Lucknow – In a celebration of art, history, and photography, Synapse International Art Gallery, in collaboration with The Centrum Hotel, inaugurated a solo photography exhibition by renowned Lucknow-based photographer Anil Risal Singh. The exhibition, titled “The Residency – Thousand Stories Within,” opened with a grand ceremony at The Centrum Hotel.
The event commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and the unveiling of the E-catalog, graced by the Chief Guest, Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and the Guest of Honour, Nilabja Choudhury (IPS), Additional Director General of Police, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The exhibition will remain open to the public from June 1 to June 15, 2025, between 11 AM and 7 PM daily.
A host of eminent personalities attended the inaugural event, including:
-
Dr. Anil Rastogi, noted Indian theatre, television and film actor
-
Prof. Jai Krishna Agrawal, Former Principal-cum-Dean, College of Arts & Crafts, University of Lucknow
-
Sarvesh Goel, entrepreneur, educationist, marathoner, hotelier, and film producer
-
Jyotsna Arun, celebrated columnist and radio host
-
Namit Agrawal, Partner, Muralage
-
Padma Bhushan Purnima Varman, editor, poet, and writer
-
Akhilesh Nigam, senior painter, art critic, and historian
-
Rakesh Kumar Maurya, Founder and Director, Synapse International Art Gallery
-
Bhagwati Pant, General Manager, The Centrum Hotel
Speaking to the media, Rakesh Kumar Maurya shared insights into the exhibit, calling it a “profound exploration of possibilities through the lens of photography.” The collection features 30 striking photographic artworks that reinterpret the historical site of The Residency in Lucknow, blending artistic vision with historical reflection.
Anil Risal Singh’s work delves deep into the textures, emotions, and unseen elements of the Residency, a monument deeply tied to India’s 1857 rebellion. His compositions highlight isolation, visualization, and conceptualization, revealing a side of the structure that often goes unnoticed. “For me, the Residency is not just a location—it is an experience, a world of endless stories waiting to be captured,” said Singh.
The photographer further elaborated that the ruins of the Residency, partially destroyed during the 1857 uprising and weathered further with time, have paradoxically gained a unique aesthetic charm. Through his lens, Singh emphasizes the lines, energy, and spatial harmony that breathe new life into the historic ruins.
The exhibition invites visitors to witness how stillness and movement, past and present, and reality and imagination come together in Singh’s evocative imagery. It stands as a tribute to both the enduring spirit of the Residency and the transformative power of visual storytelling.
The exhibition is open to all, offering art lovers and history enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience The Residency as never seen before.
