Mangaluru: A rare and evocative visual archive documenting three transformative decades of Mangaluru’s history will be unveiled on Monday evening with the inauguration of a permanent black-and-white photo exhibition at Tulu Bhavan. Titled “Kudla Chitra Darshana”, the exhibition showcases photographs taken between 1970 and 2000, offering a compelling glimpse into the social, cultural, and urban evolution of coastal Karnataka.
The exhibition will be inaugurated at 4 pm by Kishore Alva, Executive Director and Chairman of the Adani Group. Installed on the second floor of Tulu Bhavan at the S.U. Paniyadi Tulu Nadu Chavadi, the exhibition has been curated as a permanent public archive, preserving visual memories of a city in transition.
Photographs chronicling three decades of change
The exhibition features 51 carefully selected black-and-white photographs, curated by the Art Kanara Trust from the extensive body of work of veteran photojournalist Yajna. The images capture everyday life, public gatherings, political movements, cultural moments, and urban landscapes that have either transformed or disappeared over time.
Together, the photographs document Mangaluru’s journey from a relatively quiet coastal town to a growing urban centre, reflecting shifts in architecture, transport, livelihoods, and social interactions. Visitors can expect to see scenes that evoke nostalgia while also serving as an important historical record for future generations.
Tribute to veteran photojournalist Yajna
Yajna is regarded as one of the most respected photojournalists of coastal Karnataka. Working entirely in the era of film photography, he documented life with patience, technical skill, and a keen eye for human stories. His photographs are known for their strong composition, emotional depth, and ability to capture decisive moments that define a period.
Over the years, his work has appeared in several leading Kannada publications and has been widely appreciated for its journalistic integrity and historical value. The Kudla Chitra Darshana exhibition is seen as a tribute to his lifelong contribution to visual storytelling and documentation of the region.
Cultural leaders to grace the inauguration
The programme will be presided over by Taranath Gatti Kapikad, President of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, underlining the exhibition’s importance to Tulu cultural heritage. The nameplate of the S.U. Paniyadi Tulu Nadu Chavadi will be unveiled by Dr Madan Mohan Naik, founder of the Moodipu Tulu Nadu Siri Museum.
The event will also be attended by several prominent figures from the cultural and journalistic community, including Subhash Chandra Basu, President of Art Kanara Trust; K.S. Yasir, founder of the Kalladla Museum; Prashanth Kumar Kattemaru of the Kattemar family; senior journalist Anita Pinto; academy registrar Poornima; and academy member Santosh Shetty Hiriyadka, according to an official academy release.
Permanent visual archive for the public
Unlike temporary exhibitions, Kudla Chitra Darshana has been designed as a permanent installation, allowing residents, students, researchers, and tourists to access Mangaluru’s visual history throughout the year. Cultural observers say the exhibition fills an important gap by preserving photographic records at a time when rapid urbanisation has altered much of the city’s physical and social landscape.
The initiative also strengthens Tulu Bhavan’s role as a centre for preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Tulunadu, extending its scope beyond language and literature into visual history.
Conclusion
The Kudla Chitra Darshana exhibition stands as a powerful reminder of Mangaluru’s past, frozen in frames that speak of everyday resilience, cultural continuity, and urban change. By bringing Yajna’s photographs into the public domain as a permanent archive, the exhibition not only honours a veteran photojournalist but also ensures that the city’s collective memory is preserved for generations to come.