KASHMIR

Since 2010, I've been documenting the Kashmir Valley, embarking on five journeys into its depths. These ventures weren't solely about capturing landscapes; they were profound encounters with the resilience of its people, especially in the aftermath of riots that have scarred its history. My photography journey in Kashmir has been a transformative odyssey, shaping my perspective in profound ways over the years. It has not only deepened my appreciation for the resilience of its people but also broadened my understanding of the complexities and nuances of the region's socio-political landscape. Through each lens click, I have found myself delving deeper into the fabric of Kashmiri life, discovering layers of beauty, struggle, and hope that have forever altered my worldview.

Beyond the politics and intentional conflicts, I've focused on telling the untold stories that emerge from the valley's serene rural communities. These narratives are often obscured by stereotypes, offering outsiders little understanding of the true essence and reality of Kashmir.

Through my lens, I strive to peel back these layers, offering an authentic portrayal of life in the valley. Yet, my focus isn't solely on grand narratives of resistance; it's on the everyday experiences of Kashmiris, particularly through the day-to-day lives of women and children. As part of this project, I follow children from different age groups and backgrounds, documenting them periodically to assess the impact of policies on future generations.

2009
2009
Sahail is grazing sheep with his sister.. Their father is a doctor.
Silk Factory, Raj Bagh, Srinagar. 2011
Urfi belongs to a family on the outskirts of Pahalgam, in Kashmir. Her grand father Ghulam Muhammad Sheik and his sons Shabeer and Farooq are pony drivers in Pahalgam and thats how the family is being run.
Batmalu Market. Srinagar.2011
Kupwara, Panchayat election. 2011
Mehwish is studying in 6 level, and she is daughter of a Shikara driver and lives in a decrepit house boat.
Taken from Terry, Harwan. It is said that a tourism project is imminent here.
Kairenusa in their cultivation field which is abutting onto courtyard.
Muhamed Ajaz is a truck driver from Bagh in POK. He is at the trade facilitation centre in Uri, Indian Kashmir.
Nazrat is studying in 3 level, and she lives in a houseboat in Dal Lake with a large number of people.
The last restaurant in the Indian side. It locates along the circuitous road leading to Azad kashmir which is 16 kilometers from this place. Uri town is five kilometers away from the restaurant towards Indian Kashmir direction.
Taken from Dal Lake. 2013
Zafar married his lover at the age of 21 which rendered them homeless, now they are living in a small room provided by his family in which Rubina cooks, too. 2016
2011
Mukthiar Ali is a pony driver, working full day on holidays and a few hours in the evening in school days. He is studying in 6th level in Sheikh Aalam Public school, Sonamarg, Kashmir.
Taken from Banihal, on the way to Srinagar from Jammu.
@Dras, near Sonamarg in Kashmir. The small huts belong to Bakarwals, a himalayan nomad tribe.
Ghulam Moideen, A truck driver from Khadaniar village in Baramulla district, Kashmir. He is on the way home, which is almost one hour climb from the place, photograph was taken. 2016
Shahid and Mohsin preparing for entrance exam, stayed in a rented house in Srinagar. Both hail from rural parts of Srinagar.
Taken from Chalyan Chotnard village. It's coming under the project INDIAN MODEL VILLAGE. This one is almost 20 km away from the nearest town Cheria sherif. 2016
Shehnas and Mumthas. Take from Terry, Harwan. 2016
"In my case, it's mountains that drown me in a total blankness redolent of a roaring ocean"
@ sonamarg
Azaan, studying in 4th level. Taken from Baramulla, an international border sharing district in Kashmir. 2016
Failed to notice names of students in the front ground. In the back ground, Seerat, Mehak and Ayan, along with his mother and they were on the way back home. Ayan's mother is a teacher in Sha Waliat Lah English School in Jalsheri village, Baramulla district, Kashmir, where all of these are studying.
The one is on left just passed out from the college and other one is pursuing her degree. Both are from middle class family and the left one is forced to work as a weaver soon after college, which is a common house hold business in kashmir. 2016
Taken from Kupwara market. 2011
A carpenter in Lal Chowk. 2011
Sania. Was with her grandmother in a river side park on the bank of Jhelum. 2013
Seerat is studying in 3 level in Shah Waliablah English School in Jalsheri village in Baramulla, Kashmir.
Taken from Cherai Sherif Village.
Shakir and Wasim. Take from Kanidajan village, in Budgam district.
@ Cherai Sherif village, in Budgam district, Kashmir. He ran away keeping his name mysterious.
Farmers. Budgam district.
Children playing
Mallika is studying in 2 level and daughter of a small scale shop owner on the bank of Dal lake.
Jhelum river
Farah Manzoor is daughter of a policeman. Being a relative of a policeman In Kashmir means a lot as the possibilities for inclusion of youth's name in the list of protesters are high.
On an outing with children, they stopped at a floating shop in Dal lake. A small beautiful girl is just shadowed by a generous woman passing with drinking water.
Children having free time in a religious school (MADRASA). Taken from near Baramulla town
Arif Basheer is taking his niece home after consulting doctor at Govt sub district hospital. @ Cherari Sherif, Kashmir
Snow capped toilet. Taken from Rashianpura, Baramulla district.
Ifra, Ikira and Sumera. Taken from Chalyan Chotnard village, it's coming under the project INDIAN MODEL VILLAGE.
Mehru is studying in 6 level. Taken from Nawhard, Cherai Sherif. Budgam district.
Faizal, studying in plus two, lives in Down town which is one of the most affected area in Srinagar. After every friday prayer protests occur here which is clearly a gathering of anti Indians.
Jamia Masjid