Navin Paul Photography, Chennai (2026)

11/08/2023

"A Pawsitive Bond"
As I ventured into the woods, little did I know that destiny had a surprise in store. A mysterious black dog, adorned with an air of enigma joined me on the trek, as if drawn by the call of adventure. With each step our companionship grew, a silent understanding born from a shared love for the wild. Together, we ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, following the trail that led to a roaring waterfall. Its presence, concealed by the lush foliage. As the dog stood beside the waterfall, a bond between creature & creation seemed to hum in the air – an untamed spirit mirroring the untamed cascade. The misty sky also played its part in this enchanting scene, a shroud that wrapped the surroundings in an ethereal cloak. It was as if the heavens themselves had leaned down to kiss the earth, leaving behind a tender embrace of fog & dreams. 🐕⛰️

D850.
16-35mm f/4.

13/05/2023

—PRINT SALE—

I’m running a print sale from the images I took during my All India Cycle Tour. Few images are shown above for visualisation purpose only.

All images are printed on archival Hahnemühle Photo rag paper. Images are available in two sizes:

16 x 24”
24 x 36”

Your support is appreciated and needed to fund the rest of my trip.
DM me for the prices & orders.

22/04/2023

‘Jungle Oasis’, Meghalaya

I ventured into the forests of the East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya trying to find this hidden waterfall that the locals talked about. Amidst the lush greenery of the jungle, a stunning fan waterfall cascades into an aqua green pool, inviting the adventurous spirit in us all & I was in complete awe of its beauty.

As I sat there pondering I couldn't help but wonder about the future of these precious places. Will they continue to exist in all their glory for generations to come, or will they fall prey to human greed and neglect? I wonder how many people go through their lives without seeing nature like I did today. Hiking to this breathtaking spot was a privilege, but seeing the litter and waste left behind by careless visitors was a disappointment. Let's remember that our actions have consequences, and we all have a responsibility to protect the natural beauty that surrounds us. The river runs dry, the water is polluted, and the wildlife is no more. In-spite of being an important source of drinking water for the local people, this beautiful spot is in danger of being destroyed by rapid industrialisation.

‘So beautiful and serene when you're here, So sad and quiet when you leave.’

Mother Nature never fails to awe us with her beauty, but she needs our protection now more than ever. Let's remember to be mindful of our actions and their impact on the environment. As we celebrate Earth Day, let's remember to protect our natural wonders and conserve our precious resources for future generations to come. 🌍

D850.
14-24mm f/2.8.

18/04/2023

‘Sanctuary of Gaia’, Meghalaya,India

I had always been fascinated by caves & Meghalaya is incredible for caving lovers, it's certainly India’s caver's heaven. The region amasses more than 1000 caves & has the most caves on the whole Indian sub-continent. The reason for this prosperity of caves is the considerable quantity of limestone residues & the climate, which delivers tons of acid water to carve out these caves over millions of years. My walk began from Brishirnot village, in the East Jaintia Hills district. I was accompanied by Titos, a local from the village. We started our 3km hike through the dense temperate rainforest through a very narrow path made by the villagers for wood logging, across suspension rope bridges & climbing steep, craggy rock paths . Along the way, I got to experience the incredible beauty of giant ferns & fungi-covered logs dominating the understory, with towering bamboos on all sides. After almost 3 hours of hiking, drenched in sweat we climbed up the last couple of boulders & finally reached the mouth of the Chympe Cave or Krem Chympe as the locals call it. We watched in awe as the mysterious river disappeared into a subterranean womb. As I took this photograph I marvelled at nature’s ancient & mysterious creations that challenge our imagination. I see a stark visual in my mind, this magnificent river cave running under an entire hill, adjacent with another looming reality close by- a massive conveyor belt of a cement factory dominating the landscape. Freezing from the cold water, I realised that this fragile habitat is precious & holds so much more in its folds. It is an irreplaceable habitat, a sanctuary of Mother Earth.

D850.
14-24mm f/2.8.

17/03/2023

"Roots Of Sohra", Meghalaya, India

Located in a village named Nongriat, this cobweb of nature; the double-decker living root bridge spans about 30 metres long & situated 2400 feet down in the valley. A climb down of about 3500 stairs is required just to have a glimpse at this nature's marvel. The trek starts from a village named Tyrna, which is about 13 kilometres away from Cherapunjee town (Sohra) in Meghalaya.

