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Chandra Bodalia
Image of Giving
by Michelle Hopkins
The sun is shining down on a grinning
little boy licking his ice cream, which is
dripping down his chin. In another photo,
sitar legend Ravi Shankar looks regal as he
stands, arms crossed, in thoughtful contemplation.
In yet another shot, former United States
president Bill Clinton smiles broadly as
he looks right into the lens of Chandra
Bodalia’s camera.
These photographs are among nearly
three million images that Bodalia has captured
over the last three decades. “I typically take 5,000 pictures a week,”
says the 60-year-old Bodalia.
Whether it’s a little one’s first birthday,
a 50th wedding anniversary, family reunion
or a fundraiser such as the Diwali Festival,
Bodalia can be found lugging his beloved
camera to take snapshots that become lasting
memories.
From photographing B.C.’s Attorney
General Wally Oppal, to television anchor
Pamela Martin, to freeze-framing the sweat
dripping off a kabbaddi player, Bodalia has
proven his talent for capturing the moment
beautifully.
Even more astonishing is that he does this
completely free of charge. In fact, Bodalia
has spent tens of thousands of his own
money to support his volunteerism.
When asked why he does it, Bodalia
shrugs: “All of my life, I want to help my
community in any way I can. Since I love
photography, it makes sense to give back
this way.”
This past April, Bodalia was honoured
with a Seva Award for “his dedication to
championing people through his photography.”
After accepting his plaque at the Vaisakhi Gala, Bodalia found himself
on the other side of the lens, posing with
Premier Gordon Campbell and Surrey
Mayor Dianne Watts.
Another proud moment for him came
in 1996 when he received the Gujarati
Society of B.C. award for inspiring future
generations and for outstanding selfless
contributions and dedication.
After a little prompting, Bodalia admits
he has received more than 20 awards over
the years from the Sunset Indo-Canadian
Seniors Society Vancouver for “valuable
service.”
As he flips through some 70 of his
photographs, he appears to be transported
through time. “I took this photograph
of NDP leader Carole James when she
was campaigning in Surrey and shaking
hands with her constituents,” he says. “I
took this shot of the VPD chief of police,
Jim Chu, when he was giving a press
conference.”
Over the years, Bodalia has been given
unprecedented access to many local and
international dignitaries and celebrities,
as well to many political functions.
“I photographed the opening of the
Richmond Oval and that was exciting,”
he says. “I attend hundreds of political,
religious and festive events every year. My
phone sometimes doesn’t stop ringing.”
His donated photographs can be seen
regularly in local South Asian newspapers.
Bodalia likes to focus on capturing volunteers “performing good deeds around
the South Asian community. That way,
people can see the many good things our
people are doing to make the community
a better place for everyone.”
His interest in photography took root
soon after he graduated from college in
his native Gujarat. After earning three
diplomas, in commerce, painting and
sculpture, Bodalia landed a job as an
advertising photographer for The Gujarat
Samachar, a local newspaper.
“At that time, I travelled all over India
photographing temples,” he says.
When he was in his late 20s, his future
bride sponsored him to B.C. and Bodalia
immigrated to Canada in 1976.“When I came to B.C., I began to
volunteer for the Vishva Hindu Parishad
temple as its photographer and editor of
their magazine,” he says.
“Later, I started photographing
Bollywood stars for the local papers when
they came to town,” says Bodalia. “I still
do that today; I’m considered the official
photographer for Bollywood stars.”
As he packs up his precious images,
Bodalia says he’s on his way to Surrey
to yet another photo assignment. “I’m
heading to a fundraiser for cancer,” he
says. “Whatever fundraiser people ask
me to photograph, I will always try to
accommodate them. This is my hobby
that has taken on a life of its own. This is
my work. This is my passion.”
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