I am an editor, writer and photographer based in India. Photography and words are my way of looking at the world. My works blur the line between documentary photojournalism and imaginative storytelling.
Born in Chennai, India, I spent most of my childhood years in Zambia, Africa. Between eating nshima (a Zambian staple made of maize flour) and sambhar (an Indian tangy soup), singing two national anthems, and experiencing an independent society versus a socially conservative one, I grew up amidst two very different cultures. This inevitably ingrained in me a desire to explore more of the world’s cultures and geography.
I pursued my undergraduate degree in Architecture, and travelled across India. After graduation, I worked as a sub-editor and reporter at the Indian daily The New Indian Express, producing page-one stories and double-spread photo essays on social, cultural and environmental topics. In 2019, I began specialising in environmental storytelling, working with Sanctuary Asia, India's oldest environmental conservation magazine (in circulation since 1981), where I worked as Senior Editor until September 2022.
I now work with the Indian Institute of Science as a science editor and do freelance work with Mongabay India and The Kodai Chronicle. I'm also working on a long-term documentary photo project in the Sikkim-Himalaya, and I spend my time between my home in Chennai and the mountains.
If you'd like to work with me to document your environment, science, conservation or education projects, drop in an email below.
WORK EXPERIENCE
SENIOR EDITORIAL MANAGER, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
SEPTEMBER 2023 - PRESENT
Managing the quarterly magazine Connect, including commissioning, writing and editing articles; editorial scheduling; working with illustrators for cover design and layouts; and creating social media content. Liaising with institute departments on communication projects, such as annual reports, grant applications, and newsletters.
FREELANCE EDITOR, MONGABAY INDIA
DECEMBER 2022 - PRESENT
Editing articles, interviews, commentaries and writing short video scripts on the topics of environment, climate change, community and green energy.
ENVIRONMENT EDITOR, THE KODAI CHRONICLE
MAY 2022 - PRESENT
I oversee the Environment vertical of the bi-monthly publication, producing two-three stories per issue in collaboration with writers, illustrators and photographers. I also work across mountains in India to curate mountain-specific stories around wildlife, community, environment and conservation.
OCTOBER 2019 - OCTOBER 2022
I oversee the editorial team that publishes the Sanctuary Asia and Sanctuary Cub magazine. I work closely with writers, photographers and illustrators across India, and to a certain extent, Asia, to curate, commission and produce stories at the intersection of environment, wildlife, communities and conservation. Leading a team of six, including editorial, social media and design, I also oversee website management, social media campaigns, and work on communications and outreach for all projects under Sanctuary Nature Foundation. I'm also involved in scriptwriting and curation for the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards, India's premiere award for conservationists. Other collaborations with distinguished organisations listed further below.
REPORTER AND SUB-EDITOR, THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
2017 - 2018
As an intrepid reporter and sub-editor, I toggled both daily field reporting and desk duties. I worked on stories, interviews and news features on the themes of community, people, food, travel, arts and culture. I worked on extensive double-spread photo essays and reported on page-one stories. I was also involved in editing, proof-reading and page-making in the newsroom.
FELLOWSHIPS | WORKSHOPS
VISUAL THINKING AND MAKING | PhotoCircle
NOVEMBER 2022 - MARCH 2023
One of 12 participants in a five-month program to strengthen photography practice and deepen critical thinking around the craft of storytelling through visuals.
VISUAL STORYTELLING WORKSHOP| With National Geographic Explorer Prasenjeet Yadav
MARCH 2022
Part of a photo story and visual storytelling workshop with Prasenjeet Yadav, conducted by Nature Conservation Foundation.
INDIA YOUTH ECO JAM 2022 | Yes!World
MARCH 2022
One of 30 participants selected from across India to take part in the six-day EcoJam community-building event with the theme of environment and conservation.
LAND CONFLICT WATCH BOOTCAMP | Earth Journalism Network
MAY 2021
One of 20 fellows selected for a month-long virtual bootcamp and fellowship focusing on environment, climate change and biodiversity journalism.
COLLABORATIONS
JUDGE, PRELIMINARY ROUND, JACKSON WILD MEDIA AWARDS 2022
SEPTEMBER 2022
Served as a judge for the preliminary round of the Writing Category, for the Jackson Wild Film Festival — reviewed 16 documentary films on wildlife an environmental conservation.
SANCTUARY ASIA & JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE
DECEMBER 2021
Co-ordination with the Jane Goodall Institute for the conferring of the Sanctuary Legend Award for Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE.
SANCTUARY ASIA & TANGLED SEAS
DECEMBER 2021
Collaboration with film production house Beyond Premieres for outreach and petitions on their Ghost Nets campaign, to prevent the discarding of fishing nets into open oceans that harm marine life.
SANCTUARY ASIA & ALT-EFF FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 2021
Collaboration with All Living Things - Environmental Film Festival (ALT-EFF) 2021, to review a few of their film selections for their second edition — featuring the work of national and international filmmakers.
