Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi was my first serious photography trip. This small Indian village, now home to ~3000 people, was once a bustling city of half a million. This UNESCO World Heritage site holds legacies and stories stretching back to the 14th century, when it thrived as a major population center. Today, a large area is marked for preservation, while extended regions have restrictions on development. Everything in this region, including the people, flows around the boulder-filled landscape, these rock formations that seem permanent but shift over thousands of years.

In the age of AI tech transforming job markets, it is incredible to observe a life undisturbed and so closely intertwined with nature. Here are some photos I captured during my trips to the area while learning from Indrajit Khambe; special thanks for his guidance! The serenity of such a place is unmatched and I will be returning soon.

tungha-banks
The journey starts at the Tungabhadra river; it was the lifeline for Hampi and is still regularly visited by people in the region.
tungha-bliss
Many take a bath in the river along with a visit to the adjoining 7th century Virupaksha Temple. Here are some kids who were part of a school excursion. Tungabhadra banks, India, 2022
rest-stop
Pilgrims use their time after the bath to dry their clothes and rest before embarking on their journery back home. Tungabhadra banks, India, 2022
blue-saree-laid-out
Tungabhadra banks, India, 2023
vibrant-saree-laid-out
Tungabhadra banks, India, 2023
river-group
While most ignore the camera, some love and insist being part of the story. Here's one of the many requests I received during my first trip. Tungabhadra banks, India, 2023
kid-rock
During my second trip to Hampi, I realized that kids were very perceptive of the presence of cameras. There were no limits to show how comfortable they were with the landscape. Anegundi, India, 2023
kid-rock-leaps
Anegundi, India, 2023
cartwheel-ravi
Virupaksha Temple, India, 2023
anjanadri-climb
Anjanadri Hill, India, 2023
morning-tea
Compared to North America, India's golden hour can be ~40% shorter. Nevertheless, the warmth of the scene is very familiar. Sanapur, India, 2023
legacy
Anjanadri Hill, India, 2023
natural-reclamation
Anegundi, India, 2023
building-among-rocks
Anegundi, India, 2023
kids-returning-home
There's a generation of Indians growing hand-in-hand with nature in this AI age. Many are consumers of content on the internet (YouTube, Instagram). Anegundi, India, 2023