India. This My People. Text and Photographs by Madanjeet Singh.

Additional texts by Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi. Rizzoli, 1989.  159 pages.  Large heavy book in black cloth with protected dust jacket.  Ex-library with card pocket on rear flyleaf.  Spine label has been excised from spine of dust jacket and replaced with matching black insert so hardly noticeable (see photo below).  Despite faults noted above, an attractive copy with 92 excellent reproductions printed in Italy of Singh's photographs.  Photographs taken widely in India, including Kashmir, Eastern Himalaya, Malabar Coast, Kerala, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Maharashtra, Nilgiri Hills, Rajasthan, Siwalik Himalaya, New Delhi, Punjab Himalaya, et al.Summary:

This My People (1989) is a powerful, humanistic photographic record of rural India, featuring the work of diplomat, artist, and philanthropist Madanjeet Singh. Although published in the late 1980s, the book primarily showcases a collection of photographs taken between 1947 and 1949—the formative years of Indian independence.

Core Narrative and Context

The book serves as a visual bridge between the ancient traditions of the Indian subcontinent and the nascent modern state. Singh traveled across the country during a period of immense political upheaval to document the "eternal India" that existed beyond the headlines of Partition and revolution.

• The Common Man: As the title suggests, Singh’s focus is entirely on the laborers, peasants, and rural families who form the backbone of Indian society.

• Historical Significance: The volume includes a moving preface by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, who praised the work for its ability to capture the "spirit" and "vitality" of the Indian people without artifice.

Photographic Style

Singh’s black-and-white photography is characterized by its epic, cinematic quality, often compared to the neo-realist style of the filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

• Monumental Portraits: His subjects are framed with immense dignity; even in the midst of poverty, they are presented with a sculptural strength and grace.

• Cultural Landscapes: The images document daily rituals, communal labor in the fields, and the architectural heritage that serves as the backdrop to village life.

• Use of Light: Singh utilizes dramatic, natural light to emphasize texture—the weathered skin of an elder, the folds of a sari, or the dusty atmosphere of a rural marketplace.

Key Information

• Published: 1989 (originally conceived in the late 1940s).

• Author Background: Madanjeet Singh was a former Indian Ambassador and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador; his deep cultural knowledge informs the empathetic gaze of the camera.

• Format: A large-format volume featuring high-quality monochrome plates.

Summary: This My People is a profound act of cultural preservation. It is a lyrical tribute to the resilience and dignity of the Indian populace at the dawn of their independence, stripped of colonial tropes and replaced with an authentic, insider’s perspective.