A journey lies ahead
A series portraying India’s railways, along with their bustling stations, the people who travel on them and their journeys
Ihave always been fascinated by trains, and also been fond of rail journeys. Here in India, railways are as big a part of our culture as they are part of our economy, being the largest employer in the entire country.
In 2015 I was at a railway station to meet a friend of mine, and the train was late so I had plenty of time to roam around. I took a few pictures, then realized I could mix my love for railways and my passion for photography in a photo essay. I got the idea and kicked off with the Indian railways. The more I have devoted myself to this story, the more I am getting to know about the railways and the people that travel upon them.
Railway stations are a diverse mixture of cultures, with people from every part of the country and even overseas to be seen, and there’s a story waiting to be captured every moment. One of the biggest challenges, when shooting at stations, is to keep your gear safe in the rush, as well as to find subjects and gel with them. I believe the first eye contact creates a special bond.
I started shooting in the summer of 2016, but this is an ongoing project that I wish to continue for many more years to come.