8 thoughts on “PUBLICATION”

1. A beautiful journey through life, memory, and the art of seeing…
   Reading Anutosh Deb’s Photography: An Obsession Personified, comprising Volume I – The Narratives in Monochrome and Volume II – The Narratives in Colours, is much more than going through a collection of photographs. It feels like accompanying a photographer through several decades of his life and, more importantly, learning how he has learned to see the world.
   The two volumes are beautifully conceived as complementary experiences. The first takes the reader into the expressive world of black-and-white photography, where light, shadow, texture and composition become especially important. The second opens up the vibrant world of colour, bringing a different energy and emotional quality to the visual narrative. Even the distinction between the two volumes feels meaningful rather than merely aesthetic.

   What I enjoyed most is that the photographs are not presented in isolation. Behind many of them are stories, observations, memories, and technical insights. This makes the reader pause and look at a photograph differently. Instead of simply asking, “Is this a beautiful picture?”, one begins to ask, “What did the photographer see here that others might have missed?”
   That, perhaps, is one of the greatest strengths of these books.
   The memoir also offers an interesting glimpse into the changing world of photography. The discussions around cameras, photographic techniques, film, the working methods of an earlier generation of photographers, and the eventual transition into the digital era give the books a historical dimension. For younger readers who have grown up with smartphone cameras and instant digital images, this aspect is particularly fascinating.

   I also appreciated the author’s willingness to share the technical side of photography. Concepts such as composition, exposure, shutter speed, and other photographic considerations are connected with actual experiences and photographs rather than being presented as dry technical theory. This makes the learning considerably more engaging.
   But what makes the books truly memorable is the human element.
   The photographs capture not only landscapes and places but also people, expressions, everyday activities and fleeting moments. There is an evident sensitivity towards ordinary life. A child, an artisan, a traveller, a worker, a landscape, a street scene or a passing moment can become worthy of attention when viewed through a photographer’s patient and observant eye.
   And that is perhaps the most valuable lesson these books offer: photography is not merely about possessing a good camera; it is about developing the ability to observe.

   The memoir also made me appreciate the amount of patience that serious photography requires. In an age when thousands of photographs can be taken within minutes, something is refreshing about a body of work created through observation, anticipation, and an understanding of the right moment. The books remind us that a memorable photograph often begins long before the shutter is pressed.
   Volume I, with its monochrome images, has a particularly timeless character. Black and white removes the distraction of colour and places greater emphasis on form, light, shadow, texture and human expression. Volume II, in contrast, celebrates the richness and vitality of colour and gives the reader a broader visual journey through people, places, landscapes and cultures.
   Another aspect I found appealing is that the books preserve not only photographs but also a photographic era. They document a period when photography involved considerably more patience and technical involvement than it often does today. In that sense, the memoir becomes both a personal record and a small piece of photographic history.
   For someone interested in photography, these volumes can therefore be approached at several levels. They can be enjoyed simply as beautifully illustrated books; they can be read as a personal memoir; they can be studied for their photographic techniques; or they can be appreciated as a record of how a lifelong passion can gradually develop into an artistic identity.
   What stayed with me most after going through the material is the sincerity behind the work. The title An Obsession Personified feels appropriate because the books convey photography not simply as an occupation or pastime, but as a way of experiencing life.
   In the end, these volumes reminded me that a photograph does something extraordinary: it takes an ordinary moment that has already disappeared and gives it another life.
   Anutosh Deb’s memoirs succeed in doing exactly that, not only preserving photographs, but preserving memories, people, places, emotions, and moments of time.

   I would recommend these two volumes not only to photographers and photography students, but also to anyone who enjoys art, travel, human stories, and visual storytelling. They are books to look at, read slowly, and return to.
   For me, the greatest achievement of Photography: An Obsession Personified is that after turning the pages, one becomes a little more conscious of the world around us. We begin to notice the light falling through a window, a fleeting expression on someone’s face, an unusual shadow, a quiet landscape or an otherwise ordinary moment.
   And perhaps that is the mark of a good photography book: it doesn’t merely show you photographs; it teaches you to see.
   A deeply personal, visually engaging, and inspiring celebration of a lifelong passion for photography.

