Have you ever felt a pull toward places steeped in history, where every stone has a story to tell? When I first learned about Hampi, I was a school kid, sitting in a classroom and flipping through history textbooks. The tales of the Vijayanagara Empire, the grandeur of its temples, and the rise and fall of this mighty civilization captured my imagination. Yet, even with all the curiosity bubbling inside me, it would take years before I finally set foot in that ancient city. My journey began in 2011, not as a historian but as a photographer, someone who had found a new lens—quite literally—through which to explore the world.
There was always this constant urge to explore places that held stories from centuries past, places where every stone whispered secrets of those who had walked before us. Hampi, with its enigmatic ruins and rich history, was the perfect destination to satisfy this longing.
It wasn’t until December 2013 that I finally made the six-hour drive from Bengaluru to Hampi, a journey of 350 kilometers that would take me back in time. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as I approached the UNESCO World Heritage site. I was about to walk the same paths that had once been trodden by kings and commoners alike, where battles had been fought and lost, and where temples stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time.
Stepping into Hampi was like being transported to another world. The air was thick with history, and every ruin, every boulder, seemed to have a story to tell. I felt like an explorer, a detective piecing together fragments of a lost civilization. The landscape was dotted with the remains of temples, palaces, and marketplaces, each structure bearing the scars of time yet standing proud in its own right. I was hooked.
My first visit was all about discovery. I wandered through the ruins with wide-eyed wonder, my camera clicking away at every turn. I didn’t have a plan or a particular shot in mind; I was simply trying to capture the essence of what I was seeing, the beauty and the mystery that lay in every corner. My memory cards filled up quickly, each image a piece of a puzzle I was eager to solve.
Over the years, I’ve returned to Hampi almost annually. Each visit has brought with it new experiences, new perspectives, and new stories. The place never ceases to amaze me. It’s like a book you can read over and over, each time discovering something you hadn’t noticed before. And with every trip, my photography has evolved, just as my understanding of Hampi has deepened.
There was a point in my journey when I decided to switch to black-and-white photography. It was a deliberate choice, one that I felt would allow me to connect more deeply with the place. Without the distraction of color, I could focus on the textures, the contrasts, and the play of light and shadow that brought out the true character of the ruins. Hampi became more than just a historical site; it became an abstract form of art through my lens.
Eleven visits in, and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. The more I explore, the more I realize how much there is to learn, not just about the architecture and the battles but about the people who lived here—their daily lives, their hopes and dreams, and how they saw the world around them. Did they ever imagine a future like ours? What did they think as they built these massive structures, as they carved out these intricate details in stone? These are the questions that keep me coming back, the mysteries that drive my art.
There’s a certain magic in black-and-white photography. It strips away the superficial and reveals the core, the soul of the subject. In Hampi, that soul is ancient and timeless, a reflection of a bygone era that still resonates today. Every photograph I take feels like a story waiting to be told, a moment captured in time that invites the viewer to step into the past and imagine what once was.
One of the most memorable stories I’ve heard about Hampi is the tale of gold and diamonds being sold in the bazaars opposite the temple. It’s hard to believe, standing there among the ruins, that this place was once a bustling marketplace, a hub of trade and commerce. And then there are the legends of foreign visitors and kings who came from far and wide to witness the glory of Hampi, of battles like the one at Rakkasa Tangadi, and of course, the famous stone chariot and musical pillars in the Vijaya Vittala temple complex.
The myths and legends of the Ramayana also find a home here, with Lord Hanuman’s birthplace, Kishkinda, and the stories of Vali and Sugreeva. It’s these layers of history, myth, and legend that make Hampi such a fascinating place to explore, both as a photographer and as someone who simply loves a good story.
Looking back on my decade-long journey, I realize how much Hampi has shaped me, not just as a photographer but as a person. I’ve met so many incredible people, made lifelong friends, and discovered new possibilities, both in my art and in life. Hampi has become a part of me, a place I return to again and again, not just to capture its beauty but to reconnect with its spirit.
As I prepare for my next visit, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. There’s always something new to discover, a new angle to explore, a new story to uncover. Hampi, with its rich history and enigmatic ruins, continues to be a source of inspiration. My journey through this ancient city is far from over, and I look forward to many more visits, each time seeing it with fresh eyes and capturing its timeless essence through the lens of black-and-white photography.
Also, checkout: The Heritage of Hampi
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