India in 2022 through the lens of Parmeet Sahni, owner of the Soulful Memories Photography

In conversation with Parmeet Sahni, it was clear that we were on this epic trip to eight different cities in India through her pictures. A planned trip in the middle of the pandemic that was purely out of passion for photography, love for travel and most importantly a closure from a chapter most integral to her life.

The ace photographer got to relive her missed opportunities to travel that the pandemic had halted for everyone. A soulful trip that was spiritual, where she got to explore and bring out a side of herself which was little known to her. Also, to her surprise she witnessed changes in India where, particularly in Mizoram, every single person adhered to rules and wore face masks to combat the spread of virus, which is very unlike in India.

From Kutch to Mizoram the trip was nothing but a fulfilling one in every aspect. Especially at the time of Holi festival, it was a treat to watch people at the banks of river Ganga in Kashi, Varanasi.

Kashi is a place that is known for one of the best Holi celebrations, and as a female photographer, it is not very safe to be amongst the crowd and capture the moments, yet Parmeet did not hesitate even once to make arrangement with the owners of the Amritara Suryauday Haveli that could give her direct access to the mesmerizing views of Ganges. A culture filled with colors and a festival to uplift it, what more can you ask?

“My purpose to capture the pictures when I am travelling is basically to bring out the culture, colors, and different notions about India” says Parmeet.

When the family migrated to New Zealand 13 years ago, the only thing that she regretted leaving behind was around 10,000 albums of her daughter that she loved collecting as memories. “I had albums of printed pictures of my daughter, like her first step, her first pony, I even use to get some of them along with me whenever I made a trip back to India” she exclaims.

“My entire life I have been in front of the camera, I was a model in my early days and always been around photographers who have done my pictures” she adds.

Eight years back photography happened for Parmeet when her younger daughter ignited the passion in her by posing in front of her lens. Later, when these pictures were posted on Facebook and other social media channels people inquired about the photographer who did the photoshoot and wanted to get there's done from the same.

Somewhere she gives her younger daughter credits for the photographic journey she embarked on, but then ultimately, it’s the passion that leads you to a different path.

When Parmeet is doing photoshoots and capturing pictures for her clients; she is working on creating memories for them, but when she is travelling and doing her travel photography that is another level, “I am doing that for my soul” she says.

The name of the company ‘Soulful Memories’ was kept after much pondering as it was something she wanted to feel connected with, it was something done with her heart and soul coupled with a lot of emotions.

When probed further on why was this such a touching trip and what kind of closure she was looking for, we are informed that her mother had passed away during this period. She had gone back to her hometown; Delhi to make peace with this grief and the void left when someone so close departs.

At Yamuna Ghat during sunrise, she was trying to come to this closure and come in terms with the fact that the call she receives from her mother every time she used to be in India; won’t come this time.

But closure happened for Parmeet at Varanasi, with silent tears not overpowering her celebration for love she says when she saw cremations happening near river Ganga, where if not thousands but hundreds of human bodies were being cremated, that is when reality struck – one day everyone must die.

She made peace with the fact that her mother has gone away, happy and contented, but the only regret was that being her daughter she was not around her during this stage.

Here are questions that we asked her for the sake of all the alluring pictures captured on her trip to India this March.

Question: How was your experience visiting India when you were on this photographic trip in the middle of the pandemic? We hear there is an exhibition happening to portray this trip.

Parmeet: This trip was always on the edge as Covid as a pandemic is far from over, and I had not packed my luggage till the last hour. As a photographer I had to be mentally prepared that anything can happen, like I might get a call to cancel or postpone the trip if there are covid positive cases. The travel now a days or at the time I was traveling was and is uncertain.

Even if you have tickets booked and, in your hand, you do not know if you are going to fly or not. The excitement was not there, you are more worried about the rules and regulations around testing, other covid parameters that were followed in other countries.

The pressure was immense as I had commitments to shoot for my clients and getting a negative test till you fly off was important, and this got me sick and worried. But then I kept positive and not ‘covid positive’ for the trip to go smoothly.

The exhibition is basically going to talk about different zones of India. The viewers will be able to see eight cities through the captures. Starting from Gujrat, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali, Varanasi, Rishikesh, Kolkata, Mizoram and Delhi. This trip was mainly, of course due to covid, since people haven’t travelled in a while; through my pictures they can at least see the other side of the world and what India all is about.

The date for the exhibition is yet to be finalized but you can get all the updates on the Facebook page – Soulful Memories Photography.

Question: What did this trip teach you or was there some special experience that you would like to share with the readers

Parmeet: This trip definitely teaches me that life is beyond materialistic things, it is very important to be humble and support people. Living in New Zealand, like we have faced covid where we have been taken care by the government, friends and family, but when you travel to countries like India where not every family was supported by the government or given subsidy by the authorities, how people must have survived? But they were still happy in whatever they had, as a traveler I personally interacted with them and their families.

Question: Any specific location, picture or a moment captured that is special to you in this trip?

Parmeet: Last city Mizoram left a special impression in my heart as I was invited for dinner by my travel guide to come and meet his family. They amazed me with the home-made food and the layout on the table for their guest. The hospitality was such that the guide’s mum even gave a message on my bruises, and not only that but also did prayers for my safe travels. In return next day I did a photoshoot for the family where even I was treated just like a family draped with their traditional cloths. I was told that next time whenever I am visiting Mizoram, I should stay with them and not in any hotels.

Question: Your message to anyone who appreciates art in the form of photography and is keen to attend this upcoming exhibition.

Parmeet: I would say there are no rules for photography, never be afraid of clicking pictures and how to take it, be confident, talk to people, capture the moments as there is no rules for photography. I get asked all the time how to become a professional photographer? I say touch people’s heart, technology is upgrading every day, and every photographer is learning each day.

(The pictures published are copyright of Soulful Memories Photography, if you require more information kindly email Parmeet Sahni at soulfulmemoriesbyps@gmail.com) - Vritti Parasher