Long before the monumental Idukki dam transformed Kerala’s power landscape, a single, powerful photograph proved to be the key to its very existence. This remarkable image, captured by the talented M.J. Philip, a native of Thodupuzha, served as undeniable evidence of the project’s viability, presented to the erstwhile Travancore government by W.J. John, then superintendent of Malankara Estate.
Today, the very camera that documented this crucial moment rests silently at Loyal Studio in Thodupuzha, a profound witness to history.
Nikhil Jose, photographer and grandson of M.J. Philip, proudly holds the historic field camera that captured the iconic visuals of the Idukki dam.
Nikhil Jose, M.J. Philip’s grandson and a photographer himself, recounts the tale: “John, an avid hunter, was a frequent visitor to Loyal Studio. One day, he and my grandfather embarked on a bullock cart journey into the hills. There, Philip immortalized the sight of water cascading through the Periyar River, nestled between the majestic Kuravan and Kurathi hills. This very picture became the cornerstone of John’s project report to the government.”
Jose further explains, “My grandfather acquired this camera from Germany. He painstakingly documented various stages of the Idukki dam’s construction, and these precious photographs remain a cherished treasure within our studio.”
A rare glimpse of the Idukki dam under construction, a moment forever preserved by Thodupuzha native M.J. Philip.
Philip’s lens also captured the visage of Chemban Karuvellyan Kolumban, the tribal chief whose invaluable knowledge was instrumental in making the Idukki dam a reality. M.J. Philip passed away on May 26, 1988, leaving behind a legacy carried on by his son, M.P. Jose, who also became a photographer.
Loyal Studio continues to be a repository of photographic history, safeguarding an array of antique cameras, negatives, and prints. “These artifacts offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of photography,” Jose notes. “Many visitors flock to our studio, eager to admire these vintage cameras and photographs.”
Indeed, it was Kolumban who, during a hunting expedition with John and his friend A.C. Thomas, first pointed out the potential of the area where the Periyar flowed between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. Inspired by this insight, John submitted his proposal to the Travancore administration, thereby laying the groundwork for what would become Asia’s largest arch dam.
Following India’s Independence, the Central government requested a detailed plan, leading to the commencement of construction in 1963 with crucial support from the Canadian government. This Indo-Canadian collaborative project was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on February 17, 1976, marking a new era for Kerala’s development.