A photo exhibition titled ‘Dilip Tirkey: Beyond the Sport,’ by noted photojournalist Shamim Qureshy was inaugurated at the Kalinga art gallery in the state museum campus in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, Government of Odisha and Padmashree Dilip Tirkey, president, Hockey India, on the eve of his birthday.
“I have known the most loved sports icon of Odisha, Dilip Tirkey for more than two decades. As the young ADM of the steel city Rourkela, I had met Dilip when he’d just returned from the Sydney Olympics. Since then, I’ve seen his inspirational journey in hockey, and now in sports administration, and always felt elevated with pride on his success. Dilip’s humility as a person has always impressed me about the legend,” said Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, Government of Odisha.
The week-long exhibition showcases close to 50 exclusive photographs of hockey hero Dilip Tirkey in settings beyond the sport. From rare images of the hockey hero in the cockpit of the Suryakiran aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Dilip on a shopping spree and his young fans, family and friends; the exhibition gives a slice of some of the rare moments in the legend’s life.
“I am delighted to be a part of the photo exhibition which celebrates my journey. My association with Shamim ji has been a long one, and these photographs captured by him are a testament of our bond. These photographs have brought back a lot of beautiful memories from both on and off the field. I wish the exhibition all the success and urge all the hockey fans to visit,” said Padmashree Tirkey.
Shamim Qureshy is a noted photojournalist of Odisha and has close to three decades of experience in the field. He has a passion for covering sports, especially hockey and has covered two hockey world cups, Hockey Champions trophy and Pro league matches among others.
“It is an absolute delight for me that my first solo photo exhibition is dedicated to Dilip Tirkey, a sports icon who is the pride of not only our state but our country India. He is known as one of the world’s best defenders and this is my tribute to Dilip, who has brought so much laurels for our country. Through this exhibition, I hope the hockey fans will get to see a different side of Dilip and relive his memorable moments,” said Mr. Shamim Qureshy.
The exhibition will remain open for the public from 11am to 5:30pm till November 30, 2023 (except on museum holidays).