Mukesh Parpiani is a renowned photojournalist from Mumbai. Best known for his stunning captures of the Mumbai police, Parpiani has several prestigious awards to his name. Yet, he maintains that being complimented by his fans on photographers that he has long forgotten surpasses any honour or accolade that he has been felicitated with in his highly successful career.

What inspired you to take up photography? How did you get into photojournalism?
I have been into photography since my childhood when I used to see my elder brother shooting pictures and developing them at home in our make shift darkroom. Subsequently after my studies I took up photography courses with Professor P.K.M. Pillai to develop my photography skills. From there on I went to Xavier’s Institute of Communication and started freelancing as a photo journalist.

Are you a self taught photographer or have you had formal training in photography?
I believe every photographer is self taught. All a photographer needs is the dedication to pick up threads from his/her guru.

I don’t prepare for any story. I shoot as I see things unfold in front of my camera.

Photojournalism is all about being at the right place at the right time. How did you keep abreast of all the newsworthy events and incidents?  
Yes, in photo journalism you need to be at right place and at the right time. Time and experience teach you how to develop contacts and “smell” the news so you are always on time to get the best shots.

Will it be right to say that photographs are the soul of a cover story?
Yes, pictures are the soul of a story. However, these days journalists use the pictures to make up stories.

What kind of preparations go behind covering a feature story?
I don’t prepare for any story. I shoot as I see things unfold in front of my camera. I never manipulate the events.

As a photojournalist there is immense risk of life and several challenges. How did you tackle that? Were there any instances when things got ugly during the shoot?
Patience, tolerance and dedication help you to face and manage professional hazards. There are many examples of ugly instances. But a photojournalist has to live with them and forget to carry on.

Shooting for newspapers versus other types of publications is different. How does a photographer prepare for this?
Having spent three decades with newspapers, I feel my pictures are stronger than pictures that are planned and shot by magazines.

Why only news? Why not sports or features or other branches of photography?
To do sports photography, you must know the games very well. I frankly admit that I am not a keen sports follower and rarely shoot sports. However I have attended various sports events and produced good offbeat pictures.

You captured the Mumbai police for over two decades. What made you do so?
I saw Mumbai police from close quarters when they went on a one day strike in 1981 and since then they have been one of my favourite subjects.

How important is the role of printing in photojournalism?
Excellent printing brings crown to your images.

What was your reaction after winning the Sahyog Award for Photo Journalism in 1998?
Sahyog foundation is not the only award I have won. There are many such awards in my showcase. For me the biggest award is when you meet your newspaper readers and they talk about your pictures, old pictures they still remember which you yourself have forgotten.

Patience, tolerance and dedication help you to face and manage professional hazards.

What prompted you to take up the position of the curator at the Piramal Photo Art Gallery?
I moved to Piramal gallery, where I did three out of my seven exhibitions, to do some creative work for myself as well as for upcoming photographers.

Photos by Mukesh Parpiani | Fotosocial

	Quick 5: Your Favourite Camera: Camera is immaterial to me. I have even shot pictures with a box camera in my early days. However, since the last three decades, I have been using Nikon. Your Favourite Shoot: I will never forget shooting Mrs. Indira Gandhi. It was a lot of fun shooting her all through the day and night whenever she was in Mumbai, then Bombay. Your Preferred Location: From the past 47 years, Mumbai has been my matrubhoomi. But I would love to shoot India, if someone sponsors my trips. Favourite Photographer: Every photographer is different from other and so it is difficult to pinpoint just one. Most memorable story: Shooting Mrs. Gandhi.