First of all I have to say that she was a great human being apart from being a good photographer. She came at a time when women weren’t seen in a profession like journalism. It was a tough profession and physically demanding.
Photography in those days when Homai had just begun her career wasn’t very easy to take to. It required a lot of effort and the strength to get a good picture irrespective of being pushed in a mad crowd or standing over a rooftop.
Homai’s entry at that time was commendable. She came in at a time when history was being made. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad and many other leaders were some exceptional people who were present at that time with unique and powerful personalities, and were interesting to capture. Homai did get some good pictures, but what I really admire about her is her gentle and courteous demeanour. She was helpful and a nice human being. I never saw her behave arrogantly even after being a senior in the profession. I would appreciate a genuine human being than a great and haughty photographer. Homai was friendly and nice, which is why she might have struck a chord with many.
Most of her pictures were simple and straightforward and interesting captures. Her images captured the spirit of people very well. To be honest, I would credit Homai for being a fine human being than a photographer. She was committed to her profession. In fact, I can imagine that how she would have worked with the medium format camera, which is extremely difficult to handle. She wasn’t the aggressive kind, who would get arrogant about her work. Her humility and candid behaviour would always stay with everyone. I met her at an event in 2011 and hugged her warmly, and congratulated her. She was still the same and I was happy to see that she remained like what she was.
As told to Ipsitaa Panigrahi