2. The two volumes of the memoirs are truly mesmerizing in their insight, depth, minute details, keen observation, and artistic execution. The mastery of monochrome is spectacular and remarkable, particularly in the artistic use of contrast, light, and shadow. The visual impact is beyond imagination and undoubtedly deserves the highest appreciation and acknowledgment. On the other hand, the vibrant colours in the second volume signify radiance and liveliness, filled with energy, vitality, splendour, and glory. They evoke a sense of eternity and timelessness, transforming each photograph into a work of art that becomes immortal and remains etched in the human heart through the ages.
   I feel blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to come across such immortal fragments of photography. Each image seems to pour out spontaneous emotions from the heart and appears deeply interconnected with the everyday lives of people and their journey through this transient existence. Words do not possess the power to fully express the feelings of my soul. Yet, I can certainly express the divine bliss, tranquillity, and harmony that these photographs have awakened deep within me. I therefore bow in tribute and honour to you for your exceptional presentation of realistic sketches of life through the timeless language of photography. Heartfelt regards to the memory of Asu Dev, and blessings to Anutosh.

3. I feel fortunate and deeply overwhelmed to have had the opportunity to read the two-volume memoir, Photography – An Obsession Personified: The Narratives in Monochrome and Colour, by Anutosh Deb. We have been friends since our school days and later had the privilege of working together in the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. Over the years, I have witnessed his remarkable talent, dedication, and passion for photography.

   These two volumes are truly marvellous and inspiring. Each photograph is meaningful, vibrant, and deeply personal. A testimony to the author’s memories, experiences, and observations, captured through his lens and narrated with remarkable simplicity. The photographs do not merely record moments; they bring those moments, emotions, moods, people, and the beauty of nature to life.
   Reading these memoirs is an enriching experience. They teach us to observe, appreciate, and capture both the extraordinary and the seemingly ordinary moments of life. The thoughtful selection of black and white as well as colour photographs reflects Anutosh’s artistic sensibility and his distinctive way of seeing the world. What makes these volumes particularly valuable is the author’s sincere effort to share not only his photographic journey and life experiences but also the knowledge, techniques, and practical insights he has gained over the years. In this respect, the memoirs serve not only as a fascinating account of a photographer’s journey but also as an informative and inspiring guide for anyone interested in learning and developing the art and technique of photography.

   I sincerely congratulate Anutosh on bringing these remarkable memoirs to the readers. His dedication, creativity, and lifelong passion for photography are evident throughout the two volumes. I wholeheartedly recommend these books to all photography enthusiasts and to anyone who wishes to discover the joy of seeing and capturing life through the lens.

4. Anutosh Deb’s two-volume memoir, Photography: An Obsession Personified — The Narratives in Monochrome and Colours, is much more than a collection of photographs or memoirs.
   I have known Anutosh since 1981, and I consider myself fortunate to have known him for so many years. I am truly overwhelmed to see these two volumes come together. They reveal the curiosity, patience, tenacity, and above all, the deep love for photography that have defined Anutosh throughout his life.
   Anutosh has a keen sense of composition, depth, perspective, and visual perception. His understanding of light and shadow often reflects the techniques of painting, particularly the use of high contrast to create visual impact. A good photograph is also a good picture, and his work beautifully demonstrates this principle through simplicity, grace, balance, and the charm of everyday life.
   These volumes are rich in content and distinguished by the quality of their photographs. Anutosh has been talented, intelligent, and curious since childhood. He must have imbibed much of his creative sense of composition from his illustrious father, Late Asu Dev a pioneering Artist of Assam.
   I once again congratulate Anutosh on the publication of these two interesting volumes and wish him continued success, along with many more photographic journeys, memorable frames, and creative milestones in the years ahead.
   May God bless him abundantly and fulfil all his wishes and dreams. May he always remain blessed.

