There are individuals who quietly enter your life and seamlessly become akin to family. Jhuma Datta exemplifies this connection for me—she is an elder sister, a kindred spirit, and one of the most remarkably unique individuals I have had the pleasure to know. This special bond is thanks to my dear friend and brother, Justice Arijit Banerjee of the Calcutta High Court, whose ability to bring together wonderful people is a gift I cherish deeply.
Our friendship has endured the test of time, expanding from Kolkata to Mumbai, where I shared cherished moments with Jhuma while her husband, Justice Dipankar Datta, served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. Our paths have now led us to Delhi, where he continues his judicial journey as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. Throughout these transitions, Jhuma has remained true to herself, wielding a camera with her unique artistic identity, distinct from the esteemed legal sphere of her family.
As an art lawyer, I am continuously surrounded by beautiful art, yet few experiences compare to walking through an exhibition alongside Jhuma. Her perception is deliberate and profound; she doesn’t just view an image, she interprets it. Each gallery visit with her is an enlightening masterclass. Since 2008, Jhuma has been crafting her photographic narrative, with her work featured in international exhibitions and galleries, including five solo shows across India. However, accolades alone cannot encapsulate the dedication that fuels each of her images.
Jhuma ventures to the world’s most remote and challenging landscapes—from the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, the glacial lakes of the Dolomites in Italy, to the high-altitude valleys of Ladakh. She braves weeks of harsh cold, demanding terrains, and relentless uncertainty. Her pursuit of the perfect light often involves nights spent in the wilderness, driven by a passion to capture that singular, unrepeatable frame.
Her background as a painter, skilled in watercolor and acrylic on canvas, enriches her photography with a unique quality. Her images transcend typical photographs, resembling scenes perceived through an artist’s lens. Renowned publications such as National Geographic Traveller, Better Photography, and India Today have recognized her work. In 2025, she was honored with the prestigious Swadesh Samman Award—a tribute that felt long overdue.
Recently, Jhuma’s sixth solo exhibition, Prakriti Raga: A Melody of Nature, was inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justice Vikram Nath, Justice PS Narasimha, Justice KV Viswanathan, a former Vice-President of India, and other distinguished guests. The exhibition is currently open at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, until May 24. I highly recommend visiting. These are not just photographs; they are a dedicated woman’s hard-won vistas into places few will ever see, captured for us to witness. You will leave with a refreshed view of the world.
I take immense pride in calling her my didi.
