ETERNAL REFLECTIONS BOOK
1st Edition 2015 / ISBN 9789382061182
Available on : www.amazon.com/author/siddharthlakhotia
A unique book with positive vibrations showcasing
colours of India through eyes of a Cardiac Surgeon.
More than 450 pages with around thousand colour
photographs, taken during his journeys around India, matching the vibrant
colours of Indian landscape arranged in a unique colour theme along with quotes
of positivity and wisdom from great souls of word.
A perfect book for gift to nature lovers and those
who wish to see India in all its colours.
Compiled in five colour sections, a virtual
rainbow, over 1000 mesmerising vibrant photographic images, meticulously
collected, covering all shades of life and nature, liberally captioned with
live quotes, is a gem of coffee table book. Going through the book is a
soothing ride on a rainbow of life.
It's a journey of exploring, feeling and enjoying
India through lenses and beyond.
Author says “The
Eternal, the timeless is reflected everywhere, whatever we see all around us,
there is a reflection of that eternal in it. This book is a journey through the
reflections of that eternal which can never be defined in words but can only be
felt and enjoyed in the beauty of innumerable colours of its endless
manifestations, that I have tried to capture in my travels across India.
I always wanted to publish my photos and spread it
to larger audience, by doing this I wanted to spread the message that artists
are not only those who study art formally. In fact we all are artists, every
human being, every creature; every life form existing in this word is an
artist. Art is inherent in all of us, we all practice art in one form or
another in every act we do.
Who doesn't love photography and to be photographed
? I think we all. Photography is both science and art, art with meditation
more. And taking photographs is purely an art and meditation, so I feel. So why
we do not enjoy art in its varied forms which has been gifted to each of us ?
Why we let artist in us die as we grow more and more in our professional
fields? I feel art can be kept alive in each of us, in whichever profession we
are. When we keep the artist inside us alive. I feel we do better in our chosen
fields. Art teaches us to be humble, to be caring and sharing and forgiving, to
be loving to all.”
Siddharth started with Kodak KB 10 camera in 1989.
Then he used Leica and Nikon FM 2 for around 4 to 5 years between 1998 to 2003.
From 2003 to 2009 he used Nikon coolpix point and shoot camera. In 2009 Nikon
D5000 became his companion, which he used till 2015. Now he is using Nikon D
5500 and Nikon D 750. Siddharth says now most of the times his phone is the
most used camera. “Camera body along with different type of lenses also play an
important role, and I enjoy my set of lenses with basic Nikon body.”
“But the most important is your composition, timing, angle and of course
your mood and love for the subject you are going to click. The more you love
and respect your subject, the more you meditate with the subject, more
beautiful it will come as a photograph. The connect between you and subject is
very important. When I am seeing through the eye piece of my camera, all my
other thoughts go away and my mind and heart gets united to see the subject
only.”
Dr. Siddharth Lakhotia M.S, M.Ch, FIACS is
Professor in the Department of Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at
Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. He
has been pioneer in establishment of Open Heart Surgery programme at IMS, BHU,
Cardiac and Thoracic ICUs, ECPT and PDCC in thoracic surgery courses. His main
professional interests are heart surgery for children, lung surgery and
teaching UG and PG students.
He has done seven highly successful solo
photographic exhibitions. His hobbies are travelling, long distance driving,
organic farming, swimming, organising music programmes, heritage conversation,
philately and philumeny, reading and yoga.
This book takes you on a journey based on various
colours in which eternal is reflected all around us. He has also added sayings
of wisdom by great souls of our mother earth, as their sayings also reflect same
eternal.
His message through this book : Develop love for nature and surroundings
and always cultivate your hobby, no matter what your profession is. Do not just
Dream, but chase your Dreams.
Let's enjoy Reflections of the Eternal that is everywhere around us.
Dr. Siddharth Lakhotia
MBBS, MS, M.Ch, FIACS
Professor and Head
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
Institute of Medical Sciences
BHU, Varanasi
drslakhotia@gmail.com
REVIEWS
I have seen a selection of images from Dr
Lakhotia's book.
One gets the impression that photography as an art
form is coming out from the domains of a select group and
newer, relatively younger groups of professionals are exerting their
influence.
