From the riverbanks of Srinagar to the heart of Connaught Place, Mahatta & Co. has spent over seven decades capturing the soul of Delhi. Discover the incredible story of a four-generation legacy.

  • The Mahatta family business began in 1915 in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Connaught Place studio was established in 1948 following the Partition.
  • The studio has transitioned from glass plate negatives to Generative AI.
  • The family currently represents the fourth generation of photographers.

Nestled in the first floor of M Block, Connaught Place, lies 'Mahatta & Co.'—a sanctuary of memories that has survived the tides of time. While the studio in Delhi opened its doors in 1948, the family's photographic odyssey began much earlier, in 1915, amidst the scenic landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir.

From Srinagar Houseboats to Delhi's Heart

The story is one of resilience and adaptation. Founded by Amar Nath Mehta, the business initially operated from a houseboat on the Jhelum River in Srinagar. The family's influence expanded across Kashmir and into parts of present-day Pakistan. A fascinating linguistic quirk saw the family name 'Mehta' evolve into 'Mahatta' due to British mispronunciations. By 1921, they had secured a prestigious position as the regional sales agents for Kodak.

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The Partition of India forced a massive shift in their trajectory. After closing their outlets in Pakistan, the family relocated to the national capital, establishing their presence in Delhi in 1948. Since then, they have acted as unofficial historians, capturing everything from the vanishing public phone booths of CP to the devastating floods of 1970.

The Evolution of the Lens

The studio has witnessed the entire spectrum of photographic evolution: from heavy wooden cameras and glass plate negatives to slide films, digital sensors, and now, Generative Artificial Intelligence. Pavan Mehta, the grandson of the founder, maintains a staggering collection of nearly 900 vintage cameras, including rare pieces like the 'Expo Watch Camera' sourced from the US.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that institutions like Mahatta & Co. serve as vital cultural anchors. In an era of disposable digital imagery, these studios represent the 'slow photography' movement, where patience and timing were the primary tools of the craft.

Photography is about being at the right place at the right time; in the past, we had to construct the frame in our minds before the shot.
Did You Know?: Before the Partition, the Mehta family served as the official photographers to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did the name change from Mehta to Mahatta?
The name change occurred during the British era when colonial officials struggled to pronounce the original family name 'Mehta'.

2. Is the studio still operational?
Yes, the studio is currently being run by the fourth generation of the Mehta family.