On First Picture of Sri. Vishwanath Josier
This picture of my father was taken by me in 1961, latter half. He stood at the entrance to Josier House, where we had a large granite slab covering the drain, and it was in the morning at around 10 A.M. just before his lunch time.
In May-June, I had been on a round-the world-tour for eight weeks, sponsored by my then employer L&T, and in appreciation of the good work I had done in the previous year. This was my first overseas jaunt, and I was very excited. Shopped for every conceivable thing, since India had nothing to offer to its people, not even safety pins and lead pencils, which were imported from Germany and England. And, I did shop wild and for everyone. My father had asked for two jumbo packages of Cuticura ointment and Gold! I bought for myself a Minolta Camera, with a 2.8 lens, automatic focussing, flash light and tripod from Japan - latest technology, those days. Mohan, Usha and Vasu might remember seeing this, and our regular visits to Ensign and Krishnan Nair Studio near St. Teresa for developing and printing. My father was amazed at the idea of photography itself, and it appeared to be his first encounter. When I showed the print, he had his copyrighted beautiful smile. I remember him telling me that, whenever he used to visit aristocratic clients - bureaucrats, Zemindars etc. he would wish and pray that one of his many sons should make it in life, and that I had fulfilled his wish!
He was no ordinary father; upright to the core, with a great sense of justice and tough on he exterior, He was "cruelly kind". as Swami Vivekananda would say. I recall his memory on this Vishu Day, with immense gratitude and admiration.
K.V.Narayanmurti
14th April 2012