“The flash light that Guram had presented to me is still giving out light reaching the other bank of the Mtkvari River… But the traces of his footsteps are no longer to be seen… Under dim light I am trying to find Guram's footprints but all in vain… A man's heart is definitely not like sand brought by the wind. It is more like a vessel storing inside everything until it gets carried away by floods ….. Even now when I recall my young friend, I bend my steps towards the Mtkvari and watch its flowing waves excitedly… Here is my “Saguramo”, and whenever I notice a deer on a sandy riverbank leaving its track on the sand, memories of Guram always come to my mind.”
From the Deer's Trace by Levan Gotua
This year in September, Guram Tikanadze would have turned
seventy…
There are people who are always in haste. They always
hurry but, most importantly, they manage to do everything in a relatively
short time. It is strange but frequently this rapidity carries a seal of
fatality, as if destiny hastens them to do as much as possible in their
youth. And it was under such an accelerated pace that Guram lived…
Nature endowed this young man, distinguished by his infinite
energy, versatile talents, crystal honesty and love for his homeland, with
an impressive appearance: “His figure resembled a specimen of art - a powerful
physique, with pure blue eyes on an elongated face, an antique nose and
soft skin, somewhat unexpected on the face of such a manly fellow,” writes
Sargis Tsaishvili. “The laughter bursting out from his heart would immediately
make you feel his moral purity. He had an infinite faith in men and he
always created an atmosphere of warmth and cordiality around him. Perhaps
that is why upon first acquaintance he immediately won confidence and sympathy.”
In his student years he became interested in boxing and
mountaineering and in 1952 he passed the first-class sport norms. In 1954
he became an instructor of mountaineering and tackled several difficult
ascents on the Caucasus and Pamirs. Mountains became an integral part of
his life, the subject of his love and his destiny. In an essay “Defeated
Giants” Guram Tikanadze writes: “People often ask us, mountaineers, why
we are so keen about mountains. We think such a question is out of place
and often leave it unaddressed. Now, for the sake of explanation I shall
resort to certain experiences. We don't talk with the mountains and don't
communicate our love in words. We know very well that here danger is waiting
for us under every stone and in every snowflake. Overhanging clouds spread
thunderstorms and snow over the mountain slopes and the burning sun alerts
the mountain ranges with falling stones and a multitude of avalanches.
There is constantly something new, there's always motion and cheerfulness.
We find a common language more with mountains and ice than with lowlands
and sea.”
They used to say that those who wanted to see strength,
beauty and courage should have watched Guram Tikanadze in the mountains
where, as distinct from others, he had to drag photo-cinema equipment (not
many people know what each additional gram means for a mountaineer) and
overcome additional complexities. He would leave the group behind or would
follow an unbeaten track or at times would risk his life for the sake of
a good shot. He never asked for a privilege.
He was in the seventh grade when he became interested
in photography and published his first shot “Christmas fair in Tbilisi”
in 1950 when he was still at school.
Later he debated whether he should follow the career of
a geologist, go in for press photography, or become a cameraman. “I am
amazed… I let everything go with the flow. I feel the stream will bring
me to photo reporting…”
In Georgia the art of photography has deeply rooted traditions.
Remarkable photographs of Alexandre Ermakov, Engel, Vittorio Sela, Alexandre
Roininshvili and others depicting the recent past of Georgia, today represent
an invaluable treasure, not only for the funds of the museums and archives
where they are kept, but also for every Georgian.
In the fifties, however, when Guram Tikanadze took an
interest in photography, this art form was in the background in our country.
Guram was one of the first who broke away and introduced a sharp topic
into the cadre. He turned the photography business into art, bringing it
close to painting. Along with the recording of actual events, Guram Tikanadze's
pictures have purely scientific, historical and ethnographic implications.
This is an artistically depicted photo-chronicle of Georgia of the fifties
and sixties, with its people. “It seemed as if he was looking at the world
with three eyes but all three were focused on one thing. And this was his
homeland and his people,” writes Kote Javakhishvili.
From the fifties onwards Guram Tikanadze regularly published
his pictures in the republican, union and foreign press. He took part in
photography contests and exhibitions held at various times. “You are a
real poet. I am so sorry that I had no opportunity of knowing you earlier,”
a Czech writer said after one of the exhibitions and perhaps that is why
Georgian, German, Czech, Polish and Italian magazines and newspapers selected
him as their reporter.
“But, your greatest and kindest gift was the skill and
perception of friendship,” says Levan Gotua. “You were born for friendship
and that is why being a single child you had a great many friends and brothers.”
It was the gift of infinite love that he gave out so generously. His contemporaries
note a rare skill of his: the ability easily to become a close friend of
people, to take their joys or misfortunes close to his heart, sympathize
and lend a helping hand whenever he was able to do so and support a good
cause.
Very often people have amazing premonitions. We know several
artists who have predicted their own death. Such is Guram's picture: “Falling
from the Ailama Ridge”, as well as the last entry made by him in his notebook
in 1961: “Jumber, Kukho and Iliko, It's something terrible! Mountaineering
is impossible without sacrifice…”
He perished on August 27, 1963 when descending the mountain
Shkhara…
At exhibitions, in the press and other publications we
often come across Guram Tikanadze's pictures, which have become classics
of photography. Today they are as relevant as they were 40 years ago.
It is a long time since unknown pictures from his album
have been published…
This year on September 12 Guram Tikanadze would have turned
seventy…