there of course, but it made for an unusual picture. That was a time when photographers could go right up to the tarmac and wait for the VIP to step out of the aircraft. This was taken while she was walking to her car.
With Sonia Gandhi
Mrs Gandhi was a close friend of Teji Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan's mother. When he met with a near fatal accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982, he was admitted in Breach Candy hospital. Ms Gandhi flew in with with Sonia to see him.
Indira with Rajeev Gandhi
This was taken outside Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, which was the venue for the annual Congress convention. Ms Gandhi left the convention early, and Rajeev came out to see her off. I shot this picture just before she got into her car. He appeared to be obedient, soft-spoken and a thorough gentleman.
With Congress (I) president Kamalapati Tripathi
He was a heavyset fellow, and not well at that time. This was at a function where the National Anthem was playing, and he had trouble standing up. Ms Gandhi noticed, and lent a helping hand. Several leaders were around, but, nobody came forward. This was a front page photo.
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