A Way Into India

TLDR: This is not a coffee table book on India with the snake charmers, shikaras and doe eyed children.This is really a book for advanced photographers, those with an interest in understanding India beyond its exotic appeal, or students of art history and composition in art. Casual browsers will simply fail to spot the cohesive strains or the artistic merit in most of these pictures.The only text in the book, other than the foreword, acknowledgement & index, is three paragraphs by John Baldessari. I cannot but highlight the importance of the latter, because it describes how Raghubir Singh used the Ambassador car as a framing device, how it sometimes obscures what is important, thereby elevating what is instead visible.The Ambassador was the dominant car on Indian roads in the 60's and 70's. In the 80's, though still ubiquitous on the roads, it was slowly ceding ground to newer Japanese models. It was largely overtaken in the 90's, and except for government fleets and taxis, vanquished in the oughties.The book contains pictures from 1977-1997.These pictures capture facets of reality, not some fascination with the "exotic other" often seen in photo books about India. Here in this book is India in all its postcolonial vivacity, pride, chaos, struggle and duality.

Bought this book as a birthday gift for my father, who learned how to drive on an old Ambassador car. He raved about the photos and Raghubir Singh's work. If you're just getting into the photographer, who is known for his sweeping photography of India, this is a great first book with which to do so.

Most pictures are average. I did not see much of artitstic value. I will not recommend this book unless you are a die hard fan of the photographer.

Nice book.

Thousands of years of traditions flood the photos in A Way into India; A notable book in the ability to convey the passion of photographer Raghubir Singh without written words. Singh's concept is simple: capture the fabric of India's culture all whilst traveling the country in the backseat of an Ambassador. We the readers are taken on a journey filled with images common in daily life bringing comfort yet still some wonder of the unknown in the same photograph.But it's the Ambassador car which pulls the pictures together. In just sixty years of production, the Amby has effectively become one of the most iconic symbols of India. And it stars in some capacity in every shot. In one photograph, a Dutch church stands in the background, shot from the front seat where we can see the smudges of the windshield and wipers. But it's the rear view mirror which captures the sight of a classic white Amby, delivering the final element and juxtaposition with modern India. Or maybe it's the shot from the backseat where we see the door opened wide, window rolled down and a young woman, long curly black locks and inquisitive look wearing a gray sweatshirt that mystifies us. She wears no tilak, no sari or salwar kameez as she's hunched into the photograph in front of a horse drawn tonga and the moghal era Red Fort in the background.Singh delivers a brilliant book for anyone who has an affinity for India. Unfortunately this was his last project before death came in 1999, and testament of love for his country. This is a book that belongs on the shelf of anyone who has yearned to travel or has already visited India. A country that continues to evolve from, yet clings to, it's rich, colorful past.© 2010 [...] India Travel Blog

This was my first book of Singh photography, and honestly it was the worst photos I have ever seen, just a guy in a car taking snapshots on his way somewhere,I didn't like this book, but I am sure Singh has better pictures elsewhere do not buy this book , it's boring and there is nothing of substance, it was truly a waste of money.

Wonderful book. I am very happy to have achieved this great work of Ragubhir Singh. The shipment has been perfect and thank you very much!

Raghubir Singh's A Way into India is a wonderful documentary work (with some nice references to Lee Friedlander). Being photographer myself, I would without doubt recommend this book to any photography professional and enthusiast. The editing is a bit too simple though, the paper could be more precious, more related to the subject but it is not a big deal. It is definitely worth the price.

Great book. Quick delivery.

Attiré par les encadrements photographiques de Raghubir Singh lors sa traversée de l’Inde dans cette fameuse ”Ambassador” qui lui sert de fil conducteur (sans jeu de mots), cette citation de Luigi Ghirri (lue au Jeu de Paume) me parle : « C’est surtout dans les encadrements naturels que je suggère un geste : l’acte de photographier en tant que moment de connaissance. La photographie existe déjà dans le réel sous forme d’encadrements, de structures, de fenêtres, d’espaces dans lesquels l’intérieur et l’extérieur, l’ouvert et le fermé, se rejoignent. ».