5. “PHOTOGRAPHY: AN OBSESSION PERSONIFIED-VOLUME-I & II” are memoirs documenting photographs taken and described aptly by the very talented Anutosh Deb. As I went through these volumes, one in monochrome and another in colour, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Deb Sir is not only an ace photographer but is an equally gifted writer. As I flipped through the pages, mesmerized by the beautiful photographs, I read the anecdotes describing them, holding on to every word written by him. Deb Sir’s prose is equally captivating like the images he has frozen in time.
   Volume-II has a foreword by Late Navakanta Barua, summing up Deb Sir aptly—‘painter with a camera’.
   Volume I starts off with a lovely testimonial by Deb Sir’s classmate, Nandini Bhattacharjee, describing the black and white prints as ‘portals to the wonder, enthusiasm and joy of photography’. The very first photo of Volume- I has a contrast of movement of a priest emerging from a terracotta temple, which is standing still. Deb Sir captures fleeting moments of people in rural landscapes and leading humble lives.
   As a curious child, Sir was first inspired by Md. Sadullah, his father’s photographer friend. Sir’s gratitude to everyone who was part of his photography journey shines through in his prose. Late artists Dhruba Deka and Pranabendu Bikash Dhar moulded Deb Sir’s talent. Not only does Sir document a meticulous history of different cameras, but he also highlights how to handle a camera with useful technical tips. These volumes are treasure troves for all aspiring photographers. Deb Sir’s experiences as a student of M.S. University of Baroda further fuelled his passion for photography. He thanks stalwarts like Mahesh Deshpande and owner of a photography store, Chandan Majumdar and Ajit Bhattacharjee of College Studio, Guwahati, who were storehouses of knowledge in photography. He also writes about his mentor, Girish Khatri and a technical assistant, Ramchanderji. Khatri Sir asked Deb Sir to do assignments meant for senior batches, acknowledging him as a photographer prodigy.
   Deb Sir’s first camera—-an SLR Olympus OM 1 was a gift from his mother. It is no wonder that Deb Sir received prestigious awards in the 17th National Photography Contest, judged by Raghu Rai. Sir’s photo of a flight of pigeons earned him the accolade of ‘Photographer of the Month’ in Mirror magazine’s 1989 issue. Sir has a panache of photographing children—one such photo in classic black and white has four children squatting, giggling gleefully with mischief gleaming in their eyes. Another such photo has a group of children close to their grandmother—-a contrast between innocence and wisdom. Yet another such photo is of children cradling their baby siblings in a tea estate in Chandubi. Deb Sir also loves rain, as is evident from his photographs.
   Deb Sir had his first one-man exhibition at the State Art Gallery, Guwahati in 1989, where he met his student Prabhakar De, now a professional photographer. Sir had a brief stint as a photojournalist in G.L. Publications and then turned to freelancing, contributing to leading newspapers like The Sentinel, Xadin, Ajir Axom, etc. As an Art Educator in the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Sir travelled abroad on official tours to Rome, Singapore and Barcelona, which enriched him as a photographer.
   One of the most challenging photos Sir took were of Late Lata Mangeshkar in a historic live concert in Nehru Stadium, Guwahati. He speaks about the challenges for photographers in this digital age, especially with camera brands like Hasselbrad and Carl Zeiss collaborating with smartphone manufacturers. It was in the early 1980s when Sir associated with Gauhati Artists’ Guild, where Late Dhruba Deka taught him the basics of photography—-focussing, framing, exposure and operating modes of the camera. Deb Sir emphasizes the importance of skill, observation, discretion and perspective for a photographer.
   Some of his photos are witnesses of his expertise with shutter speed, especially the iconic photo of Leopold Cafe and another one of a flight of pigeons in Vadodara. Deb Sir’s portrait photos of Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Hiren Bhattacharyya, Bijay Sankar, Sanat Kar, Pranab Barua, Dr Bhupen Hazarika_, B.V. Karanth are picture perfect. So is the photo of Zulfikar, the legendary local diver in the deep step-well at Buland Darwaza. Another photo of an artisan moulding earth into terracotta utensils is magical.
   VOLUME-II has iconic photos of yellow Ambassador taxis against grey cantilevers of Rabindra Setu and of the majestic pink and white hued Kanchanjunga at dawn, of a horde of wild water buffaloes along Manas river and an earthy and sepia toned photo titled, ‘Destitution Personified’ which earned him the first prize in the Photo Contest by Assam Tourism. Other photos that remain etched in my memory long after I saw them are of a lady weaving unique, traditional Tibetan designs in Darjeeling—beautifully focussing on her face lined with complete concentration and slightly blurring the threads; another titled, ‘Homeward Bound’ of a Guwahati sunset over the Brahmaputra with the Saraighat Bridge and a ferry against the skyline. Another rare photo by Deb Sir is of a lady fishing while seated on a boulder in the Umngot river, Dawki and another of a boat in the Kulsi river arched by a canopy.
   A photo that visually appealed to me is of the endless, rushing cascade of Krangsuri Falls, Meghalaya, with its beautiful blue contrasting the red life jackets of its onlookers and of a scene in the late hours in Pelling, Sikkim, mist and silence adding to the blue, surreal tones. Yet another photo testifying Deb Sir’s finesse is one of two boys floating on a tube in a river, with their rippling laughter and concentric ripples around them. A landscape photo of a scene in Umium, Meghalaya—hills rolling in the distance, melting in the smoke, mist and silence of a fading dawn is as beautiful as a watercolour painting. A photo that captured silent companionship of a man making some colourful handicrafts with his better half gazing at him lovingly is memorable too.
   These precious volumes by Anutosh Deb prove that he is a name to reckon with in the world of photography and upcoming photographers can learn a lot from them. Here’s hoping that more such volumes are published in the future too, illuminating budding photographers.

