The Chennai Pride March 2026 brought together members of the LGBTQIA+ community, allies, activists, and supporters in a celebration of diversity, visibility, and equality. The annual march continues to provide a space where people come together to express their identities, share their stories, and advocate for equal rights.

In November 2024, I journeyed through four timeless cities—Kolkata, Patna, Bodh Gaya, and Varanasi—to create a portrait series that reflects the spirit and humanity of Eastern and Northern India. These are not just photographs, but quiet encounters—fleeting yet intimate—between a traveler and the soul of the land.

The Sri Mutharmman temple resides in Kulasekharapattinam village near Tiruchendur, approximately 55 km south of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. It's a hub of celebration during Dasara, drawing in a massive crowd of devotees. What sets this festival apart is its distinctive practice: devotees aren't required to spend their own money. Instead, they embark on a door-to-door alms collection, using the contributions solely for token offerings at the shrine.

On the climactic day, the once desolate coastal village transforms into a lively carnival along the seashores. The air fills with the melodies of folk music, and devotees adorned in elaborate costumes engage in folk dances. Their purpose? To seek the blessings of Sri Muthramman, revered as the incarnation of Sakthi, the consort of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, or to express gratitude for the blessings received.

Sonepur Mela offered a dynamic setting for street and documentary photography. I focused on capturing the essence of daily life and the vibrant energy of the mela. Through my lens, I documented the people, their traditions, and their unique stories. The bustling activities and cultural richness were a visual feast. Each moment reflected the soul of this historic fair.

During my recent visit to Kolkata, India, I immersed myself in the vibrant energy of the city to document its essence and daily life. Kolkata, with its blend of historical charm and contemporary dynamics, offers endless inspiration for a street photographer. From the bustling markets and serene ghats to the spirited festivals, each corner of the city tells a unique story. My aim was to capture these fleeting moments of connection, emotion, and culture, creating a visual narrative that celebrates the soul of this remarkable city.

Varanasi, often referred to as the spiritual capital of India, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, it is renowned for its vibrant ghats, ancient temples, and a rich tapestry of cultural and religious traditions. The city's daily life, filled with rituals, bustling markets, and serene boat rides on the Ganges, offers an unparalleled experience for travel and documentary photographers. These are my photos taken during this visit, capturing stories of faith, life, and heritage in this timeless city.

The Sri Mutharmman temple resides in Kulasekharapattinam village near Tiruchendur, approximately 55 km south of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. It's a hub of celebration during Dasara, drawing in a massive crowd of devotees. What sets this festival apart is its distinctive practice: devotees aren't required to spend their own money. Instead, they embark on a door-to-door alms collection, using the contributions solely for token offerings at the shrine.

On the climactic day, the once desolate coastal village transforms into a lively carnival along the seashores. The air fills with the melodies of folk music, and devotees adorned in elaborate costumes engage in folk dances. Their purpose? To seek the blessings of Sri Muthramman, revered as the incarnation of Sakthi, the consort of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, or to express gratitude for the blessings received.

Mayana Kollai Festival is an important festival that occurs every February or March in the small village of Kaveripattinam, Tamil Nadu, India, the day after Mahashivarathiri. The festival is dedicated to Angalamman, a fierce guardian deity widely worshipped in Southern India.

Sri Mutharmman temple is located at Kulasekharapattinam village near Tiruchendur 55 km south of Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, India. In this temple, Dasara is celebrated as a big festival. Lakhs of people are assembled here to celebrate this festival. The uniqueness and oddity of the festival is that the devotees need not spend from their pockets. They are expected to beg alms from door to door and token offerings only are expected to be offered at the shrine after meeting their expenses. On a climatic day, the sea shores of this otherwise deserted coastal village turn into a veritable carnival of folk music and folk dance of the devotees in their chosen fancy dresses to either solicit the grace of or to thank for the boon granted by the presiding deity Sri Muthramman considered to be the incarnation of Sakthi the consort of Lord Shiva in Hinduism.

Sri Mutharmman temple is located at Kulasekharapattinam village near Tiruchendur 55 km south of Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, India. In this temple Dasara is being celebrated as a big festival. Lakhs of people are assemble here to celebrate this festival. The uniqueness and oddity of the festival is that the devotees need not spend from their pocket. They are expected to beg alms from door to door and a token offerings only is expected to be offered at shrine after meeting out their expenses. On the climatic day the sea shores of this otherwise deserted coastal village turns into veritable carnival of folk music and folk dance of the devotees in their chosen fancy dresses to either solicit the grace of or to thank for the boon granted by presiding deity Sri Muthramman considered to be the incarnation of Sakthi the consort of Lord Shiva in Hinduism.

In 2014, I photographed a Therukoothu performance in Nangamangalam, near Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Performed through the night in village streets and open spaces, Therukoothu is one of Tamil Nadu's oldest surviving forms of folk theatre, combining music, dance, storytelling, and drama.

Boats play a very important role for people who live by rivers or lakes or sea. Day to day life of them highly depends on boats in various ways, especially for transport. Boats have a wide variety of sizes, designs and construction methods due to their intended purposes. Some of them are used for transport and some of them are used for fishing. Some boats are used for sports also.

Every year, thousands of transgender women from across India travel to the village of Koovagam in Tamil Nadu to take part in the annual Koothandavar Festival. The festival is rooted in the story of Aravaan from the Mahabharata and is one of the most significant religious and cultural gatherings for the transgender community in India.