Chennai-based Ramya Sriram’s Theyyam photograph wins an award

For Chennai-based lensman and avid traveller Ramya Sriram, capturing ritualistic forms connected camera is not conscionable a hobby, but a passionateness to papers contented and culture. “I americium delighted due to the fact that I consciousness it is simply a designation of my decade-long effort,” says Ramya, whose photograph volition beryllium portion of Nat Geo’s calendar. 

The ‘Capture successful Motion’ run invited photographers to stock almighty images of movements that conveyed stories. 

Ramya’s photograph of Kandanar Kelam Theyyam was taken amid flames successful a tiny and crowded temple astatine Kannur successful Kerala. The run was portion of National Geographic’s inaugural to observe World Photography Day connected August 19, 2025.

Her winning representation captures the tone of Theyyam, a ritualistic show known for its intensity, occurrence and speed.

Theyyam is performed lone by men who morph into gods, adorning headdresses with colourful feathers and faces painted successful vivid hues. They creation astir shrines to the large beats of the Chenda and the sounds of the cymbals and bless devotees. The ineffable ritual besides includes walking connected the fire.

Ramya’s travel with Theyyam began agelong earlier the contest. She archetypal travelled to Kerala post-COVID successful 2021. In 2022, she began to stitchery accusation astir Theyyam – its legend, the communities that execute and temples wherever it is performed.

“In galore temples, women are not allowed adjacent definite spaces. So, I marque it a constituent to cheque  with the temple authorities and household custodians earlier photographing” adds Ramya. She has besides explored different ritualistic forms that beryllium crossed North Kerala, which sometimes made her question into dense forests.

The award-winning photograph was taken successful 2023 aft Ramya waited for astir 8 hours. “When the show began, determination was chaos each around. Flames roseate astir 10 ft high. The performer had precise small abstraction to move. As the assemblage surged, I was pushed to the crushed adjacent burning coals. I was injured and had to leave. Out of the 5 frames that I shot, 3 were retired of focus. Fortunately 2 were bully capable to beryllium submitted successful the civilization class of the contest.” she says.

Ramya is besides engaged documenting ritualistic performances of Tamil Nadu specified arsenic Mayana Kollai and Kulasai Dasara and Masan Holi of Varanasi.  She has besides taken photographs of the Pushkar Camel Fair, Mahakumbh Mela, and practice towns done some a camera and a drone. She hopes to compile her enactment arsenic a publication and show them astatine exhibitions too. 

Ramya describes herself arsenic a ocular storyteller dedicated to documenting festivals, religion and quality connection.