Award-Winning Images

Award-winning images, a few glimpses...

Title: 'Affection'

Artist's Statement:

In a heartwarming display of interspecies affection, a baby elephant at an elephant camp in Karnataka forms a bond of trust and love with its caregiver. The tender moment is captured as the elephant gently wraps its trunk around the caregiver's hand, symbolizing a gesture of deep connection and affection. Amidst the serene surroundings of the elephant camp, this touching interaction between human and elephant underscores the inherent capacity for empathy and understanding that transcends species boundaries, fostering an emotional bond rooted in mutual respect and care.

Title: 'Veneration'

Artist's Statement:

A powerful portrait features an elderly woman from the Ramnami Tribe, her body adorned with tattoos of Lord Rama’s name, a mark of deep devotion. Based in Chhattisgarh, India, the Ramnamis began this practice as spiritual resistance after being barred from temples due to caste discrimination. By inscribing Lord Rama’s name on their bodies, they transformed themselves into living temples. Despite enduring social marginalization, the community has upheld this tradition for generations, embodying resilience, cultural pride, and unwavering faith in their spiritual beliefs.

Title: 'Existence'

Artist's Statement:

This image explores the dynamic convergence as the lady engages with the mystic surroundings in poetic motion. This image is a metaphorical representation of embracing the challenges we face in life and encapsulates a unique posture, highlighting the interplay between movement, form, and the ethereal atmosphere, symbolizing the ever-changing nature of beauty and self-expression, which signifies transformation, liberation, and the ephemeral nature of existence.

Title: 'Dyeing Silk Yarns'

Artist's Statement:

In the sweltering heat of a dyeing workshop, two aged artisans immerse silk yarn into vibrant hues, their weathered hands skillfully blending tradition with experience. Decades of dedication reflect in their precise movements, ensuring the perfect shade is achieved. Despite their age, they continue to refine their craft, embodying the essence of lifelong learning. Every thread they dye carries a legacy of patience and mastery, passing knowledge through generations. The humid room, filled with steam and color, becomes their classroom—a testament to the never-ending journey of growth, resilience, and passion for craftsmanship, proving that learning never truly ends.

Title: 'Circle of Life'

Artist's Statement:

In this raw and captivating habitat shot, the stark reality of the desert's unforgiving nature is exposed as a desert cat stands proudly beside its recent kill, a chinkara fawn. Blood stains its fur, and the cat's tongue, visible as it licks the blood, adds a chilling touch to the scene. The lifeless form of the fawn, its head caught between branches with two legs touching the ground, serves as a reminder of the circle of life in the harsh desert ecosystem. This image, while evoking a sense of awe for the resilience and survival instincts of desert wildlife, also highlights the delicate balance between predator and prey in the arid wilderness.

Title: 'Spiritual Sparkle'

Artist's Statement:

The image captures a devotee in a trance during the Kulasai Dussehra festival, standing before Goddess Durga, praying fervently for blessings. Surrounded by others holding pots with burning coal and visible flames, the scene reflects intense devotion and spiritual fervor amidst the scorching summer heat, embodying the festival's fiery and unwavering faith.

Title: 'Holi, the Festival of Colors'

Artist's Statement:

The image captures the Holi festival at Barsana, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, where people from all walks of life immerse themselves in vibrant hues of joy. Clouds of dry colors, splashes of colored water, and showers of flower petals create a mesmerizing spectacle of unity and festivity. The celebration embodies the joy of festivity, colors flowing through the air and hearts, weaving connections across divides. The rhythm of laughter, music, and dance symbolizes progress, reminding us that harmony emerges when differences dissolve. This flowing energy of Holi reflects the timeless rhythm of life, renewal, and togetherness in a celebration of spirit and culture.

Title: 'Faces of Gajon Festival'

Artist's Statement:

In this vibrant image capturing the essence of the Gajon festival in West Bengal, faces adorned with intricate paint tell a story of cultural celebration and spiritual significance. The Gajon festival, deeply rooted in local traditions, is a colorful spectacle where communities unite to honor Lord Shiva. The face-painted portraits reflect not only the joyous spirit of the festival but also serve as a visual representation of devotion and cultural pride. Each stroke of paint carries symbolic meaning, and the intricate designs are a testament to the rich heritage of West Bengal. As the participants engage in the festivities, their painted faces become living canvases, embodying a collective expression of spirituality, tradition, and communal harmony that defines the cultural tapestry of the Gajon festival.

Title: 'Skeptical'

Artist's Statement:

This dramatic monochrome image captures the fragile essence of a child's shattered dream. The torn fabric around him becomes a metaphor for broken aspirations, yet his skeptical, luminous eyes pierce the darkness with a quiet defiance. A small, earnest stitching in the torn cloth stands out, symbolizing his unwavering effort to mend the gap between his reality and distant dreams. Though surrounded by shadows, the child’s gaze reflects resilience, determination, and an unspoken belief that hope can be stitched back into even the most tattered corners of life. The image is a moving portrayal of struggle, persistence, and the power of inner light.

Title: 'Rice Grain Threshing'

Artist's Statement:

As the sun gracefully descends on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, a tribal lady engages in the ancient practice of threshing rice grains in the courtyard of her home. With rhythmic movements, she skillfully tosses the harvested rice into the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle as the grains catch the soft light of the setting sun, appearing to glow with an ethereal radiance. Against the tranquil late afternoon backdrop, this captivating image captures the timeless beauty of rural life, where the simple act of threshing rice becomes a poetic dance between tradition and nature's sublime beauty.