Shinjini Kulkarni

Some collaborations arrive unexpectedly, yet feel destined. My journey with classical dancer Shinjini Kulkarni began when she was looking for a photographer in Delhi. As an admirer of her legendary grandfather, Pandit Birju Maharaj, the chance to collaborate with her carried a deep personal significance.

I first reached out through her Instagram story, where she had mentioned her requirement. To my delight, she responded and connected me with her manager. Initially, the idea was to create a set of photographs she had in mind. However, I felt that when two artists collaborate, the result should go beyond documentation—it should evolve into visual storytelling.

After several conversations, we decided to craft a fine art series that highlighted the strength, rhythm, and grace of Kathak through a sequence of powerful poses. The goal was not only to capture Shinjini as a dancer, but to portray her artistry as a timeless force, suspended between tradition and contemporary interpretation.

To bring this vision to life, I collaborated with my friend Abhishek Sharma, an exceptional fashion photographer, who guided the aesthetic direction and helped create the set. The process became a true confluence of disciplines—classical dance, fine art, and photography.

The series that emerged is more than a collection of portraits. It is a celebration of movement, expression, and legacy—an exploration of how Kathak can be reimagined through the lens of fine art photography.

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Here’s a glimpse of the series we created together