Jhat-Pat growing in Doon in digital age!

rajugusain

Jhat-Pat growing in Doon in digital age!

Raju Gusain
Dehra Dun

The ‘Jhat-Pat’ road side photo shops here are giving stiff competition to digital studios. In fact, the number of such photography kiosks has increased in recent years.
Though most of the photo-studios provide facilities for instant snaps, the old pin-hole cameras continue to prove their utility and gaining popularity. The number of ‘Jhat-Pat’ shops was just two some ten years back but now has increased to twelve.
Fakir Chand is 75 and is the oldest photographer in this field. He has over 60 years of experience of handling the pin-hole camera and claims that his brother late Ram Dutt was the first person to start this in Dehra Dun.
Commenting on the change, he says,”Now the use of photographs has increased in every field. Right from the Ration card to examination forms, you require photographs. Because of the wide use of photographs we too are doing fine business these days, as compared to the past.”
Incidentally, all the ‘Jhat-Pat’ shops are located around the Darshan Lal Chowk in the state capital. On their existence in the digital age Rajesh Goyal, owner of a hi-tech photo studio, opines,” These kiosks continues to survive because of being economical and offering good service to customers.”
He also admitted that some people who fear that digital studios would charge high for the services go for these easy options available on the road-side.
The package is certainly a temptation and a ‘Jhat-Pat’ charge Rs.10/12 for four black and white passport size photographs. Where as, the instant photo offer of the latest studios is around Rs.25 for the same.
Pyush Sharma requires a photo for the registry of land. He gets ready for the photograph by praising this set up,” This technology is handy even in these modern times.”
So, right from a man owning a swanky car to a daily wage laborer its services are used by all. It is the ultimate choice for those who require photographs in an emergency.
Even the setting up of a ‘Jhat-Pat’ studio is not that expensive and the whole set-up, including camera, chair, etc, costs around six thousand rupees.
The pin-hole studio owners are not at all intimidated by the digital cameras that have made photography child’s play. On this, another photo kiosk owner, Kuldeep Kumar pointed out,” We take five minutes to deliver a photograph. Ours is a totally different technology and we will continue to flourish”
The day generally starts at 8 AM and ends at 6 Pm (depending upon the sunlight) for these studios of the common man. During the rainy season, many times they are forced to pack up. But, once the weather clears it is again time for…’Smile Please’..’CLICK’…and ‘thank you’.

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haven't seen a pin-hole camera in ages -- last time in Indonesia, I think. Next time in 'Doon will have to take a tonga to my nearest jhat-pat!

and 'thank you'