6. Reading both volumes of your photography memoir has been a truly special experience. What makes these books different for me is that they are not simply collections of photographs or accounts of a photographer’s journey; they are deeply personal records of the people, experiences and memories that have shaped that journey.

   The first volume, with its beautiful black-and-white presentation, and the second volume, with its vibrant colour photographs, feel distinct yet connected. I particularly loved how you have included details about the many people who became a part of your life and photography journey. It is not only about the prominent people one might expect to find in a memoir, but also about the lesser-known individuals who contributed to your journey in their own ways—even people such as the laboratory assistant who worked in the darkroom. These details make the memoir feel incredibly human and intimate.

   Another aspect I appreciated is how the books share photography knowledge alongside the stories and photographs. Concepts such as shutter speed, aperture and other technical aspects are explained through actual photographic experiences, making them much more interesting and relatable than simply reading them from a textbook. The photographs, along with their captions and the stories behind them, make the learning experience even more meaningful.

   One of my favourite parts is the photographs taken from the window seats of airplanes. I have personally come to associate this with your advice to me whenever I travel by air—to choose seat A or F depending on which side of the Himalayas I want to photograph. That small piece of advice has stayed with me because it reflects something much bigger about your approach to photography: you constantly encourage us to look at ordinary moments differently and to always be ready to photograph what is around us.

   For me, these memoirs are not just books about photography; they are books about a life lived through photography. They preserve photographs, technical knowledge, memories and, most importantly, the people behind those memories. As your student, reading them has made me appreciate not only your work as a photographer but also the journey and experiences that shaped you as one.

   I feel genuinely fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from you, and I am proud to call myself your student. Congratulations once again on bringing these two volumes to life.

7. Photography: An Obsession Personified

   Volumes I & II — The Narratives in Monochrome and Colours

   Anutosh Deb is my friend, my inspiration to become a photographer, and also my Guru. He taught me the fundamentals of photography and guided and supported me in every aspect of my journey as a photographer.

