INTERVIEW
September 6, 2024
FRAGMENTS OF MEMORY
An Ode to the Umrigar Residence
Photography by Dasha Darvaj Umrigar
Interview by Melanie Meggs
In the landscape of contemporary visual arts, Dasha Darvaj Umrigar emerges as a promising and insightful talent. Currently a second year Communication Design student at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Dasha brings a unique perspective shaped by her upbringing in Karachi, a city in Pakistan renowned for its dynamic interplay of light and life. Her artistic journey is marked by a passion for storytelling through both compelling visuals and intimate photography.
Dasha’s education in Communication Design has been instrumental in refining her visual narrative skills. Her dedication to exploring various mediums reflects a relentless pursuit of artistic growth and innovation. In her work, she gravitates toward photographs that transcend mere aesthetics, striving instead to forge a profound emotional connection with her audience. Her fascination with capturing the beauty within the mundane and the ordinary is evident in her attention to light, shadow, texture, and color — elements that transform everyday scenes into extraordinary visual experiences.
As Dasha progresses in her studies, she aspires not only to excel as a photographer but also to delve into UI/UX design and Graphic Design. Her ambition is to evoke emotions and foster meaningful dialogue through her visual creations.
Her latest project, a poignant photo story for her third-semester assignment, captures the melancholy of a once vibrant home now reduced to whispers of solitude. The narrative unfolds through images of empty rooms and fading memories, portraying a space where laughter and tears have long since dissipated. This project embodies Dasha’s commitment to exploring the intersection of memory and decay, offering viewers a contemplative reflection on the remnants of lives lived and lost.
Join us as we uncover the layers of Dasha Darvaj Umrigar’s creative journey. Her insights and reflections will offer a richer understanding of how she is navigating the realms of visual art, from her formative experiences in Karachi to her current explorations in Communication Design.
An Ode to the Umrigar Residence
Once a bustling home to the family of seventeen, its walls now echo whispers of silence.
In every nook, a tale, a memory remains.
Laughter and tears, fading memories and shattered dreams, with each crack, the place they once called home, piece by piece, falls apart.
Empty rooms and murmurs of solitude; the remnants of those who lived and were lost.
IN CONVERSATION WITH DASHA DARVAJ UMRIGAR
THE PICTORIAL LIST: Hello Dasha, thank you for sharing your personal photo story “An Ode to the Umrigar Residence” for your third-semester assignment. Please tell our readers about the creative process behind the story of the home that once housed seventeen people. What inspired you to delve into this particular narrative, and how do you hope it resonates with viewers?
DASHA: The creative process for this photo essay stemmed from my desire to learn more about my family history and their connection to this house. Growing up, I heard numerous stories from my father of how he, his siblings, cousins, his uncle and aunt all lived happily together under one roof. It was the stories growing up that inspired me to preserve the legacy of those who once lived there and many who were lost.
I believe choosing to work around a personal narrative revolving around family ties, the struggles they faced, and stories of shared space are universal themes that almost every one of us can relate to. Through my work, I aimed to build a connection with my audience while inspiring them to reflect on their own familial spaces and the bonds they share.
TPL: Can you share any challenges you faced while working on your photo story and how you overcame them?
DASHA: One of the most important challenges that I faced was deciding how to portray the house without missing out on other important elements. Even though the house was decaying, it still remained a lived-in space with my uncle residing there.
To overcome this, I had to spend a lot of time interviewing my uncle, understanding his emotions attached to the house and visiting the house several times. Balancing the two was difficult, but I finally chose to show the house through his eyes while ensuring other important parts were covered too.
TPL: What inspired you to pursue photography, and how did you start your journey in this field?
DASHA: I believe I always felt emotionally attached to this medium of expression and was naturally drawn towards it. Therefore, having gotten the chance to explore this passion further I decided to take photography as a course for my 3rd semester at my university.
TPL: Your journey as a Communication Design student at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture seems to be quite formative. How has your academic experience shaped your approach to visual storytelling?
