In 1972, Ghulam Mohammad Sofi joined Srinagar’s legendary Mahatta studio. Founded in 1915, it pioneered colour photography, capturing history, celebrities, and Kashmir’s essence through its lens.
Ghulam Mohammad Sofi, who joined Srinagar’s legendary Mahatta Studio in 1972, looks back on his journey. Here it is in his words:
I still remember the day I first walked into the Mahatta Studio–February 2, 1972. Back then, it was a bustling space, alive with the hum of creativity and the click of cameras.
It wasn’t just a workplace. It felt like a second home. Ram Chand Mehta, the founder, had a way of making everyone feel like family. He often called me his son, and that bond carried on through the decades I spent working there.
The studio had an intriguing history even before I joined. Amarnath and Ram Chand Mehta had moved to Kashmir from Gurdaspur, Punjab, in 1905. Ten years later, in 1915, they opened a small photo studio on a houseboat on the Jhelum River in uptown Srinagar.
In 1957, the Mahatta studio achieved a major milestone–it was the first to introduce colour photography in both Delhi and Srinagar.
The business grew, and they eventually shifted to a shop on the Jhelum embankment, where the studio still stands today under the name Mahatta & Co.
The story behind the name “Mahatta” is one I’ve told countless times. Originally, the family name was Mehta, but British tourists often mispronounced it as “Mahatta.” Instead of correcting them, the Mehtas embraced it, and that became our brand. It’s funny how something so simple can shape a legacy.
Ram Chand Mehta was not just my employer – he was a mentor and a guide. When he passed away in 1994, his son, Jagdish Mehta, took over. Jagdish always reminded us of the respect his father had for us. “You are my brothers because my father called you his sons,” he would say. That sentiment carried me through my 50-year journey with the Mahatta studio.
Working there opened doors I never imagined. On behalf of the Mahattas, I became the official photographer for VVIP events in Kashmir. I photographed leaders like Indira Gandhi, Giani Zail Singh, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, and Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. My lens also captured the charm of film stars like Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, Rajesh Khanna, and Jagdeep during their visits to this paradise.
In 1957, the Mahatta studio achieved a major milestone–it was the first to introduce colour photography in both Delhi and Srinagar.
At the time, only Mumbai offered similar services. It was revolutionary, and clients would come from far and wide to experience the magic of colour photographs. I still remember the pride we felt when people would marvel at our work.
But times changed. Technology advanced, and the demand for traditional photography declined. What was once a hub of innovation has now become a photo gallery, housing antique cameras as relics of a glorious past. It’s bittersweet to walk through the space now, seeing the echoes of what once was.
For me, Mahatta Studio wasn’t just a workplace. It was a lifetime of memories, friendships, and artistry. Even though the world around us has changed, the legacy of Mahatta & Co. lives on, etched not just in photographs but in the hearts of those who were part of its story.
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The thumbnail shows the legendary Mahatta studio.
Sadaf Shabir is a multimedia journalist based in Kashmir. His focus lies in shedding light on important issues such as gender, education, and conflict.
Fahim Mattoo is a multimedia journalist based in Kashmir, striving to bring untold stories to the forefront, giving voice to those who are often unheard.
