PTI
 
Mumbai, Jan 25: Osian’s-Connoisseurs of Art Pvt Ltd, one of the leading arts and cultural institution, has successfully acquired a collection of 45 rare, original silver print photographs of the last few days in the life of Mahatma Gandhi for Rs 68 lakh.

The pictures were taken by internationally renowned photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson and were purchased from a private dealer in London.

This is the first time that such an extensive collection of Cartier-Bresson's work has been purchased in India by a private Indian art institution. A smaller collection is housed at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.

Osian's Chairman Neville Tuli said Gandhiji and his principles have been a pivotal part of the Osian's archive, in many forms.

"These photographs complement our recent acquisition of more than 4000 books on India's struggle for independence and other political texts. The depiction of Gandhiji through various media, from painting to calendar art to toys to photography, will only add to the sharing of his idealism with our people," he said.