Showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage

Hyderabad: There is no dearth of Indians making their mark in foreign destinations. But few seek to promote the country of their origin. But here is an NRI, KN Wasif, who begs to differ. He has been a sort of brand ambassador for Indian tourism in Saudi Arabia. During his more than three decades of […]

Hyderabad: There is no dearth of Indians making their mark in foreign destinations. But few seek to promote the country of their origin. But here is an NRI, KN Wasif, who begs to differ. He has been a sort of brand ambassador for Indian tourism in Saudi Arabia. During his more than three decades of living in the desert kingdom, he has not lost any opportunity to highlight the places of historical importance in India, particularly its heritage wealth.

Wasif, who hails from Hyderabad, is a photojournalist. Having worked for several newspapers in Hyderabad, he left for Saudi Arabia where he is pursuing his hobby while eking out a living. Recently his coffee table book, India’s Architectural Heritage, was released at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh as part of the yearlong Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. It also marked the diamond jubilee of India’s diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.

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The 138-page book is Wasif’s labour of love spanning four decades of hard work. Designed by Ayaz Siddique, it has attention-grabbing pictures of over 150 monuments, forts and palaces. From Taj Mahal to Red Fort, Gol Gumbaz, Daulatabad Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. The book also has images of Charminar. It was his association with Albenaa, a Riyadh based architectural magazine, that led to his documentation of medieval Indian architecture known for its exquisite beauty and workmanship.

Wasif made use of his annual trips to India to capture the broad spectrum of the architecture of yesteryears. Over the years, he organised photo exhibitions in different cities of Saudi Arabia showcasing the architectural legacy of India. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, India’s Ambassador in Saudi Arabia till recently, released the book. He said it would be of great help in promoting Indian tourism. Besides being a great shutterbug, Wasif is also a columnist, essayist and satirist.