Portrait of a City: Ahmedabad
Although my जन्मभूमि (birthplace), I had not come closer to Ahmedabad until I walked the familiar streets with a camera. Be it architecture, food, culture – and now the UNESCO World Heritage status, Ahmedabad is indeed unique for many reasons. This album is my most intimate encounter with the city where I have spent three decades of my life. Through architecture, culture, markets, streets, food, and more, I attempt to showcase the daily life of Ahmedabad.
The Akha Bhagat Chowk at Desai Ni Pole, Ahmedabad.
A heritage building in Ahmedabad.
An old house in Ahmedabad.
A flour shop an old building. Ahmedabad.
The Hatkeshwar Mahadev temple in Ahmedabad.
An illustration of Hindu deities Lord Rama, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshmana, and Lord Hanumana.
Built of yellow sandstones, the Jama Mosque was built by King Ahmad Shah – I, the founder of Ahmedabad.
Carvings on Jama Mosque minaret
A man offering prayer at Jama Mosque, Ahmedabad.
The main gate and base of minarets of Rani Rupmati Mosque
One of the windows of Rani Rupmati Mosque, Ahmedabad.
Base of a minaret of Rani Rupmati Mosque
A closer look at Hutheesing Jain Temple entrance
Carvings at Hutheesing Jain Temple – II
Carvings at Hutheesing Jain Temple – III
Adalaj stepwell also known as Rudabai stepwell, Ahmedabad
Bai Harir stepwell
A woman at Shah-e-Alam shrine, Ahmedabad, during a weekly ceremony.
A crowd of devotees during the daily gum benzoin or frankincense burning ritual. Burning gum benzoin is a common daily or ceremonial practice in Indian households, temples, and shrines.
A woman at Shah-e-Alam shrine as she comes out of the smoke caused by burning gum benzoin or frankincense – locally known as loban.
A man and a tea cup
A heritage house at Dhal Ni Pole
Pillars of a heritage house in Ahmedabad
A man who exchanges utensils for clothes talking to a woman
A woman waits to exchange her clothes for utensils
A staircase at a ‘pole’
A heritage house at Dhal No Pole
A house help working outside a house in narrow lanes of Dhal Ni Pole
A child poses for a picture in narrow lanes of Dhal Ni Pole
An elderly fruit seller photographed in Ahmedabad.
A 93-year-old woman in Ahmedabad
A woman selling utensils at Sunday market, Ahmedabad
An elderly woman photographed at Ahmedabad’s Sunday market
Rings in fingers of a man selling bakery items
A man lighting up a beedi
A boy with beautiful smile photographed in Ahmedabad
A woman in Ahmedabad poses for a picture with one of the chickens she is selling
An elderly seller in conversation with a customer at Sunday market, Ahmedabad
A woman preparing grains the tradition way. Grains prepared this way are usually used for a dish called ‘Khichra’
A sari along with other clothes drying outside balcony of a house in Upli Sheri, Ahmedabad
A woman enters Upli Sheri. In Gujarati, Upli means ‘the higher one’ and Sheri means ‘street.’
Covid-19 antigen test kits photographed at a test booth where results are available within minutes.
A municipality health worker at a rapid Covid-19 test centre in Ahmedabad poses for a picture.
Shanti Kaka – who in late eighties – performs engraving work on metal plates with remarkable perfection and dedication.
A girl poses with Namaste gesture
Curious kids look at the camera. Ahmedabad.
A chicken up for sale seems intrigued by the camera
A man holding chickens that he has just bought at Ahmedabad’s Sunday Market
A one and a half month goat lies comfortably in a girl’s hands as she observes the argument over the final price of the group of goats.
A boy with long hair convinces another boy to pose for a picture with him
A man has bought two chickens at Sunday market, Ahmedabad
A street vendor selling handmade wind chimes in front of the Bhadra Fort, Ahmedabad.
A street vendor showcases handmade wind chimes in front of the Bhadra Fort, Ahmedabad.
A woman in Ahmedabad
Henna-painted hands of a woman wearing colourful bangles. Ahmedabad.
A man at Jalaram Temple in Ahmedabad fries puris as ‘maharaj’ or the head chef observes.
A man eating outside Jalaram Temple in Ahmedabad. The temple donates lunch every day to whoever asks.
A man washes hands after having food donated by a temple.
A sadhu seeking alms in street of Ahmedabad
A mother and her little girl photographed in Ahmedabad.
Men who invited me over for a cup of tea.
A girl applies lipstick to her brother’s lips. Ahmedabad.
A girl seems happy to see his brother with lipstick.
A bicycle mechanic in street.
A moped in a ‘pole’ in Heritage city of Ahmedabad.
A barber shop in Ahmedabad
Threads are being coloured for Kite Festival
A young girl working at a flower market in Ahmedabad.
Family working at a flower market
Muskan – a young girl surrounded by footwear. She looks after the footwear for visitors in hope to earn some money.
An old passport size picture at the back of a car.
A sadhu at Sunday market, Ahmedabad is looking to buy a radio that he says is to keep him company
A man selling clothes at Sunday market, Ahmedabad.
