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.

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.