A milestone of a photographer's journey

H. M. R. Perera's fourth exhibition at the Art Gallery:

Anuradha ABEYSEKARA

A photography exhibition by a veteran photographer H. M. R. Perera will be held at the National Art Gallery from December 18 to 21. The theme of the exhibition,

"Ridma-Symphony of Picture & Poem" illustrates its speciality as each and every exhibit contains a poetic explanation.

This is the fourth public exhibition of the artiste. The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. H. M.R's 50 chosen photographs along with meaningful poems will be a soothing treat to the viewers' sight and mind.

Influenced by his father H. M. R. fell in love with the camera in his childhood when he was studying at the Berrawarts College, Ampitiya. His father H. M. C. Perera was a 'tea taster' by Profession and had a keen interest on photography.

H. M. R. joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1968 and worked as an amateur photographer attached to the fingerprints division of the CID branch. There he learnt more about photography from Wilson Hegoda. He followed a photography course from the Hegoda Photography Institute and later completed a three-year diploma in Artistic photography, conducted by the Sri Lanka National Photographic Society. Soon after the course he was invited as a lecturer and known to be the longest serving lecturer in the National Photographic Society at present.

H. M. R.'s contribution to the Sri Lankan photography, as an artiste and a Professional has been recognized by the 'Federation International DeLa- Art Photographique' and awarded him 'Artiste-FIAP' degree. He has participated in three international photography competitions as an adjudicator in the Jury, and has been a frequent judge in local photography competitions.

Being in the field for more than 40 years as a professional, H. M. R. distributes his knowledge to budding photographers for no charge. He works as a visiting lecturer in many photography courses. With the aim to popularize photography among schoolchildren he has provided guidance to school photography societies in Visakha, Gothami and Ananda Colleges.

H. M. R. has formed an institution to carry out researches on photography and to preserve valuable photographs. He spends more time in research work and is willing to help those who study photography.