Ek Anek: On Perspectives and Photography

ByDevi Kashyap
•October 19, 2025•3 min read

Everyone has two eyes, but no two have the same view.

Magic is made in those moments when a photographer stands with a camera in hand and begins the search for not just a view, but the view- the one they get to call their own. The slight angle of the camera, the smallest shifts in the ISO, the change in focus- that’s what defines the perspectives that lie in every photo. It’s what turns a 2-D image into an experience of not just the eyes, but also the heart and the mind.

The Photo Exhibition held on September 17th, in TMA Pai Halls KMC celebrated the artwork of the winners of the MAHE National Photo contest 2025. The themes of the contest were Megh Malhar, meaning cloud and rain, and My MAHE My Campus, showcasing our beloved campus in the many hues that it comes in.

In that cozy well-lit room, with soft music playing in the background, lay countless stories conveyed through snapshots from all around the country. Who knew that simply walking around a photo gallery could be a journey through space, time, and also of what lies deep within.

Image by Devi for MTTN

Umbrellas that shelter in one picture, become the spotlight in the next. The raindrops that inspire awe in one picture, bring tears in the next. The radiant smiles etched on these photos make your own face mirror them; and the mischief that lies inspires you to join in the fun! The contrasts in each photo make the other more beautiful. It brings to mind a strange sort of nostalgia- even of moments we’ve never seen before and yet yearn to. From bull races, to floating in the midst of floods- wasn’t life made to be experienced? Perhaps it is through these stories, these photographs that we learn to live in each of these moments whether we get to be in that moment or not.

But there are often moments that we have the opportunity to be in, and yet- are so far away from.

Many students pass the students plaza but very few actually see it. Buried in their phones, their thoughts, their stress of endless arrays of deadlines- it’s strange how fast the moments slip by. But that’s the magic of photography, it slows down these moments in time and inspires us to want to go back and see- go back and experience.

The lenses of these talented photographers that call Manipal their own captured this very spirit- the spirit of capturing each moment. The exhibition had so many frames showcasing the student plaza, but no two captured the same angle, emotion, or the same hue of the dynamic skies of Manipal. It reminded us that the grand colosseum that lies at the center of the MAHE-experience is (also) never seen with the same outfit twice!

Image by Devi for MTTN

The photographs carry in them little whispers of memories- memories of a campus, memories of a basketball match, memories of evenings under spotlights, or trees, or fluffy clouds.

Memories of sending paper boats down rivulets of rain, or memories of throwing our cares with our umbrellas and smiling into the cold rain.
These are all memories that will remain forever immortalized in our hearts and minds, and leave us yearning to experience more.
Isn’t that what Manipal is?
Isn’t that what Life is?
Isn’t that what Photography is…