Some artists don’t merely capture light; they distill the essence of existence, revealing truths hidden in plain sight. Sham Manchekar was one such visionary, an internationally acclaimed photographer whose lens transcended the ordinary, transforming fleeting moments into timeless narratives. Renowned particularly as a master Pictorial photographer, his work was a profound testament to the grandeur of nature, the quiet dignity of life, and the vibrant spirit he found in every frame.
Sham’s journey was as remarkable as his photographs. After completing his formal education and Elementary and Intermediate Drawing exams, at his native place, Manche in Sindhudurg, he came to Mumbai in 1960. Beginning his career as a clerk at LIC, in the city of Bombay, his inherent passion for photography propelled him towards a path of artistic excellence. This dedication culminated in international accolades and significant contributions to the photographic community, including serving as the President of Photographic Society of India (PSI), Mumbai, 2005-2006.
He started his photographic career by taking part in a photographic contest through PSI in 1980. His distinct eye and ability to evoke emotion through his compositions earned him widespread recognition.
| Year | Category | Recognition / Achievement | Details / Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Awards | 1st prize in Colour Slide Competition | Photographic Society of India, Mumbai |
| 1982 | Awards | Photographer of the year 1982 | Photographic Society of India, Mumbai |
| 1982 | Awards | The Noshir S. Bamboat Memorial Shield for the picture of the year | Photographic Society of India, Mumbai |
| 1982 | Awards | 1st prize in Colour Slide Competition | Photographic Society of India, Mumbai |
| 1982 | Awards | Recognised as 1 star Photographer | Federation of Indian Photography, Bangalore |
Till then, more than 50 photographs of Sham were displayed in different all India Photography Exhibitions.
| Year | Exhibition / Organization | Exhibit / Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 20th International Salon of Photography of China, Taiwan | Home bound |
| 1982 | Mississippi Valley Salon of Photography | Home bound |
| 1982 | North West International Exhibition, Puyallup Fair, Washington | Life, The Game of Balance Untouchable Sat for the halt |
| 1982 | 6th PSMP International Salon of Pictorial Photography, Bhopal | Life, the Game of Balance |
| 1982 | 1st Aakriti International Salon of Pictorial Photography Vidisha | Life, The Game of Balance Untouchable |
| 1983 | Federation of Indian Photography, Bangalore | Photographer of the year & Best Photograph of the year awards |
In February 1984, Sham took the membership of Photographic Society of America (PSA) and in the very next month Sham was awarded for the ‘Print of the Month’ and an “Honourable mention” for his two pictures entitled ‘Life, the game of balance’ and ‘Home bound’. This was a fabulous start for Sham in his first photography contest ’61- Advanced B&W section’ held by PSA for the period of six months from March 1984 to August 1984. At the end of the contest, Sham had the highest score of 75 points which was more by 1/3rd points of second runner up in B&W section. Sham bagged the Chairman’s Trophy of 1984 in all the sections of B&W from Photographic Society of America. He earned widespread recognition and many congratulatory messages from across the photography community.
Soon after this success, he got Honourable mention in Santa Clara Valley, California International Exhibition, 1984.
| Year | Category | Exhibition / Achievement | Venue / Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Medal | Bronze Medal (24th International Photographic Exhibition) | Republic of China, Taiwan |
| 1986 | Exhibition | Group show | Artists Centre, Mumbai |
| 1986 | International Honour | ‘Artiste FIAP’ | Federation International Del’ Art Photographiq, Belgium (UNESCO) |
| 1987 | Recognition | Awarded Merit & Recognised as Two star Exhibitor | Federation of Indian Photography |
| 1988 | One Man Show | Land and Water | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 1990 | One Man Show | Autographs | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 1998 | One Man Show | Moss-scapes | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 2000 | One Man Show | Letting go… | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 2000 | International Honour | Invited Attendee: “World Photographers Focussing on Beijing” | People’s Republic of China |
| 2001 | One Man Show | Abstract | Artist Centre, Kala Ghoda |
| 2001 | Joint Show | Impressions: Beijing (Joint show with Fouzan Hussain, journalist) | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 2003 | One Man Show | Bhandara | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 2003 | One Man Show | Beliefs | Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery |
| 2005 | One Man Show | Ladakhscapes | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
| 2011 | One Man Show | Tree’ppreciation | Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Mumbai |
When he began exhibiting his photographs as fine art, he received widespread appreciation from both art lovers, press journalists and art critics. He never overlooked or ignored viewer’s reviews, press coverage, or critical feedback. Instead, he carefully used these suggestions to refine his exhibition displays, ultimately earning a reputation as a perfectionist.
