Growing up in Mumbai, open spaces were scarce. Moving to Pune in 2010 felt like a breath of fresh air.
Pune’s peaceful suburbs, with their quaint roads and hilly terrain, contrasted sharply with the crowded city center.
However, returning recently from the UK, I was disheartened to find these serene landscapes transformed into landfills for construction debris.
This led me to reflect on Robert Adams' words: "Go to the landscape that frightens you the most and take pictures until you're not scared anymore.“
This realization spurred me to document and raise awareness about Pune’s rapidly growing cityscapes.
The city's race to become the next "most livable place" often sacrifices its natural surroundings.
Pune's natural beauty attracts construction projects promising living "in the heart of nature," yet these contribute to smog and dust.
Reflecting on Robert Adams' notion that "Photography as art does address evil...it works to convince us of life’s value," I aim to capture the enduring beauty amidst urban encroachment, urging appreciation and preservation of these natural spaces.
As an afterthought of my earlier work Blotched Edifice, I document the current state of Pune’s landscapes, celebrating their beauty and highlighting the importance of preserving the natural spaces that still survive amidst the city's relentless expansion.
2023-ongoing