   A photographer, artist and educator, Anutosh has earned recognition at both national and international levels during his more than four decades of involvement in photography and art education. On 2 August 2026, he added another feather to his cap with the release of his first book on photography, Photography: An Obsession Personified. Eminent sculptor Biren Singha, senior journalist and author Hemanta Barman, and photojournalist Subhamoy Bhattacharjee were present as special guests at the event.

   Photography: An Obsession Personified comprises two volumes—Volume I and Volume II.

   Volume I, The Narratives in Monochrome, focuses on Anutosh’s journey as a photographer and includes articles on his experiences, an introduction to photography, an understanding of its fundamentals, and other aspects of the medium. It also features some outstanding photographs taken between 1985 and 1995 on black-and-white film.

   One of the noteworthy features of the book is that every photograph is accompanied by detailed technical information, the story behind the image, and the photographer’s thoughts and feelings while creating it. This will be of great help to young photographers who wish to pursue photography seriously, not only from a technical perspective but also from an aesthetic and creative point of view.

   The volume also includes a chapter titled “A Brief History of Photography.” This is a very interesting and informative chapter. In my opinion, every serious photographer should have a basic understanding of the history and evolution of photography. This chapter will certainly be beneficial to them.

   Another interesting chapter, “Photography Scenario During the 1980s,” presents a precise account of the photographic scene from the 1980s to the beginning of the digital era around 2010. I am sure this chapter will make many senior photographers nostalgic as they revisit an important period of transition in the history of photography.

   Volume II, The Narratives in Colours, shifts the focus to the vivid world of colour photography and contains a beautiful selection of colour photographs. Like the first volume, it maintains the same high standard, with insightful behind-the-lens commentary, technical details, and the stories and contexts associated with each image.

   Photography: An Obsession Personified is more than just a book of photographs. It is a personal journey, a learning resource, a historical record, and a reflection of Anutosh’s lifelong dedication to photography.

   For aspiring photographers, experienced practitioners, and art lovers alike, these two volumes offer valuable insights into the art and practice of photography. They are a meaningful record of Anutosh Deb’s photographic journey and a lasting testament to his passion, knowledge, and commitment to the medium.

8. A Journey of Passion Through the Lens

   I have known Mr. Anutosh Deb since 2007, and over the years, I have come to know him as someone whose passion for photography is truly unmatched. Photography, for him, has never been merely a hobby or a profession – it is an obsession in the finest sense of the word, a way of seeing, observing, experiencing and preserving the world around him.

   His two-volume memoir, Photography- An Obsession Personified, is a fitting reflection of this lifelong journey. The books bring together his experiences and photographic pursuits, capturing the many places, people, moments and perspectives that have shaped him as a photographer. The publication itself stands as a testament to a life spent behind the camera, constantly searching for that one perfect frame.

   Having seen him at work, I can personally vouch for the extraordinary dedication that goes into his photography. I have watched him work tirelessly, often with remarkable patience and persistence, simply to get the perfect shot. What may appear to others as a fleeting moment is, for him, the result of careful observation, anticipation and an uncompromising eye for detail.

   I have also had the opportunity to be part of a few photo campaign trips with him. Those journeys allowed me to see a new side of Mr. Deb- not just as a friend or fellow traveller, but as a photographer completely immersed in his surroundings. His ability to look beyond the obvious, to discover beauty in ordinary moments, and to patiently wait for the right composition made those experiences memorable.

   These volumes are therefore more than a collection of photographs or memoirs. They reflect the journey of a person who has remained deeply committed to his passion over the years. They reveal the curiosity, patience, perseverance and, above all, the love for photography that define Mr. Anutosh Deb.

   Congratulations, Mr. Deb, on this wonderful publication and on documenting such an inspiring journey. I wish you the very best for these books and for many more photographic journeys, memorable frames and creative milestones in the years ahead. May your obsession with photography continue to inspire others to look at the world a little more closely—and a little differently.