Q. How did the Mumbai Metro emerge as your theme? A. I was commuting by the Metro from my home to my office (Ghatkopar to Chakala) and everyday, I would take photographs on my mobile phone and upload it on Instagram or Facebook.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-Metro-1.jpg" alt="" /> As opposed to the free-for-all that marks other modes of mass transport, this one witnesses some discipline. A shifting of gears, perhaps? And why not, when shopping is now done at the touch of a button! Pic courtesy/ Ira gosalia
Sebastian Zachariah (with whom I work) told me to take the same photo on a DSLR or else it wouldn&rsquo;t count as a photographer&rsquo;s work. I decided to take it up. When I discussed with Sebastian the possible themes and angles from which I could look at the story, we realised that there are many layers and sub-layers that happen within the subject. We sought the necessary permissions with Reliance Metro and I decided to have a go at it. It involved an entire month of shooting and I am still sorting!
<img title="A woman" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-Metro-2.jpg" alt="A woman" />
Q. Is there a message that you wish to convey? A. Mumbai Metro can be a metaphor for how our city is progressing. Metro rail is an old concept worldwide but for us in Mumbai, it is the latest source of joy and a much-needed relief to the citizens.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/Metro2.jpg" alt="" /> Mumbai marches on&hellip; symbolised by the Metro&rsquo;s sinuous logo. In time, it may become the preferred way to travel for the next generation.
I started with the concept of looking at the architectural story &mdash; the infrastructure and the facilities. But then, the people using the Metro became the soul of the project. Everyday was a discovery, a new lesson and every picture said something different. I left the interpretation to the viewer. The basic idea was to capture the city in motion.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-reflaction.jpg" alt="" />
Q. Tell us about yourself. A. I am 24 years old and an architect as well as Associate Photographer with Photographix India. We do a lot of interior architecture projects across india and &ldquo;Metro&rdquo; was my first documentary project.
<img title="Mumbai Metro traverses a variety of landscapes: dense slums, posh commercial structures, serene religious edifices&hellip;" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/Metro3.jpg" alt="Mumbai Metro traverses a variety of landscapes: dense slums, posh commercial structures, serene religious edifices&hellip;" /> Mumbai Metro traverses a variety of landscapes: dense slums, posh commercial structures, serene religious edifices...
<img title="Metro" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-Metro.jpg" alt="Metro" />
Q. What challenges did you face? A. I believed myself to be an interior architecture photographer. I used to emphatically say that I could not shoot people. Sebastian kept nudging me to look at people as the main subject and halfway through the project, I realised that they actually were. I changed tracks quickly and enjoyed it. The initial fear of what will people say or what if they don&rsquo;t like it were fears that I had to overcome. This, being my first documentary project, was one of the biggest fears.
<img title="Traditionally attired women, their heads bowed, step into the city&rsquo;s most modern mode of travel" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/Metro4.jpg" alt="Traditionally attired women, their heads bowed, step into the city&rsquo;s most modern mode of travel" /> Traditionally attired women, their heads bowed, step into the city&rsquo;s most modern mode of travel
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-reflaction-1.jpg" alt="" />
Q. Could you share a few anecdotes on this project? A. As time went by, my camera and me became a familiar sight. The initial mumbling of the passengers, the knee-jerk reaction of the staff to stop me from taking pictures slowly turned into a nod of the head, a wave goodbye and advice as to where the sun rises or sets. Inside the train, I almost became non-existent to the fellow passengers who ignored me and let me do what I want to. The freedom still makes me yearn to go back.
<img title="A muted, industrial looking Metro station gets a generous dose of colour. Pics &amp; captions courtesy/ Ira Gosalia " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/Metro-station.jpg" alt="A muted, industrial looking Metro station gets a generous dose of colour. Pics &amp; captions courtesy/ Ira Gosalia " /> A muted, industrial looking Metro station gets a generous dose of colour. Pics &amp; captions courtesy/ Ira Gosalia
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-Metro-station.jpg" alt="" />
Q. What&rsquo;s next on your itinerary? A. I am searching for something to catch my fancy. Meanwhile, coming from an architecture background, I try to perceive lines, forms, surfaces, volumes, textures and patterns across sections of Mumbai.
<img title="Love in the time of&hellip; A public place offers a chance to steal tender moments for a couple" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/Love-Metro.jpg" alt="Love in the time of&hellip; A public place offers a chance to steal tender moments for a couple" /> Love in the time of&hellip; A public place offers a chance to steal tender moments for a couple
<img title="Kids" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/17-kids.jpg" alt="Kids" />
I seek such details trying to focus on what&rsquo;s not obvious amidst the obvious. It is an ongoing and lifelong project, called Citygraphix.
<img title="Ira Gosalia" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/mar/Ira-Gosalia.jpg" alt="Ira Gosalia" /> Ira Gosalia
Email: ira@phxindia.in Log on to: www.facebook.com/pages/Ira-Gosalia-Photographix/ 714988381900285

The Mumbai Metro, a transportation boon for the city's commuters, was inspiration for Ira Gosalia, a young architect and photographer, who captured moments and frames from both sides of the track

Many moods of the Mumbai Metro

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Many moods of the Mumbai Metro

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