Immediately after this honour, he earned Nomination – Humanity Photo Award at Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 2002.
A Journey of Creative Expression
After earning numerous accolades in the field, Sham transitioned into deep thematic exploration. He often shared his philosophy on the craft:
“I find true happiness in the very process of photography. I create visuals and share this joy with my viewers through exhibitions.”
At a time when photography was still an emerging art form in India, Sham refused to keep his knowledge to himself. He actively nurtured the creative community through several initiatives:
- Educational Outreach: Delivered engaging lectures, hosted immersive slide shows, and led insightful conversations across various institutions within and outside Bombay. For the working class, he delivered evening lectures on photography. With innovative ideas, instead of a monotonous office environment, he held these lectures in beautiful gardens like Horniman Circle, Bombay. He also spoke on colours for architects.
- Prestigious Judging: Served as a respected judge for numerous prestigious photography groups.
- Academic Foundations: Established a fresh photography course in Saint Francis Technical School, Borivali, Bombay, and also set up a photography darkroom for these students. He taught at Symbiosis Institute, Pune, and crafted exclusive, detailed instructional notes specifically to elevate his lectures and guide future generations.
- Mentorship: Taught newcomers the “art of seeing” rather than just focusing on the technical mechanics of the camera or printing and rules of composition.
About The Art of Seeing in his words:
“It has been said that a really good photographer can make a picture with a pin-hole camera, currently, a good photographer can make a good image of anything that he can see. But seeing requires an eye (third eye). One has to ‘see’ the picture before shutter is released, not everyone sees the subject in the same way, and not everyone can see the picture. But most people can learn to ‘see’ through training and experience. It is slow process that has its own reward.
The point on ‘seeing’ is well illustrated when we came upon an interesting subject on a field trip or tour. The immediate reaction is to make several exposures on the spot. But it is for better to pause and examine the subject from different points of view or angles and to walk around it or at least to view it over 180 degrees. Observe the lighting as you change the positions, observe the foreground and the composition.”
Sham Manchekar’s artistic journey was one of constant evolution, where the seeds of every exhibition were rooted in his thoughtful living. After his Tree’ppreciation showcase in 2011, he stepped away from public exhibitions. He continued mentoring the coming generations of creatives. Also, he worked with prominent architects, capturing their architectural projects to showcase in their portfolios.
Reflecting on his journey, Sham emerged as an intelligent and sensitive individual who transformed life lessons into wisdom. Rather than becoming bitter by the harsh struggles of his early years, he chose to live by the words of Swamy Vivekanand: “Life is short, give it to a great cause.” We learn that once he established himself in Mumbai and secured his basic needs, Sham turned his lifelong inclination towards the arts into a definitive pursuit, choosing photography as the ultimate medium for his artistic vision.
Sham spent his remaining years with simplicity and with a profound sense of gratitude, quietly observing the nature around him. Today, his remarkable legacy continues to inspire photographers worldwide, offering a timeless reminder to find perfect balance in everything we do, true to his most celebrated work: Life, The Game of Balance.
Credits: Mrs Geeta Sham Manchekar
This article is a tribute from PSI to Late Sham Manchekar on his 2nd remembrance day 15 June 2026 for his contribution to the art of Photography and the photography fraternity.
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