M N Jayakumar IFS,FRPS,MFIAP
Following a lifelong passion in the protection of wildlife and the conservation of natural resources, MN Jayakumar has established himself as one of India’s leading nature photographers and one among the few forest officials to take up nature photography. Born in Mysore (Karnataka, India) in 1952, it was no surprise that MN Jayakumar’s career would veer towards this cause when he graduated from the College of Agriculture, Hebbal (Bangalore, India) in 1972 and secured the 2nd rank with 2 gold medals. He was selected for the Forest Service and secured the 1st rank with Honours at the Indian Forest College, Dehradun (Now Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy).
Nature photography happened by pure chance after a colleague remarked that he was wasting the opportunities offered to him by his profession as a forest officer. Having started wildlife photography as a hobby in 1993, he has had the privilege of traveling extensively across various National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India and abroad, capturing the essence of nature through his camera. The years of experience he has accumulated in observing wildlife in their natural habitat, have led to some pri c e le s s image s support ed by inc redible s tori e s . MN Jayakumar has won numerous awards and Certificates of Merit in National and International photography salons. His photographs have been displayed across exhibitions in India, England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Australia, Scotland, USA and South Africa. Select images have also been published in newspapers, magazines and books of National and International repute. M.N.Jayakumar retired from service as the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka.
Having worked in the forest service for 37 years, he is a true advocate of wildlife protection and conservation of natural resources. His wife, Asha, is also an accomplished Nature and Wildlife Photographer and has the International distinctions of ARPS and AFIAP. M.N. Jayakumar and Asha Jayakumar are perhaps the first couple in India to have both ARPS and AFIAP distinctions. They have 2 children who share his love and passion for nature photography and conservation.
Milestones and Achievements:
1994: Awarded the ARPS (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society, England)
1998: Awarded the AFIAP (Artiste of the Federation Internationale De Lart Photographique) an affiliate of UNESCO. Held a one-man show of Wildlife Photographs at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi commemorating 25 years of Project Tiger.
2001: Co-authored a highly acclaimed Coffee Table book with Sri. T N A Perumal showcasing the biodiversity of Karnataka entitled “Encounters in the Forest".
2002: Awarded the EFIAP (Excellence in the FIAP) – an affiliate of UNESCO Member of the Indian Team that won the Gold Medal (Nature Prints) and Bronze Medal (Nature Slides) in the World Cup Competition for Nature Photography.
2008: Held a one man show of Wildlife Photographs in June 2008 at Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, India and again in September / October 2008 at Kalamandir, Mysore, India which was attended by several thousand visitors. Member of the Indian Team that won Silver Medal in Nature Prints Section in the World Cup Competition for Nature Photography, held at Spain conducted by the International Federation of Photographic Art.
2009: Awarded the FRPS (Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society, England) for a set of 20 images, depicting the behaviour of Indian Mammals and Birds. He is the only Forest Officer from India to be awarded the Fellowship and this distinction comes to an Indian after 18 years. Milestones and Achievements:
2010: Awarded the MFIAP (Master in the FIAP) by the International Federation of Photographic Art, a body affiliated to UNESCO for a set of 20 images “Spectacular Indian Birds". MFIAP is being awarded since 1980 by FIAP and so far only 4 Indians have received FRPS and MFIAP for Nature photography and after a gap of 21 years, these twin-distinctions have been awarded to an Indian. He was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the nature photography World Cup 2010 that is organized every 2 years by International Federation of Photographic Art, a body affiliated with UNESCO. India hosted the World Cup for the first time ever in Bangalore in October 2010.
2012: Brought out a highly acclaimed coffee table book on Indian Wildlife titled “ LIFE IN THE JUNGLE “ showcasing the wonderful Biodiversity of India jungles with more than 240 high quality Images shot in 25 National Parks and Sanctuaries of the Indian Sub-continent
2014: Buoyed by the success of the 2010 Nature Photography World Cup held in Bangalore, The International Federation of Photographic Art requested India to host the World Cup in Nature Photography again in 2014. It was held again in Bangalore under the Chairmanship of M N Jayakumar
2018: Held a one man show of birds entitled “ BIRDS AS ART “ in the Sublime Galleria, U B City, Bangalore. This was organized to create awareness about migrations of birds and providing protection to them during the process.
2023: Held a highly successful and well attended one man show of wildlife photographs entitled “ ENCOUNTERS IN THE WILD 2.0 “ from 28th September to 8th October at the Chitrakala Parishath to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Project Tiger and celebrating global biodiversity by displaying images taken across India, SE Asia, Africa and the Americas.
