Showcasing the finest of wildlife photography in India and Africa, Babi Nobis’ On Safari: the Tiger and the Baobab Tree was launched by Om Books International in association with Taj Safaris, Taj Palace New Delhi and Nat Geo Wild at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, followed by a panel discussion.
The panel was comprised of well-known wildlife photographer and conservationist Belinda Wright, Indian natural historian & Tiger conservationist Valmik Thapar and conservation biologist Dr Raghu Chundawat. The event also included an exhibition of selected photographs from the book at the Shah Jahan Ballroom. The exhibition will continue for 15 days of selected photographs compiled from the book that will be curated by Tina Nobis.
The coffee-table book provides a rich visual and textual account of two continents and the majesty of those who prowl and rule its jungle and forests. It is a brilliant illustration of some of the finest of wildlife photography in India and Africa. With a foreword by Belinda Wright, the book speaks of Babi’s passion for the tiger which was instilled in him as a 11 year old when he had his first chance encounter with a tiger in the jungles of Hazaribagh. Though he has been photographing the wildlife in India and Africa for over two decades, this is the first time he his work behind the lens beyond his family and friends. The highlight of the exhibition was his picture captioned ‘Leopard with Kill’ which won him the overall silver medal at the 15th FIAP Nature Biennial World Cup in Paris in 2010.
The exhibits have also been put on a silent auction, the final results which would be declared on the final day of the exhibition. The ‘Leopard with Kill’ has been put at a reserve price of Rs 1,50,000 while the other photographs have been put on reserve prices ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 95,000. Babi had promised earlier in the evening that the proceeds from the evening’s auction would be donated to the Wildlife Protection Society of India of which Babi is a board member.
Be it the majesty of the Tiger, the amusement of the cubs, the crocodiles grappling the wildebeests, the stalking of its prey, the spit-bubble, the pride of hungry lion cubs feasting on a dead elephant, a cub looking for reassurance from its mother, the leopard coming down from a tree with its kill, the tree hugging tiger, the cheetahs stalking the wildebeest, an African sunset, the art of camouflage, the hippos fighting for dominance or the grandiose baobab tree which has seen the co-existence between man and beat over the millennia, Babi has successfully captured the surpassing beauty of the wild, bringing together the uniqueness of the two continents.
Also on auction was four Taj Safari holidays, the proceeds of which would go o their Nutrition program for some of the Anganwadi kids around the National Parks. “Taj Safaris have been working towards creating and sustaining awareness towards wildlife conservation”, says Ms Mridula Tangirala, Director, Operations Taj Safaris. The event was attended by people from all walks of life and also had a surprise for Babi from his better half Tina Nobis, who had compiled a video dedicated to Babi.
Golden Chronicles 