Delhi got a quiet slice of Kerala this week-no coconut trees or backwaters, but plenty of stories-at the launch of Lenscape Kerala 2026, a travelling photography exhibition curated by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
Hosted at the Travancore Palace Art Gallery, the exhibition brings together 100 carefully curated photographs shot by 10 leading travel and media photographers from across India. Together, they offer a layered visual narrative of Kerala-its landscapes, people, rituals, and everyday moments that often escape postcards.
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The Inauguration in Delhi
The Delhi edition marked the first stop of this ten-city travelling exhibition. The inaugural ceremony took place on January 20, 2026, with the exhibition open to the public for viewing from January 21 to 23, 2026, between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.
While P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Honourable Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala, was scheduled to attend in person, he inaugurated the exhibition online due to last-minute constraints. The launch event still saw a strong presence from tourism officials, photographers, media, and invited guests, followed by a walkthrough of the exhibition and cultural interactions.
What the Exhibition Explores
Lenscape Kerala doesn’t chase dramatic frames alone. The photographs move fluidly through:
- Heritage and architecture
- Backwaters and coastal life
- Rural landscapes and festivals
- Wildlife, spirituality, and everyday life
Seen together, the images feel less like a tourism brochure and more like a conversation between the photographer and the land, and eventually, with the viewer.
The Participating Photographers
The exhibition features work by ten photographers, each bringing their own lens language to Kerala:
- Aishwarya Sridhar
- Amit Pasricha
- H Satish
- Kounteya Sinha
- Manoj Arora
- Natasha Rattar Hemrajani
- Saibal Das
- Saurabh Anand Chatterjee
- Shilpa Mehta
- Umesh Gogna
Rather than individual showcases, the exhibition weaves their perspectives together-allowing forests to sit next to kitchens, temples next to fishing boats, and festivals next to quiet village mornings.
Director of Photography: Balan Madhavan
The photographic direction of Lenscape Kerala is led by Balan Madhavan, a senior photographer and conservationist whose work has long been associated with Kerala Tourism’s visual identity.
Known for his deep engagement with nature, ecology, and storytelling through images, Madhavan has played a key role in shaping how Kerala has been visually presented to the world over the decades. His approach here is understated – letting images breathe, rather than forcing a narrative.
Curated by Uma Nair
The exhibition is curated by Uma Nair, an art critic and curator with over three decades of experience in modern and contemporary Indian art.
Her curatorial sensibility is evident in the pacing of the exhibition—how one image leads to another, how themes subtly shift, and how viewers are encouraged to pause rather than scroll. The show balances artistic intent with accessibility, making it engaging even for visitors who may not usually walk into photo exhibitions.
Also Read: Kumbalangi – A Unique Ecotourism village in Kerala
A Travelling Exhibition With a Purpose
Lenscape Kerala is designed as a travelling exhibition, scheduled to visit 10 Indian cities by March 2026. Beyond promotion, it functions as a public outreach initiative, bringing Kerala’s stories into galleries, city by city, and inviting audiences to engage with the state beyond stereotypes.
As travel writers who’ve experienced Kerala across multiple trips, what stood out for us was how familiar scenes still felt fresh when framed with honesty and restraint. No visual noise, no rush-just moments that linger.
Visiting Details (Delhi Edition)
- Venue: Travancore Palace Art Gallery, New Delhi
- Inauguration: 20 January 2026
- Public Viewing: 21–23 January 2026
- Timings: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry: Open to all
If you’re someone who enjoys travel stories told slowly through faces, light, and lived-in spaces, Lenscape Kerala is worth your time. Walk in without expectations. Let the images do the talking.
I enjoy seeing photography that skips the usual postcard views and focuses on quiet village mornings or kitchens instead. Having such a diverse group of photographers really gives a better sense of how the land actually feels.
Interesting!
What a wonderful way to showcase the beauty and culture of Kerala through photography. I love how you described the exhibition as a conversation between the photographer, the land, and the viewer. It sounds like an awesome experience, and the idea of taking this exhibition to multiple cities is so cool.
I would be interested to explore more about the mix of traditional dance visuals with modern photography — your sharing here gave me a sense of Kerala’s energy, thanks!
welcome!
This looks like such a fantastic and immersive exhibition to have the opportunity to see in-person! I wish that I was able to travel to Kerala and see it for myself; Kerala is such a gorgeous place to explore!
I loved reading about the Lenscape Kerala exhibition. What a beautiful way to experience Kerala’s diversity through someone else’s lens. Your post makes it easy to imagine the vibrant colors, landscapes, and everyday life captured in those 100 photographs, and it feels like a visual journey of its own. It’s the kind of cultural showcase that inspires wanderlust and reminds us how powerful storytelling through photography can be.
I like how the photographs focus not only on famous places but also on everyday life and culture. It must be very powerful to see Kerala through so many different perspectives!
indeed
These pieces are so beautiful! This is the kind of art show that draws me in and keeps me wandering between the works for hours.
Very interesting exhibition and a great idea to take it through different cities. Photography is an art and these kind of exhibitions prove it.
Agree
What a wonderful exhibition featuring important artworks from the region. It would have been nice to show us more of the submissions on your blog. I'd love to visit some day. It sounds like a great show.
it was!