Monographs
To paraphrase Jacques Cousteau, We are the Ocean and the Ocean is us. The markers that we emerged from the oceans, is probably the isotonic saline nature of every cell in our body with the sea. These photos explore an amniotic universe, a paradise lost and regained. 220 pages, 208 photos
Indian mythology is the only mythology that is a continuum that predates vedic times to the contemporary. Many rituals and invocations have stayed intact for centuries. Ive come to believe that mythology, subconsciously influences culture. Every flower, fruit, nut, animal, vegetable colour, season has semiology, every god in india has specific protocol. Being an anti-fashion, fashion photographer, this is my subjective reading and visual interpretation.
The Ubiquitous Neelkamal chair: this article of utility and no character of its own got me interested when it suddenly appears in locations where it has no business being present. On going project.
What we leave behind. this monographs maps the detritus man leaves behind on his Residence.
Taxi-Dermy – Get stuffed: most mumbaikars are familiar with the ubiquitous ‘kaali peeli’ (black/yellow) padmini taxi. The taxi and its loquacious driver are engrained into the mumbai landscape. NOw there is Uber and Ola and other rentals, but for a very long time in socialist india the padmini or erstwhile Fiat was the prime and inexpensive way to stop-hail-go anywhere in the city. My love affair with these often stinky, hot, rusty and sagging vehicles is evident here. Taxi drivers personalise their vehicles with kitch that they consider art. Alas the padmini has been decommissioned now with Korean cars replacing them, that unique brand equity has gone.
Goa has attracted the hippies of the 60s, the original ‘freaks’ that found the liberal, tropical nature of Goa perfect for their lifestyle. Each decade since has seen waves of different communities pass through. The talent one sees in Goa one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere in india, a kind of magnet.
This book portrays the beauty of the the current wave of freaks who are into yoga and auyerveda and ‘ecstatic’ dance.
These are mostly Indian women who volunteered to be photographed. Priti Sethi many years ago a ‘news reader’ on MTV, when M stood for Music, asked me to make her some ‘head shots’ for CV type of use. With clavicles like those, the CV got dammed.
Other regular women saw those photos and volunteered, that set the ball rolling. Women have fascinate me ever since. I have been blessed with their trust, generosity, beauty, grace, and above all, friendship over the years. The text is basically their emails to me either before, during or after the photo-session.
140 years : St. Xaviers college in Mumbai has a reputation that few colleges can compete with. The college claims academic excellence but believes in holistic education. Many of its alumni have become major influencers on the cultural scene in India.
