"The Ageless Portrait" was conceived in my mind a couple of years ago while I was looking at black-and-white portraits of tribal communities in India. The tribal people are incredibly distinct in their physical features, languages, food, and cultural practices. But what captivated me most was their deep social bonds.

In particular, I was drawn to the reverence shown toward the village elder — a figure of care, wisdom, and quiet leadership. One day, I witnessed an elder telling a folklore story to a group of children, who listened with rapt attention. It was a beautiful, timeless moment, and I felt a deep urge to capture this enduring tradition of storytelling through my lens.

As a doctor, I’ve been granted a unique privilege — a license, so to speak — to explore the depths of the human mind and soul. Our training fosters empathy toward all forms of life, not just fellow human beings. We accompany people through every stage of existence, from the first cry at birth to the silence of death — the two eternal constants. With such exposure, doctors often develop a ‘third eye’ — a deeper sensitivity that helps us see and capture moments that others may overlook.

The people in this photograph belong to the Shabor tribe, native to the eastern regions of India. They are spread across a few districts, and I’ve come to know their way of life, their dietary habits, and the intricacies of their social structures. I was introduced to them by a couple of photographer friends, and since then, they have left a lasting impression on me.

This photograph, I believe, must exist only in black and white. The raw simplicity of their lives, the strength of their intergenerational bonds, and the boldness of their characters are best expressed through the subtle interplay of blacks, whites, and grays.

I draw inspiration from masters like Ansel Adams, Tatsuo Suzuki, and Henri Cartier-Bresson — artists who knew how to find truth in fleeting moments.