Photo Series

Series-1 Title: The Last Living Legends – Konyak Headhunters of Nagaland

Description:

This ten-image photo series offers a powerful visual narrative of the Konyak Headhunters of Longwa village, Nagaland, one of the last tribal communities in India known for the once-feared practice of headhunting. These images capture the fading legacy of warriorhood etched into the inked faces of aged Konyak men, whose elaborate tattoos speak of battles fought and rituals performed. Each frame documents not just history but resilience, an elder crafting a bamboo basket with weathered hands, a group gathered around a fire sharing stories, a portrait of a tattooed face that has witnessed a cultural transformation. The vibrant annual Aoling festival comes alive in their traditional attire, symbolizing the pride they still hold in their identity. Christianity may have ended headhunting in the 1960s, but these elders continue preserving their customs - farming, storytelling, and spiritual beliefs without compromise. As the last of their kind, they stand as living bridges between a fierce past and a peaceful present. This series is a tribute to their strength, dignity, and persistent connection to their roots, a rare glimpse into the lives of India's last headhunters before they pass into legend.

Series-2 Title: Producing Silk Fabrics and Sarees

Description:

Producing Silk Fabrics and Sarees is an extremely hard-working process. The process starts with growing the silkworms, nurturing them under close supervision, and then eventually collecting the cocoons and selling them in the wholesale market. Threads are made from these cocoons in the thread-making factory, thereby making silk yarns from the silk threads. Color dyeing the silk yarns is an extremely laborious manual process in which everything from color preparation to drying of the silk yarns is done manually in a very hot and humid atmosphere. Multiple layers of dye are often applied, allowing each layer to dry before proceeding to the next to achieve rich, nuanced colors. Finally, the silk yarns are rinsed, dried, and sometimes treated with fixatives or mordants to ensure colorfastness. The manual silk dyeing process is not only a craft but also an art form that requires patience, skill, and a keen eye for detail, resulting in exquisite silk fabrics and sarees using power looms that are highly valued and cherished for their unique beauty. This series of images represents the different stages of the process and the people involved in the actual environment.

Series-3 Title: The Heritage of Perfume-making Process of Kannauj, India

Description:

This photo series delves into the age-old perfume-making process at a traditional distillery in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The images capture the process step-by-step. The workers meticulously pick fresh flower petals at dawn, the petals being boiled in large copper vessels, the steam rising to create a mystical atmosphere. The distillation process involves workers carefully tending to the intricate apparatus. Collecting the precious distillate in containers and further processing it to get the clear, fragrant liquid until it is ready for market. Along with the process, the images portray the faces of the artisans, reflecting their dedication and pride in preserving this centuries-old craft.