Raghav Pasricha is a photographer who works across multiple genres. An M.Phil in Visual Anthropology, he was awarded a Nazar Foundation grant; his academic expertise complements his photographic practice, structuring narratives from the perspective of his subjects. Since 2022, in response to violence and religious polarisation, he has been documenting syncretic traditions in India that speak of shared humanity – beyond gender, class, caste and religion.
In the orange glow of renunciation lies the courage to face the vast blankness of the universe and to root faith in the enduring essence of humanity. This is the world of the Bauls and Fakirs of Bengal – mystics who dismantle the walls that divide us through their music and philosophy. Raghav Pasricha and Eva Zanettin embarked on a journey in 2023, inspired by the music of Pasricha’s aunt that led them to the Kenduli Mela, a vibrant gathering of Bauls. Their path took them through Bardhaman, Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura, Murshidabad, and Gaurbhanga, where they documented the layered histories and living practices of Baul and Fakir traditions. Combining visuals and poetry, this exhibition immerses viewers in a vibrant tradition that transcends barriers. In the Bauls’ quiet ease, their songs, and connection to the world around them, we find a path forward – not of escape but of engagement, where the divine resides not above but within and between us all.
