Our Family Pic in 1954

It's wonderful to record about the significance of this family photo taken by a professional photographer in Shimla arranged through S Inderjit Singh Chacha ji. This is the time my Dad took us to Shimla during summer vacations to reunite with his brothers family.

Family pictures hold a special place as they capture moments frozen in time, reflecting the history and relationships within a family. Preserving them is indeed an art, involving careful attention to storage, handling, and restoration techniques to ensure these visual stories endure for generations to come.

In Chhota Shimla

This photograph became one of the cherished treasures, encapsulating meaningful moments and connections. We however accepted only the ‘proof copy’ of this photograph, as Prem Chachi ji did not approve it. We paid Rs 10/-, and got this only copy. 

The mustard color background, with dark blue checkered thick double sheet of fine quality(Khes), an ornamental piece from Multan, was spread in front where we the kids squatted down to give perfect balance to the photo.

I also recall, Chachi ji’s youngest brother Arjan Khanna (Boney) was visiting his sister from Sanjoli and was a witness to the photo shoot in progress.

This particular photo has endured through time and distance of thousands of miles. It highlights its importance and the emotional connection our family has. It truly emphasizes the value of preserving these visual records of family history.

Such photo records gain even more historical and emotional significance when placed in the context of the partition of India and the subsequent struggles and hardships faced by families. It reflects the resilience and strength of our family, who managed to rebuild their lives and establish themselves in new places despite the challenges they encountered. My Dad family settled in Panipat with a Rationing Inspector job with Punjab Government,  while Chacha ji settled down in Shimla having a clerical job with Financial Commisioners of Punjab Government.

By safeguarding these images, we honor our heritage and allow future members of the family to connect with their roots and understand their shared history.