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A photograph is never taken, it is always given.
Steve McCurry
HUMANSCAPES
PORTRAITS OF THE EARTH
THE TRIBAL TASTE
A Project with TATA-Steel CSR, Jamshedpur
In December 2021, I was chosen aboard a three-month project with TATA-Steel CSR as a researcher and writer for their book and series of short films.
Our team's expedition started from Assam, traversed through Jharkhand, and ended in Telangana. We explored the indigenous cuisine and culture of the tribes in all three states, covering 6 major tribes - the Bodo and Rabha tribe in Assam, the Oraon, the Santhal and the Ho tribe in Jharkhand, and the Koya tribe in Telangana/Andhra Pradesh.
The book written became a treasury of tribal recipes from the eastern tribal belt of India. Infused with these recipes are the aspirations, anecdotes, legends, and histories of the tribes. I worked as a Chief Co-Writer on the book, titled Re-Orthodoxed, which is yet to be published by TATA.
The short episodic films delve into the mosaic of indigenous culture - from music and medicine to rituals and religion - all in the background of the rich culinary practices of the tribes. We documented the process of making traditional dishes (some delicacies include silkworms, snails, laddoos, millet porridge) which became a mirror into their very identity. I worked as a scriptwriter on the films. The series is yet to be released by TATA.
THE KONKAN COAST
LIGHTHOUSE
PROJECT
A Project for DGLL (Government of India)