DASHA: One of the ways that the curriculum here at IVSAA has helped shape my approach to visual storytelling is through their emphasis on critical thinking and research. The curriculum is designed in a way that we are able to challenge and question things. We are taught a diverse range of courses and have experimented with a variety of different mediums. This versatility has helped me grow and expand my thinking.
Additionally, collaborating with peers from different interdisciplinary departments has always helped broaden my horizon. With guidance from my instructors and the overall experience combined so far has all played a pivotal role in honing my skills.
TPL: Karachi, your city of origin, is known for its vibrant and dynamic environment. How has the city's unique character influenced your artistic vision and practice?
DASHA: I believe people are walking stories and the unique mix of culture and traditions has served as a major influence in the way I see life. The city’s bustling markets, vibrant streets and people have inspired me to create work that is deep, authentic and engaging.
TPL: In your work, you mention a focus on capturing the beauty in the mundane and ordinary. Can you elaborate on how you find and transform these everyday scenes into extraordinary visual experiences?
DASHA: I constantly find myself looking at things and observing which I feel serves as the foundation for my practical approach. I believe in noticing things that often go unnoticed. Using my knowledge of design principles and elements I am looking for interesting shadows, the subtle expressions on people’s faces and the play of light.
By using these observations, I enjoy experimenting with angles, compositions, light and shadow while capturing everyday moments.
I believe people are walking stories and the unique mix of culture and traditions has served as a major influence in the way I see life.
TPL: Photographers Arif Mahmood and Nirav Patel have been significant influences on your work. Can you describe a specific aspect of their photography that has deeply impacted your own creative process?
DASHA: I am deeply fascinated with the way photographer Arif Mahmood is able to capture the rawness of the people he meets, the places he visits. His ability to tell real unfiltered stories is what catches my eye. While Mahmood’s work focuses on creating deeper narratives, I am equally captivated with the way Nirav Patel looks at light. It almost feels like he is worshiping towards it through his photographs. His shots are intimate, ethereal and experimental. Through his work, I see how light can be both moody and emotional.
Both their influences combined have taught me to look at things differently and develop an expressive approach.
TPL: In what ways do you believe your background in Communication Design will complement your photography, and how do the skills from one discipline inform the other? How do you see the role of emerging technologies and media in shaping the future of visual storytelling?
DASHA: My background in Communication Design complements my photography in several ways. The principles of design, the in-depth study of colour theory and typography play an integral part in creating compelling visuals. Understanding balance and harmony, analyzing negative and positive space help me create images that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also impactful.
As for the role of emerging technologies and media, with the advancements in technology, photography will take a new shape pushing boundaries of traditional storytelling. These advancements I believe will help create a much more immersive experience for viewers.
TPL: What role do you think your personal experience will play in your future artistic practice, and will you incorporate elements of your own life into your visual stories?
TPL: What was the first camera you ever held in your hand, brought to eye, and released a shutter on? What camera/s do you currently use? Do you have anything on your Wishlist?
DASHA: The first camera that I ever held was the Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS. Currently I use the Canon 600D model. A Fuji film camera is definitely on my Wishlist.
TPL: How do you see your artistic practice evolving over the next few years, and what are your long-term goals as both a photographer and a designer?
DASHA: Over the next few years I see myself exploring new techniques and experimenting with different approaches of storytelling. By blending the two fields, I also see myself delving into photojournalism.
TPL: When you're not creating work, what else moves your world, Dasha? What would we find you doing if not photography?
DASHA: When I’m not creating work, I love helping around the kitchen with my mother. Cooking together is our kind of therapy, helping us unwind from our busy schedules. Besides that, you could also find me immersed in a good book.
Dasha Darvaj Umrigar’s practice is centered on the intersection of personal narrative and visual storytelling. Informed by her upbringing in Karachi and her studies at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, her work investigates themes of memory, space, and the quiet power of everyday moments. With an eye for composition and a sensitivity to light, she turns ordinary scenes into reflections on time and experience. As Dasha continues her exploration of both photography and design, she remains committed to expanding her approach, blending disciplines to create work that speaks to a deeper connection between image and story.
