Landscape Photography
Nepal’s greatest treasure is its diverse geography, which developed variations in climatic condition and multiple regions within a small footprint. From the Himalayan outback in the north to the medley of hills in the centre and seemingly endless flatland of terai, Nepal’s topography is a boon that keeps on giving.
Some of the greatest landscape destination of Nepal are as follows:
1. Everest Region
2. Manaslu Region
3. Upper Mustang
4. Lower and upper Dolpa
5. Far-western Region (Khaptad, Api Himal)
6. Eastern Nepal (Illam, Kanchanjunga)
These are just a few examples which boast beautiful topography and natural beauty. Accessing these areas is difficult, some require carrying tents and provisions but this remoteness has helped preserve the regions setting and yonder.
Architectural Photography
Diving into the realm of architecture, Nepal offers remanences of a bygone era portrayed in its facades. Some of the architectural styles spread around Nepal are as follows:
1. Nomadic tents and stone masonry in the upper himalayan region
2. Newar masonry in central and lower Nepal (Kathmandu Valley, Palpa, Bandipur, Dolakha)
3. Baroque architecture (Popular during the Rana Era of Nepal)
4. Temple architecture
a) Shikhara (Pinnacle)
b) Pagoda (Tier)
c) Stupa (Dome)
5. Mathali mud houses
6. Tharu style
7. Golghar (Pavilion style)
These dwellings and temples snapped with a fluid background is a picture worth framing. The nomadic lifestyle in the upper-Himalayas of the chauri (yak) herders is a sight to behold. A stroll in the stone-clad architecture of the Himalayas takes you to a place beyond time.
Newar masonry is distinct and was spread all over Nepal by Newar merchants during their trade endeavours. Its use of red brick, carved wood and clay tiles creates a great view at all hours. Baroque architecture was introduced in Nepal by the Rana clan, who ruled Nepal for two centuries. Palaces featuring elegant white masonry made in multiple parts of Nepal became a hallmark of the Rana clan.
In terms of temple architecture, three designs (shikhara, pagoda and stupa) have a stronghold in all parts of Nepal. Shikhara was a popular style of temple making in most parts of Old India. Its siblings Verma and Dravidian style, however, hasn’t been used much in Nepal. Pagoda style migrated downwards from the north and has a strong influence in multiple cultures. It was used widely in Newar temple making with additions of wooden struts (tudal) and thorana.
The stupa style has multiple variations, which are found all over Nepal. It is a marquee of Vajrayana Buddhist culture, and it has great significance. It developed in ancient Nepal and spread globally with Buddhist culture. The most iconic examples of this building technique are Swayambhu, Khasti Maha Chaitya (Bouddhanath) and Swetachaitya (White Dagoba pioneered by Ariniko).
Food Photography
Food? Yes, food!
A beautiful platter at the end of the day is a mixture of natural and cultural diversity. Nature provides the freshest ingredients, some endemic (native) to one region, whereas culture develops cuisine.
Just as Nepal has various trekking regions, geographical divisions and cultural distinctions, we also have regional cuisine that deserves the spotlight.
When I was younger, three square meals a day was a luxury. I was born during the transitional phase ( feudalism to capitalism) and grew up during the civil war. With the advent of modernization, I like my age group craved from western delights such as pizza, burger, spaghetti and shunned regional cuisine.
I was lucky to have had great tenants who were from various parts of Nepal. They came to Kathmandu for a better life, and with them came their cuisine. Today, it feels like an honour to have experienced such variety at a young age.
Trans-Himalayan to Newari, Thakali, Limbu and Tharu, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our assortment in the genre of food. Tasting them in their native region and instilling them in a frame is an adventure beyond reckoning.