The villagers here discovered the unique quality of the roots of the Indian rubber tree as it develops aerial roots that grow above the ground which in turn can be used to build bridges across flooding rivers. Rubber trees were planted on both sides of the river; their roots pulled, tied and twisted together as they grew. They channelled the roots through hollow canes of betel trees & directed their growth in the direction to reach the opposite bank. Once the aerial roots reached the other side of the bank, they were grounded into the soil and allowed to pe*****te into its depths, thus forming a bridge. A temporary structure built out of wood or bamboo was placed on the bridge, which acted as a scaffolding for the roots to grow. The roots eventually merge & strengthened over time to form a strong bridge.

These root bridges provided people living in remote villages in Meghalaya to reach the bigger towns to sell their produce, send children to school, or get to a doctor. They also stabilise the soil and prevent soil erosion & landslides in such rain-affected areas. They are alive & gain more strength over the years.

The art of building these root bridges is believed to be over 250 years. Once fully grown, these bridges are said to last for years. Some roots grow old and decay, however new ones grow and take their place, providing long-term stability.

D850.
14-24mm f/2.8.

04/03/2023

"Bleached Canyon" Meghalaya,India

Nature never ceases to surprise me in Meghalaya, it reminds me a lot of my homeland back in Kerala, be it the gorgeous waterfalls, unique caves or the sacred forests, maybe that’s why some of the tribes of Meghalaya worship nature. And perhaps that is why everyone visiting the state cannot prevent themselves from falling in love with it. However Meghalaya sprung up yet another surprise in the form of the Umngot river which flows through Dawki and exits India on the Indo-Bangladesh border. The terrains through which the river flows is steep hence it makes it unfit for human habitation which is also the reason that it is the only river which does not have human settlements on its banks and retains its elixir quality. From the place of origin of the river until a few kilometers before it crosses the border, there are only 3 villages close to the river, Shnongpdeng being one among them, where I started my canoe ride upriver towards Sliang valley in Amkoi village. The whitish, gigantic glacier-like rocks were unavoidable as I progressed upriver. They immediately attracted me due to its unusual shapes and formation. After a couple of hours climbing up boulders, hiking up long and treacherous paths, wading through chest deep waters, I reached a spot where I felt the play of shadows cast on the rocks and reflections meeting the clear turquoise water overshadowing the untouched valley in the background made a frame that I envisaged.

D850.
24-70mm f/2.8.
10Stop PROND.

24/02/2023

The Abyss, Meghalaya, India

With the eagerness to do caving in Meghalaya, I reached the village of Mawsynram. I asked the locals for directions to the river cave, Krem Dam, they guided me to a staircase leading down to the valley, a kilometre east of the village. As I kept descending down the flight of stairs I heard the gurgle of water long before I spotted the river, I turn a corner… and the forest changes dramatically. An amphitheatre of nature that is nothing short of magnificent. The vast entrance to this colossal cave is a sight to behold, this cave is also a feast for the eyes with its gnarly rock formations and towering stalagmites framed with ferns & jade green vegetation, glistening as the light catches beads of water dripping down into the pools of turquoise water below.
Inside Krem Dam, the river flows horizontally and I followed the river wading through. As I disappeared into the darkness of the cave with my head torch as the only source of light, I occasionally came across frogs, huge huntsman spiders and bats which inhabit the cave. After a while, I came across natural patterns of what are probably bacterial and algal encrusting growths covering the damp rock surfaces with green, red, orange, blue and purple patches. I spent few hours setting up the camera, speedlights and extra lamps were used to light up the environment. A perfect setting for a frame to showcase the work of nature for millions of years, carving out ethereal cave habitats where water meets limestone and sandstone.

D850.
14-24mm f/2.8

19/02/2023

"Calling Of The Ancestors", Meghalaya, India
For the Khasi people of Meghalaya, a monolith is a symbol of rememberance. These stones are interlinked to their rich culture and tradition.They exist throughout the length & breadth of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, many strewn in valleys & forests of the state. The Menhirs (upright stones) represents male & Dolmens (flat stones) represents female. This complex of monoliths are placed on top of hill near Nonglang village, a fairly small village in the South West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya. When I came to know about this place the first thing that hit me was its uncanny resemblance to the Stonehenge in the UK. I spent a day around the surrounding hills and came to the site around sunset. I wanted to take a frame that captures the feel of the place and its symbolism attached to the tribes of the land. Nothing works better than capturing the place at sunset when the skies burn and the rays light up the monoliths revealing its texture.

