Lenscape Kerala Exhibition Brings Magical Kerala to Kolkata
Lenscape Kerala Exhibition Delivers a Powerful and Emotional Kerala Journey
All-India photo exhibition, ‘Lenscape Kerala’ opened at the Durbar Hall of Victoria Memorial Hall today, showcasing the God’s own Country’s verdant nature, inclusive culture and lived experiences as an all-season destination in 100 frames from India’s 10 leading travel and media photographers.
The show, organised by the Victoria Memorial Hall (Ministry of Culture, Government of India), in collaboration with Kerala Tourism, Government of Kerala, was inaugurated by the Secretary and Curator of VMH, Dr Sayan Bhattacharya.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sayan Bhattacharya said, “At Victoria Memorial Hall, the most visited museum in India, we are always keen to provide a platform for exhibitions that celebrate and promote India’s rich cultural and natural legacy. Kerala is a treasure trove of the nation’s natural, cultural, artistic, and intangible heritage. At a time when the country is placing renewed emphasis on ‘reverse tourism’ and encouraging domestic travel, this exhibition aligns seamlessly with that vision. Visitors will truly enjoy experiencing the beauty and diversity of one corner of India while standing in another. Such initiatives reflect the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Viksit Bharat, where cultural confidence, sustainable tourism, and national integration are key drivers of inclusive development. The exhibition also resonates with national programmes such as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Dekho Apna Desh, and Swadesh Darshan, which encourage Indians to explore, appreciate, and connect with the diverse cultural landscapes of the country.”
The exhibition is a novel initiative that displays the infinite variety and charm of Kerala from diverse angles, featuring a unique collection of photographs shot in various parts of the state. Kerala has long been known for its calm backwaters, green hills and rich wildlife. Travel reports often highlight places like the Alleppey backwaters, Munnar tea gardens and Periyar forests as some of India’s most peaceful destinations. In recent years, Kerala has also gained global attention for responsible tourism, where local communities take part in tourism activities and benefit directly from them.
The participating photographers, who came from different parts of India, captured a range of themes such as heritage, architecture, backwaters, wildlife, festivals, spirituality and life of farming and coastal communities in December last year. These themes reflect the real life of Kerala beyond tourist brochures. Many travel writers have noted that Kerala’s strength lies in its balance between nature and daily life. From temple festivals with decorated elephants to fishermen heading out at dawn, such moments offer a deeper view of the state’s culture.
A country-first initiative, the 10-city show has enthralled viewers in major cities across the country, starting from New Delhi in early January, before reaching the City of Joy, whose cultural ethos strikes a chord with Malayalis. Photo exhibitions like this have seen growing interest in India, especially after social media made visual storytelling more popular. Many young travellers now explore destinations after seeing such curated images online or at exhibitions.
The exhibition also serves as an invitation and visual guide to people for whom Kerala is in their bucket list and for those who have already visited the state to explore new layers of experiences. Tourism experts often say that repeat travel is rising in Kerala, as visitors return to explore lesser-known villages, art forms like Kathakali, and wellness traditions such as Ayurveda.
Curated by eminent art curator and critic Uma Nair, the renowned wildlife and conservation photographer Balan Madhavan was the Director of Photography of the project. The photographers who participated in the project are: H Satish, Shivang Mehta, Saibal Das, Umesh Gogna, Saurabh Chatterjee, Natasha Kartar Hemrajani, Aishwarya Sridhar, Amit Pasricha, Manoj Arora and Kounteya Sinha. They travelled to different parts of the state, focusing on diverse themes and interests. Many of these photographers are known for their work in wildlife, travel and heritage documentation, with some having contributed to global publications and conservation campaigns.
According to Uma Nair, Lenscape Kerala promises viewers a visual journey through many dimensions of Kerala in a manner that stimulates curiosity, deepens appreciation, and fosters an enduring sense of admiration. The response to the show had been overwhelming in all places it toured, said Balan Madhavan. The opening of the show was followed by a walkthrough of the exhibition by Uma Nair. Such guided walkthroughs are now common in art shows, helping visitors understand the stories behind each frame rather than just viewing images.
After the grand inauguration in New Delhi, the show had toured Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Surat, before reaching the city.
The journey of ‘Lenscape Kerala’ across cities also shows how art and travel can come together to tell powerful stories. It is not just about pictures, but about building a connection between people and places. For many visitors, the exhibition becomes a window into a land they may not have seen yet, while for others, it brings back memories in a fresh and meaningful way.