Kashmir

Stories (Through Photography)

M.K. Gautam aka MKG is a gypsy soul self taught photographer on a mission to bring the world closer to you through his photos under his banner “MKGpictures”. His picturesque narrative blossoms the soul of the story embedded in each frame celebrating the existence. His visual poetry has won 126 awards and recognition’s from various national and international organisations including National Geographic and World Photographic Forum, featured in 17 exhibitions across the globe. MKG has been voted top creative photographer in the world by WPF and Rediff.com selected his work among the “10 mesmerising photographs in India”. His travelogue has graced the pages of 19 world leading publications including Chiiz, Parliament Street, Diplomats, Indian Photo Arts and Construction World.

He found me capturing him in his golden moments.

Episode 7

There was something, something more than just intoxication, that his eyes automatically got closed when he inhaled from the cigarette. Few moments later when he returned to normalcy of life and opened his eyes, he found me capturing him in his golden moments. He exhaled the smoke towards me and smiled, announcing without uttering a word that in this golden era of his life he does not give a damn what’s going around and just wants to enjoy his moments and had another “sutta”.

Episode 8

Completely submerged in the morning silence of the Dal (Lake)

Some are not faces but a complex story; this was one of them. When everyone was allured by the meadows of gold, we met near the tea shop. On the first look, it was revealed by the deep lines on his face that he has not lived an ordinary life; In fact the life has lived him fabulously. Every inch of that line was hard earned and the eyes rocked even the rocky stone of Sonamarg, a true mountaineer shepherd.

Episode 9

A beautiful city in the valley of Kashmir, A soulful lake in the city of Srinagar, An amazing island in the Dal Lake, And a princess in the Char Chinar. A fairy tale at its best.

Episode 10

As you start horse riding from the sonamarg to basecamp, the next hour of your life witness the best of the beautiful on this planet called earth. Eyes forget to blink as nature’s magic surrounds the ‘mighty’ human. Is this called Picturesque?

Episode 11 Episode 12

Enroute to my journey on the horse from base camp to “Baisaran”, I encountered her. Draped her head beautifully in a green scarf, she was standing near her hamlet in the “valley of shepherds (Pahalgam)” holding a goat. She was offering the tourist to hold the goat in return for a small tip. I clicked, paid and told her that the goat looks more beautiful in her hands. She smiled and kept the money; I smiled and looked at her picture in the camera. We both got what we wanted with a complementary smile free. Isn’t a good deal?

Even before you enter the gate, a magical fragrance makes you curious of what you are going to witness. Appx. 600 years old founded by “Jahangir” is an ultimate beauty, the “Shalimar Garden” at Srinagar. You will cherish the very moment of your life you spent surrounded by nature at its best as it heals not your body but your soul. The magical fragrance of the flowers leaves its footprint on your soul for forever.

Have you ever seen a beautiful “Mirage”? Chilled wind and lack of oxygen, test more than your determination and will to capture nature at its best. Every step towards the peak was made by making your own trail over the mighty rocks. However, nature always rewards your efforts in multifold. This is what I found on the peak. A beautiful “Mirage”, white clouds submerged with white snow peaks at 12293 ft. Afarwat Peak, Gulmarg.

A heart beating ride on “Gandola” from Gulmarg base camp to Phase –II lands you in no man's zone among the breathtaking snow clad peaks. Mighty cool winds challenge not only your courage to face them but your very existence on the peaks. Beauty of the mountain peaks takes away the breath as one struggle with low oxygen but then that's what makes a photographer a “Mountaingrapher”.