I am a photographer from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. My rendezvous with the camera began at a very young age; when my father bought an imported camera, and I was occasionally allowed to play with it. The very idea of giving fleeting moments permanence, gave me a strange kind of high and jubilation. Growing up in a city that is world famous for its spirituality, vibrance, diversity and colour; I constantly found myself being pulled towards people and places in its multi ethnicity and diversity. All this inspired me to venture into the field of photography. My journey as a photographer is very new and ongoing. India as a country is a mini world in itself. It is a heavenly abode for the photographers who wish to capture diversity in its grassroots essence. This inspired me to venture into portrait and street photography. I also love to play with lights and shadows.
Being an ardent observer and admirer of naturalness; the different aspects of life intrigues me. More than perfections I find myself being drawn towards flaws. To me natural flaws are way more appealing than artificial perfections. But what attracts me most are people; in their varied experiences and expressions. There are billions of people walking on the earth at any given time; yet it is impossible to find two faces, experiences and expressions similar. To me every face and every life story appears like a small world onto itself. I am constantly propelled to give this impermanent, little world of people, some permanence. This very idea pulls me deeper and deeper into the the complex, mystifying world of people. I love to personally relate to each person; before capturing their face through my lens.
What appeals to me is not only the periphery or the external appearances; but the very roots that are the foundation of the manifested forms. In every ruin, I crave to explore the beautiful structure that once stood. In every wrinkle, I wish to see the youth that was once there. In every cloudy eyes, I strive to capture the sparkle that once thrived. In every bend, broken form I long to reach to the strength that once existed and is burdened by the journey of the life. This desire to capture the hidden along with the apparent; the invisible along with the visible, propells and inspires me to know and relate to each and every frame and face at deeper, intimate levels. The more I venture into the world of people; the more it pulls me towards its core. The one conclusion that I can derive from my journey as a photographer till date is that inspite of varied differences in every face, form and life story; there is an innate oneness and sameness in every human being that asserts in the deeper recesses of our beings. This beautiful similarity that makes us human and humane. I consider myself as an ever learning and aspiring student of life itself. Deeply inspired by this journey called life, I look forward to give more meaning, aliveness and permanence to it; through my lens.