In a first-of-its-kind exploration in India, Shanti Banaras commissioned photographer Sarang Sena to shoot imagery in the style of the original photographers of the 17th century, echoing Shanti Banaras’ promise to preserve India’s traditional crafts mastery. Much like a saree, every image plays with lighting, is created by hand, and is made with precision, patience, and technique. Using an 8×10 large format view camera (we won’t blame you for mistaking the camera for a musical instrument) the light and moment take 5 seconds to come together before firming a unique image. This process is seldom practiced anymore but delivers images of whimsy and beauty.
Shanti Banaras’s latest campaign titled “With Love,” is a celebration of traditions, memories, and the eternal love for sarees, weaving love across generations. The campaign features seven strong women – Prosthodontist Aparna Verma, Entrepreneur Kethose Nagi, Filmmaker and Visual Artist Arsh Grewal, Founder of bespoke footwear brand The Shoe Factory Nina Dutta, Kuchipudi Dancer Divyangna Ahuja, International Violinist Madina, and Creative Director of Shanti Banaras Khushi Shah each presenting a memory that made them who they are.
For Khushi Shah, Creative Director of Shanti Banaras this was a memory of her grandmother, “My grandmother would always wear the humble tulsi mala and during this shoot that celebrates nostalgia I couldn’t think of anything more comforting to present to the world.”
Nina Dutta chose a piece of home choosing to have a bedsheet her grandmother made for Nina’s mother’s birth. This sheet is now a family heirloom passed down two generations, and Nina hopes, more. Arsh Grewal chose her beeji’s alarm clock full of childhood memories. Divyangna Ahuja chose to be photographed with her grandmother’s antique mirror. Violinist Madina asked to be photographed with her first violin, the one that began the journey she has chosen to be her path. Kethosee Nagi also honors memories of her grandmother with a piece of jewelry. Aparna Verma chose a Jamavar shawl of her mother bringing back memories of long conversations about art and traditional craft technique.
This collection and the craft of photographing it is a reminder to appreciate the little moments, those life experiences that become nostalgic with the passing of time.
Here are Instagram links to the teaser:
– https://www.instagram.com/p/CpfjFKfPap2/
– https://www.instagram.com/p/CpfODyiPPkT/