D850.
14-24mm f/2.8.

12/02/2023

"Bloom", Assam, India
Between Assam and Meghalaya, at the foot of the Garo hills lies the beautiful Chandubi Lake. I took a boat ride in the wee hours of the morning and as I went deeper into it, I felt its enigmatic grandeur and aura hit me. The scene of this mystical lake is a wide area surrounded by hills with a thick blanket of fog which in turn left me in a trance.The beauty of the lake is further more enhanced by the blooms of water lilies & the migratory birds found in the area.

D850.
70-200m f/4.

28/12/2022

"The Emergence", Sikkim, India
Last month I went trekking in the Kangchenjunga National Park in Sikkim. It’s an amazing but an exhausting experience, trekking for 8 hours in a day through farm terraces, river streams, forests & suspension bridges. One of my night haults was in a village called Tsokha. The weather was not particularly in my favour,it was all misty & cloudy with no peaks in sight. But there was this feeling back in my mind that the mountains would never disappoint me. As I was ready to settle for the day, a huge gust of wind cleared the mist away revealing the golden peaks behind it. I quickly ran to grab my camera to capture this brief fainting moment. Maybe it’s that dose of fresh mountain air, the exercise or the litres of water I drink when I’m trekking, but I swear that after a visit to the mountains I feel enormously better. It’s as if there is an energy source in those summits that you can tap into and feed off. Getting out there literally fuels you & rebalances you; making one feel more calm & happy, less irritable or anxious. There was never a time that I left the mountains without feeling refreshed, happy & inspired, ready to take on anything that came my way.

D850.
24-70mm f/2.8

18/12/2022

The Hornbill Festival is a 10 day cultural extravaganza held every year between from the 1st- 10th of December in Kisama Village of Nagaland to encourage, nurture & promote the rich, vibrant & diverse culture of the Naga tribes & their people. Nagaland is a land of folklores, fables, brave warriors & hunters who have been eulogized by the folk songs of the land. This festival has been portraying the cultural canvas of Nagaland as well as Northeast India to the outer world for the last 23 years, while also making a positive impact on tourism of the state.
The Festival is organised by the State Government bringing together all the different cultures & festivals of the 18 Naga tribes under one platform. One can witness the traditional war dance of the Nagas, their folk music & can also get a glimpse of their unique tradition. I spent the early mornings wandering around the Morungs (community spaces in the villages of Nagaland) of the tribes to capture the performers warming up & getting dressed just before the start of their cultural performances. Here are a few faces & moments from the Hornbill Festival through my lens.

1) A tribesman from the Pochury Naga.
2) A tribeswoman from the Chakhesang Naga.
3) Tribesmen from the Ao Naga.
4) A member of the Sumi Naga demonstrating the headhunting technique which they used practice in early days.
5) Tribesmen from the Ao Naga infront of their traditional Log Drum.
6) Members of the Sumi Naga performing one of their war dances.
7) Portrait of a tribesman of the Ao Naga.
8) A tribesman of the Ao Naga adorning tiger claws around his face .
9) A tribesman of the Chakhesang Naga.
10) A tribesman of the Angami Naga.

D850
70-200mm f/4
24-70mm f/2.8

09/11/2022

‘The Zigzag Roads of East Sikkim’, India

Located in Sikkim, an Indian state in the Himalayan mountains, the Three Level Zigzag Road is one of the most hair pinned roads in the world. The road features more than 100 hairpins in just 30kms. This spiral road is located near Zuluk, a small village located in the historic Old Silk Route from Tibet to India. The Silk route in Sikkim is part of the ancient trade route which started all the way from Lhasa in Tibet to Tamluk in West Bengal, mostly trading horses, wool & tea.

D850
24--70mm f/2.8

Navin Paul Photography

11/08/2023

13/05/2023

22/04/2023

18/04/2023

17/03/2023

04/03/2023

24/02/2023

19/02/2023

12/02/2023

28/12/2022

18/12/2022

09/11/2022

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