As a cardiac surgeon one has to toil hard both in
operating rooms and in the corridors of wards, OPD and ICU. Yet he finds
inspiration and time to create such masterpieces which is a testimony to his
ability to play with the art and science of light.
I am sure, the book will be popular among students
of photography as well as common man.
Dr. B. K. Sinha
MS, MFIAP, ARPS, Hon FIP
Hony Secretary General, Federation of Indian
Photography
Ramesh kabra : Nature is beautiful and we can
derive lot of pleasure & delight only if we allow the child in each one of
us to look at nature with wonder, amazement & feeling of awe. Dr. Siddharth
Lakhotia seems to have that uncanny quality to see, listen to, feel &
experience d beauty of nature in d most unlikely places! His first book
'eternal reflections' is a celebration of his various journeys across d length
& breadth of this vast incredible country wherein he has so effortlessly
captured d many facets & myriad colours of nature through d lens of his
camera. The lofty mountains, vast expanse of oceans, mighty rivers, flora &
fauna and d landscape of d countryside find a divine expression through d magic
of his camera. I am sure this book will inspire many of us to look at &
appreciate nature with a new perspective.
Alok Sharma : Treat for the eyes and Soul
This is an absolutely amazing collection of
photographs, beautifully woven together in shades of rainbow....each photo
speaks a story and accompanying quotes make this a collector's item...must on
bookshelves of all art lovers.
D Stearn : What a beautiful and Inspiring Book
What a beautiful and inspiring book. Such beautiful
pictures of nature, children and much more. The quotes are beautiful too.
Making me think of life and all that is in it. Books mean different things to
different people. This book means INDIA and all the beauty of it.
He is a 'cardiac' surgeon with a heart of a 'poet
and artist'. Siddharth uses camera with the precision of a 'scalpel' to
create beautiful, stunning and spectacular 'live - sculptures' from
in-animate objects. His natural love, care, affection and compassion are
reflected in his photographs of human beings and nature. This Siddharth
preaches 'peace and harmony' not with words but with serene images he has
captured during last many years.
Mrs Sujata and Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjeev Vaishampayan
Army Medical Corps
We rarely grasp the beauty and splendor of what God
has gifted us… but capturing moments of life provides an opportunity to
relish it in absolute stillness and to reflect upon the importance of our own
existence… Dr Lakhotia has a special flair and talent of merging his mind,
body and soul with lenses… I am a witness of his many exhibitions
and portrayal of diversity of life from a range of angles… I also had the
opportunity to observe him immerse in action, living every moment of it
and capturing it with a smile… It is good to see the collection of flashes of
such timeless moments… my best wishes.
Dr. Rajan Srivastava
Deputy Registrar, BHU, Varanasi
While seeing and marveling at the photos taken by
Dr Siddharth Lakhotia, these words from the French poet Saint Exupery comes to
my mind. Definitely, Siddharth has seen with the heart while choosing the
scenes for his photos from the marvels of God's creation! And when we know that
Siddharth is a well experienced heart surgeon, I just wonder, what's the
relation between the physical heart which Dr Siddharth tries to heal through
his profession, and the spiritual heart which Saint Exupery recognizes as the
only means for seeing really !! In any way, whether in the operation theatre or
out in God's nature, he surely sees and acts with HEART… May we all learn to do
that!
Sister Sangeeta
Founder Director
Kiran Centre, Varanasi
His book on nature photography is nothing short of
awe-inspiring. Aptly titled "Eternal Reflection", the photographs in
this book showcase nature in all its magnificent splendor. From deep blue
waters lapping the feet of snowclad mountains, wind-swept beaches with crystal
green seas, radiant birds and flowers, sunrises and sunsets, monuments and
people against spectacular backdrops, every photograph makes one realize that
this varied beauty in nature could only have been created by a power much above
us. Going through this book will be a deep and powerful experience for every
reader.
Birender Yadav
College of Art, New Delhi
Being a doctor as a profession and photography as a
hobby he balances both in him beautifully.The creation outside is but a
reflection of the inside. His quest for life has made him explore down the
roots. Through his art one can see the love and passion he has for life.
Vidya Sharma
Kathak Dancer
