Last September, Navi Mumbai-based Travel and Social Documentary photographer Parikshit Rao teamed up with the folks at OpenEye Magazine to publish one of his self-assigned projects telling the story of the precious, lesser-known quiet moments in India’s busy cities. From the streets of Mumbai to the alleys of Kolkata, this personal project, over ten years in the making, aimed to offer a fresh perspective on Indian city life. Steering clear of conventional tropes, Parikshit set out to document the rich inner life of the cities and their residents, and share a glimpse of the peaceful beauty therewithin. The project was featured in the French publication’s September/October 2023 issue.
Parikshit caught the eye of OpenEye with the “Cities” gallery on his website. His photographic style and the poignancy of the personal series resonated with the editorial client’s vision for the article.
I feel my Travel photography work has a focus on showing decolonized, non-clichéd visuals from modern India as much as possible. India is immensely diverse and much more than just elephants and turban-clad villagers.
This wasn’t a commissioned shoot for OpenEye. I chose specific photos for them centered around the idea of peaceful moments in noisy cities. This was a personal angle as I find cities in India, despite all their conveniences, to be chaotic and bustling. Silence, introspection, and peace of mind are usually set aside in the pursuit of hustle culture.
Over the span of a decade, Parikshit traveled the length and breadth of India. Despite the seeming urban chaos, Parikshit navigated the streets with patience, waiting for the perfect moments to unfold naturally. Each new city offered its own unique energy and challenges.
All the photos were shot over 10-12 years of living, travelling, and working in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. I felt a common theme running through the photos would lend these otherwise single images a meaningful cohesion. I am familiar with all the cities I shot in, with the exception of Kolkata, where a local photographer friend guided and helped me explore much better than I would have on my own.
I’ve called Mumbai home for the longest stretch, nearly 16 years, where I’ve studied, worked, and still partially reside. I spent 2 years in Hyderabad, followed by another 2-3 years in Delhi, and around 2 years in Bangalore, where I was born and raised. Kolkata is the only place that I’ve visited without living there long-term. I spent less than 2 weeks here, but the place is so retro and photogenic that it was wonderful to explore the city slowly and shoot as much as possible every day. I keep traveling between these cities for work and leisure, so I keep shooting whenever possible.
While this self-assigned project was shot alone and without a team, Parikshit found himself immersed in the warmth and hospitality of the locals. People welcomed engaging with Parikshit and his camera with open arms, particularly in Kolkata. Fluent in several Indian languages, Parikshit was able to connect with many of his subjects on a personal level. He captured candid moments that reflected the essence of each city and its offbeat locations. His familiarity with the cities he photographed enabled him to navigate public spaces, and successfully gain approval for shooting in select private venues.
People in India are generally open towards being photographed. Maybe it’s their exposure to a wide range of culture and visual arts, but Kolkata was a delight to shoot in as virtually nobody seemed to mind me taking their pictures. It surely helped to capture many candid and natural moments. Some even happily invited me into their ancient mansions. I firmly believe that every photographer gives out a vibe while shooting. I don’t hurry when shooting on the street. I will sit with the people I photograph, chat about general things, learn something interesting about them or their job, and only then take a picture if I feel it’s an intersesting moment or story or face.
Shooting in the streets of Indian cities came with its set of challenges. From dodging power lines to sidestepping stray animals, capturing the photos of this series required Parikshit’s utmost attention.
You’ve got to be mega-aware to steer clear of power lines, cables, and the onslaught of advertisements and business signs cluttering up the shot. Oh, and let’s not forget about the stray people, vehicles, and animals that can pop up unexpectedly. I sometimes shoot with both eyes open, looking into the viewfinder, to anticipate anything entering or exiting the frame in a 180⁰ field of view. Urban scenes can easily get very chaotic here in India.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern cities, Parikshit’s series serves as a reminder to pause and appreciate the moments of tranquility still present, even in the busiest of places and times.
See more of Parikshit’s work on his website.
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