KATHMANDU: With an exhibition of 54 photographs taken by Swiss geologist Tony Hagen, the ‘Photo Nepal’ campaign kicked off on the premises of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Bhrikutimandap on February 4. The exhibition features rare photographs of Kathmandu Valley shot during 1950 to 1980.

Hagen’s daughter Catrine Hagen unveiled an Alpha camera used by Tony to inaugurate the exhibition that features colourful, and black and white photos of areas in and around Kathmandu Valley.

“It is a matter of pride to inaugurate my father’s work. These photographs are the preserved cultural heritages and are helpful for all to know about Nepal and its history,” Catrine expressed during the event.

Clean and wide Bagmati River with the ghats, aerial view of Singhadurbar, Pashupatinath, Swoyambhu in wide range shots among others, are a part of the exhibition.

From old mud houses of Ekantakuna, Kirtipur or Patan, to goats grazing in airport to a vendor selling vegetables, Tony has captured the culture, tradition and geographical condition of the country during 1950 to 1980.

Pote Bazaar in Patan, people carrying a doli (a box like structure to carry a bride), army men cycling, and a boy standing at Narayan’s temple in Balaju — all depict the people of Kathmandu and their lifestyle. A mother looking at her daughter, a boy smiling at the camera while carrying a baby on his back have been captured in Tony’s close-up shot.

Unlike the Valley that has become a concrete jungle, it was a beautiful city with lots of open spaces. And this is evident in Tony’s aerial shot, wide shot, and even in the close-up photographs. Looking at his photos, you feel that clear blue sky, unpolluted rivers and ponds, and green rice fields were identities of Kathmandu then!

And the composition of these photos too is beautiful — there is a perfect balance of light and shade in them.

In the campaign started by NTB “to promote tourism in Nepal”, photos taken by various photographers will be exhibited on the premises of NTB every first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Gregorian months.

Tony’s photos will be on display till February 7 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.