Global Honour Through Fire and Focus: Chennai Photographer Ramya Sriram Wins Nat Geo India Worldwide Contest

Tell My Story

Chennai-based photographer Ramya Sriram has brought international recognition to India after her powerful image documenting the ritualistic Kandanar Kelan Theyyam won a global prize at the Nat Geo India Worldwide Contest 2025, earning a coveted place in the organisation’s 2026 calendar.

Overwhelmed by the honour, Ramya described the recognition as a lifelong dream come true. “To be recognised by National Geographic is widely considered the ‘Holy Grail’ for photographers — like an Oscar. No words can explain this moment of happiness. It validates my years of work and gives global recognition,” she told tellmystory.in

The award-winning photograph captures the intensity and spiritual energy of Kandanar Kelan Theyyam, a vibrant cultural ritual performed in northern Kerala, particularly in Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Ramya has been documenting Theyyam traditions for the past four years as part of a long-term documentary project focused on preserving cultural heritage through visual storytelling.

However, capturing the winning image came at a physical and emotional cost. Shot inside a small temple crowded with hundreds of photographers competing for a single moment, the environment turned chaotic as devotees and photographers surged forward amid rising flames. “Everyone was pushing and pulling. There was chaos and the fire was too high. I had to stop shooting after just five shots because I was pushed down near the fire and suffered burns on my hand, camera and clothes,” she recalled. After waiting nearly eight hours overnight for the early-morning ritual around 4 am, Ramya was forced to leave immediately after the incident.

Out of the five frames she managed to capture, three were out of focus, two were usable — and one became the award-winning image. “It’s one of the toughest Theyyams to shoot in a crowd. Cultural photography is never easy because of the time, travel and intense conditions. But the happiness it gives is on another level,” she added.

Beyond photography, Ramya now shares her expertise through workshops, including programmes with EDITN’s entrepreneurship division, along with online and offline sessions. She also plans curated photo tours, aiming to inspire the next generation of visual storytellers to document India’s diverse cultural traditions.