New Delhi, India – June 23, 2025 —
Award-winning photographer and visual storyteller Kumar Vihaan has officially unveiled his latest project, “Offbeat India”—a travel photography series dedicated to capturing the lesser-known beauty of Indian landscapes, people, and traditions. Launched both online at kumarvihaan.in and through a multi-city pop-up exhibition, the project emphasizes the power of storytelling, culture, and visual preservation.
With each frame steeped in emotion, contrast, and historical resonance, Kumar Vihaan aims to celebrate India’s hidden gems—those that exist beyond tourist trails and glossy travel brochures.
What is “Offbeat India”?
“Offbeat India” is a deeply personal visual journey spanning over 18 months and 20+ unexplored destinations—from the salt mines of Little Rann in Gujarat to the tribal villages of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, and the untouched wetlands of Majuli, Assam.
Every photograph tells a unique story—of a potter still molding clay with ancient tools, of a lone shepherd in the Aravalli hills, of twilight markets run entirely by women in remote Meghalaya. But more than visuals, it is the emotional and cultural narratives behind each image that define the series.
“This project is about reclaiming the quiet stories,” says Kumar Vihaan. “The places that live outside headlines, the people whose lives are poetry without ever trying to be.”
Storytelling Meets Cultural Preservation
In a fast-urbanizing India, many traditional practices, rituals, and even landscapes are slowly disappearing. He takes on the role of a cultural documentarian—not only capturing beauty but archiving heritage.
To deepen the storytelling aspect, each image in the collection is paired with:
- Short oral histories and translated local folklore
- Traditional proverbs or poetic lines tied to the region
- Details about rituals, craft forms, or festivals captured
This layered format offers more than visual appeal—it offers context, emotion, and a record for generations.
The Pop-Up Exhibition Experience
To complement the digital launch, Kumar Vihaan is hosting a traveling pop-up gallery across three cities: Delhi, Bangalore, and Jaipur. The exhibition is intentionally minimalist—open spaces, large-format matte prints, and ambient regional sounds in the background.
Visitors will experience:
- 50+ curated photographs grouped by theme (Tradition, Landscape, Faces, Ritual)
- QR codes to hear behind-the-shot audio stories by Kumar Vihaan himself
- A walk-through installation simulating a journey from East to West India
- A dedicated “Memory Wall” where visitors can share their own untold India stories
The goal is simple yet profound—bring forgotten corners of India to the heart of its cities.
Online Collection and Accessibility
For those unable to attend the physical galleries, He has made the full “Offbeat India” project available on his official website: kumarvihaan.in/offbeat-india.
The site includes:
- A fully responsive interactive gallery
- Captions and commentary in English and Hindi
- Print-on-demand options (with proceeds partially supporting local NGOs)
- A form for users to suggest regions for the next phase of the project
“It’s important to me that this body of work lives beyond a screen or a wall,” explains Kumar Vihaan. “This is about shared history—and every viewer becomes a part of preserving it.”
Highlights from the Collection
- The Nomads of Spiti: Wind-battered yet peaceful, Vihaan captures Himalayan shepherds with haunting intimacy.
- Rajasthan’s Water Temples: Forgotten stepwells lit by a single candle—silent, sacred, cinematic.
- Northeast Matriarchy: Portraits of Khasi women running markets, traditions, and politics—shot during monsoon.
- Andhra's Itikopaka Artisans: Close-ups of hand-lathed wooden toys crafted using 300-year-old methods.
Each photo is not just a visual—it’s an archive, a feeling, a responsibility.
Artistic Philosophy of Kumar Vihaan
Known for his deep-toned composition, natural lighting, and emotion-led frames, Kumar Vihaan isn’t interested in the spectacle of photography. Instead, he pursues truth, stillness, and sincerity.
With a background in visual anthropology and years of traveling solo across India, his work blurs the line between art and ethnography—resonating with both fine art circles and grassroots communities.
“In every face, I see a fable,” says Kumar Vihaan. “In every path, a proverb.”
Pop-Up Gallery Details
Delhi
India Habitat Centre
July 1–5, 2025
11 AM – 8 PM
Bangalore
Ranga Shankara Art Gallery
July 12–16, 2025
Jaipur
Jawahar Kala Kendra
July 20–24, 2025
Entry is free. Prints and collector editions will be available on-site.
Community & Press Response
The sneak previews on Instagram and Twitter have already gained traction, with cultural commentators and travel publications hailing the series as:
“One of the most honest and aesthetically soulful visual archives of India in recent memory.”
– Heritage India Weekly
Educational institutions and heritage foundations have also reached out to collaborate for workshops and seminars.
What’s Next for “Offbeat India”?
Kumar Vihaan plans to extend this series into a limited-edition photo book, and possibly a documentary short film, allowing wider access and archiving possibilities. He is also inviting local storytellers, writers, and artists to contribute text, poetry, or regional insight to deepen the narratives.