He has literally dedicated his life for photography. He skipped a prestigious government job to continue his clicks. From his birth place in Shahr-e-Khaas to mansions of the Saudi royals in the middle-east, he has been shooting relentlessly across the globe. His landscape shoots give life to photo-paper. But now he is on a mission to help give life to others. Meet renowned photographer Mukhtar Ahmad, who will auction some of his best shoots at a photo exhibition on October 21 to raise funds for Cancer Society of Kashmir.
 Some of the most prominent personalities from within the state and outside are expected to visit the exhibition Charming Facets of Kashmir by the ace photographer at Nigeen Club.
 But fame hasn’t come easy for this City man born on March 20, 1957 in Fateh Kadal area of Shahr-e-Khaas.
 Life was full of struggle to upkeep his passion of photography in a society like Kashmir’s where other professions are still given preference.
 But then his family has a changed perception: Better ask about Mukhtar from his daughter Anam Ahmad.
 Anam, pursuing her bachelors from a B-School has specially designed a profile for him titled: My Dad –As A Photographer. And the best part is that the Dad loves it.
 “One of my earliest memories is not that of playing with dolls or something but clearly that of posing in front of a camera for my dad. That’s how I know my father – as a photographer…,” she writes adding “Yes that’s my dad– a passionate and a very dedicated photographer today.”
 As about Mukhtar’s passion, Anam says “He grew up watching his maternal uncle, a photojournalist and drew his inspiration from him.”
 Mukhtar did his M Sc in Geography and Masters of Philosophy in Kashmir tourism. In 1983 he qualified the prestigious Kashmir Administrative Services exams.
 “But by the time the selection list was out I was in Saudi Arabia,” Mukhtar recaps.
 His father had informed him about the selection on phone.
 “But I was so busy with my passion in Saudi that I told my father I am contended and so won’t opt for the KAS.”
 “Mughay Deen Bhi mil gaya hai, aur duniya bhi,” Mukhtar had told his father about his stay in the Holy land.
 But then his work in Saudi wasn’t that of an amateur. Prior to his career there, he did his specialization in professional photography from the prestigious New York Institute of Photography.
 Adds his daughter: “Dad then headed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There during his tenure of nearly 16 years dad never neglected his passion. He simply went on...”
 Muhktar’s work fetched him several awards including the Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Youth Welfare, KSA.
 Later, he did some exclusive photography for the Royal families of the Saudi Kingdom and his work was duly appreciated.
 In Saudi, he also worked with Sharaf- Al- Dabagh, country’s famous photographer. Mukhtar counts that experience amongst his achievements.
 After some two decades of the stay abroad, he decided to return to his homeland and pursue his passion in Kashmir.
 “We saw him running from pillar to post in the years of his home coming as his professional work was not understood by most. His concepts being different, no one actually understood them. On the other hand, my dad was not ready to compromise with his standards,” Anam pitches about her father.
 “He waited patiently as he knew his time would surely come.”
 And finally when it clicked in Kashmir, there was no looking back again.
 Muhktar works for various government and corporate houses in the state and outside. Presently, he gives exclusive pictures for some half a million calendars every year.
 Many of his friends include world renowned photographers like Ashok Dilwali. As about Dilwali, Mukhtar respects him as his Guru in landscape photography.
 The Guru has a word of appreciation for his Kashmiri colleague.
 “Mukhtarbhai is one such devoted, skilled and a blessed person who has done his best. The result show so wonderfully. As they say Himmat e mardan, Madad e Khuda,  Almighty has been very pleased and it is the wish of everyone close to him that may Almighty keep giving him bonanzas of his search for all times to come,” Dilwali compliments him on his endeavor to auction his pictures for cancer patients.
 Mukhtar, who heads a family comprising two daughters, a son and a wife, is a contended man. But then the contentment didn’t come easy.
 Anam writes about this too: “I’ll have to sadly admit that along all this time he didn’t get much of the family support he needed. But he still didn’t step down and stood steady on his ground…And lo! When finally his time came, there was no looking back…”
 “His love for his picturesque motherland clearly reflects in his photography. This was now being acknowledged and equally appreciated,” she adds.
 Mukhtar is again on success track.
 But how do other Kashmiris acknowledge this world famed photographer? Well some still have a typical one-liner. “Wasta Aise Ti Tul Tu Photo,” Mukhtar quips as he zooms his camera to freeze a picture at his friend’s marriage at Dal Gate.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 IST