Shillong — A special three-day exhibition titled ‘Em No Nahi’ will celebrate the life, work and enduring legacy of noted activist, photographer and filmmaker Tarun Bhartiya at St. Anthony’s College from December 10 to 12.
First showcased at the National Photography Festival 2025 at Navjivan Trust, Ahmedabad, the exhibition brings together a striking collection of Bhartiya’s photographs documenting stories of resistance in the Khasi Hills. Central to the showcase is the iconic struggle of Kong Spility Lyngdoh Langrin, the Khasi elder who famously refused to sell her uranium-rich land despite intense pressure. Bhartiya’s images honour her steadfast defiance while illuminating broader ecological and political movements in the region.
A major highlight of the event will be the release of Bhartiya’s first photobook, Em No Nahi, published by Yaarbal Books. The book extends his lifelong engagement with themes of land, identity and resistance—threads that define much of his artistic and political practice.
The three-day programme will also feature daily film screenings, offering audiences a comprehensive view of Bhartiya’s extensive documentary work. These films delve into social movements, cultural memory, and political histories across the Northeast, highlighting the depth and reach of his storytelling.
Students, scholars, artists, activists and the general public are invited to engage with the exhibition, which stands as both an artistic archive and a political testament with lasting relevance in the Northeast and beyond.
The event is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Mass Media and the North East India AV Archive, St. Anthony’s College, Shillong.
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