NE FEATURES BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, FEB 2
Kerala does not merely appear in photographs—it breathes, listens and remembers. This February, that living, lyrical essence travels from the palm-lined backwaters and misty Western Ghats to Ahmedabad, as ‘Lenscape Kerala’, a landmark photography exhibition presented by Kerala Tourism, opens at the Hutheesing Visual Art Centre.
Curated as a powerful visual dialogue, Lenscape Kerala brings together 100 evocative images captured by ten of India’s most acclaimed photographers, each offering a deeply personal yet collectively resonant portrait of God’s Own Country. From intimate human expressions and lived-in cultures to vast landscapes, wildlife encounters and fleeting everyday moments, the exhibition unfolds Kerala not as a destination, but as an experience.
Ten Visionaries, One Contemporary Portrait of Kerala
What sets Lenscape Kerala apart is its plural gaze. The exhibition is shaped by ten distinct visual voices—H Satish, Shivang Mehta, Amit Pasricha, Saurabh Anand Chatterjee, Saibal Das, Umesh Gogna, Manoj Arora, Aishwarya Sridhar, Natasha Kartar Hemarajani and Kounteya Sinha—each interpreting Kerala through their own artistic sensibility.
Their lenses move effortlessly between the sacred and the ordinary: fishermen casting nets at dawn, ritual performers frozen mid-gesture, rain-washed streets, dense forests alive with wildlife, and quiet moments that often escape the hurried eye. Together, the images form a vibrant, contemporary mosaic that reflects Kerala’s cultural depth and ecological richness.
Curatorial Grace Meets Photographic Mastery
The exhibition is curated by renowned art critic Uma Nair, whose curatorial vision weaves the diverse works into a coherent narrative, allowing viewers to move seamlessly between regions, moods and moments. The direction of the exhibition rests with award-winning photographer Balan Madhavan, whose expertise ensures both artistic integrity and immersive storytelling.
Adding an educational dimension to the showcase, the exhibition will also host a photography masterclass by celebrated photographer Umesh Gogna on the second day. Designed for photography enthusiasts, students and professionals alike, the session promises insights into visual storytelling, composition and the discipline behind impactful imagery.
Kerala Beyond Tourism, Through Art
More than a visual spectacle, Lenscape Kerala is an invitation to slow down and look closer. It positions photography as a bridge between travel, culture and memory—offering audiences in Gujarat a chance to encounter Kerala beyond brochures and itineraries, through nuanced, human-centred narratives.
With free entry for both the exhibition and the masterclass, the event underscores Kerala Tourism’s commitment to cultural outreach and artistic engagement, making world-class visual storytelling accessible to all.
Event Details
Event: Lenscape Kerala – An exhibition of 100 photographs captured across Kerala by ten acclaimed photographers & a Masterclass on Photography
Exhibition Dates: 03–05 February 2026
Time: 11 AM to 7 PM
Curator: Uma Nair
Entry: Free
Masterclass Date: 04 February 2026
Time: 2 PM to 4 PM
Mentor: Umesh Gogna
Entry: Free
Venue: Hutheesing Visual Art Centre, Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, CEPT, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
