Where Three Dreams Cross: 150 years of photography from India , Pakistan and Bangladesh @ Whitechapel Gallery : 21 January - 11 April 21|01|10

Where Three Dreams Cross is an extremely intriguing photographic exhibition,  poignantly housed at the Whitechapel Gallery. It maps the the British rule of United India pre 1947, with imperial photo's of Maharajas posing in their finery consisting of royal turbans intertwined with the regal vests that reflect the influence of the British Monarchy. These kinds of photo sit along side the traditional studio family photos that were so prolific during those times, with a kind of Spencer Tracey sharp suit classic look, were particularly charming.

No exhibition of this nature would be complete without the fathers of the three nations being documented. Iconic images such as Mahatma Ghandi leaving a train, Nehru with the young Indira, shaping the constitution and creating the strongest dynasty in living memory. Jinnah in his sharp suit reflective of British finery, and then in 1971 the charismatic Sheik Mujib of Bangladesh addressing a mass audience.

Surprisingly, the photo's that most catch the imagination are of ordinary people doing ordinary things, that in a gallery setting look extraordinary and capture the energy and innocence of people.

Where Three Dreams Cross is a great exhibition for many reasons, but none more so then to show that in a city like London there are people are celebrating their common ancestry and heritage through the medium of film, whereas back in SE Asia they seem to have forgotten that they have more common roots than differences.

Reviewed by Del Hossain