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Celebrating World Photography Week 2025

Updated: Aug 23

It was a busy and exciting week for us at The Confluence Collective, as we curated multiple events across Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Sikkim to celebrate World Photography Week. Running from August 16th to 19th, with World Photography Day on the 19th, we successfully collaborated with local partners whose support helped make these events both meaningful and impactful. Pop-Up Photobook Library / Darjeeling

16th of August 2025 - Deshbandhu District Library, Darjeeling

The Confluence Collective, in collaboration with Darjeeling Reads and Sabaiko Saano Library, organized a Pop-Up Photobook Library at the Deshbandhu District Library. The initiative aimed to create a reflective and interactive space—inviting visitors to slow down and engage deeply with a curated collection of photobooks.

The selection of photo books was thematically centred around questions of conflict, identity, gender, and belonging, offering a quiet yet powerful medium through which to explore complex social narratives.

It was heartwarming to witness members of the community both young and elderly engaging with the collection, flipping through pages, and pausing to reflect. These moments of quiet interaction affirmed the power of visual storytelling in fostering empathy and dialogue.

At the core of this effort is our continued commitment to collaborating with local partners to curate inclusive and safe spaces where meaningful conversations can emerge. Events like these remind us of the value of community, storytelling, and the shared act of reading and reflection.

 

Introduction to Analogue Photography Workshop / Kalimpong

16th and 17th August 2025 / Cloud 9, kalimpong

The Confluence Collective successfully conducted the 3rd edition of the 'Introduction to Analogue Photography Workshop' in Kalimpong. This marks the third such workshop in the region, following earlier editions held in Darjeeling and Sikkim. These workshops aim to introduce and deepen the understanding of analogue photography among aspiring photographers in the Eastern Himalayan region.

The two-day workshop was mentored by Confluence members Ashwin Sharma, Yawan Rai, and Chinlop Fudong Lepcha, all of whom brought their expertise and passion to the learning space. The workshop hosted around ten participants, including two outstation attendees, and offered a hands-on, immersive experience in analogue photography practices—from shooting with film to developing and understanding photographic processes.

This workshop was made possible with the continued support of SRISHTI DIGILIFE, Chennai. We were honored to have Vivek Mariappan, Product Head of Film and Darkroom for India at SRISHTI DIGILIFE, present during the workshop. Srishti has been a consistent partner in supporting all of our analogue photography workshops, and their contribution has been instrumental in nurturing this practice in the region.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants, mentors, and collaborators for making this workshop a meaningful and enriching experience. We look forward to organizing more such initiatives to foster a deeper appreciation and practice of analogue photography.

3rd GMP MEMORIAL PHOTO CONTEST - KALIMPONG 19th of August / Cafe kalimpong, Kalimpong

The GMP Photo Contest 2025 was successfully held in Kalimpong, continuing the tradition of honoring the life and legacy of Ganesh Mani Pradhan. Organized annually by Focus Kalimpong in loving memory of GMP, this year’s event was presented in collaboration with The Confluence Collective.

The contest saw an overwhelming response, with over 100 entries received an encouraging sign of the growing interest and talent within the regional photography community. Participants came from Kalimpong, Siliguri, and surrounding areas, showcasing a diverse array of perspectives and themes.

Thanks to the generous support of the Ganesh Mani family, all winners were awarded cash prizes and certificates, personally presented by members of the family. Additionally, a curated exhibition featuring selected works from the contest was held in Kalimpong, offering participants a platform to showcase their creative expressions to a wider audience.

It was heartening to witness the community come together to celebrate the spirit of photography. Events like these not only keep the memory of Ganesh Mani Pradhan alive but also play a vital role in encouraging younger photographers to pursue the art form seriously and passionately. SRISHTI DIGILIFE also sponsored gift for the winners.

Winners of GMP Photo Contest 2025

  • First Prize: 20K / Vshaskar Chettri (Kalimpong)

  • Second Prize: 12K / Birat Rai (Kalimpong)

  • Third Prize: 8K / Panchen Dorjee Tamang (Siliguri)

Consolation Prizes / 5k each

  • Yogya Pradhan (Kalimpong)

  • Pranab Das (Siliguri)

Special Mention - Lomography Lomo'Instant Instant Film Camera from SRISHTI DIGILIFE

  • Suchita Pradhan (Kalimpong)

We thank all the participants, supporters, and the organizing teams who made this event a memorable success. We look forward to continuing this meaningful tradition in the years to come.

 

Archive as Inheritance: The Tse Ten Tashi Archive / Sikkim

19th August 2025 / Rachna Books, Gangtok

‘Archive as Inheritance: The Tse Ten Tashi Archive’ was organized by The Confluence Collective in collaboration with Rachna Books and The Photography Club of Sikkim. The event featured a conversation with Mr. Sonam Gyamtso Tashi, Mr. Tsegyal Tashi, and Mrs. Diki Wangchuk, reflecting on the legacy and significance of the Tse Ten Tashi Archive. We were able to organize this event with warm support from Rachna Books which has been working steadily to build this space in the heart of Sikkim. Facilitating this conversation was crucial as part of TCC’s effort on disseminating and curating stories from the place. It was a warm and heartfelt conversation where the family members shared deeply personal stories of Mr Tse Ten Tashi, which offered not only glimpses into his life and works but contributes largely to a deeper understanding of our own society and history. During the event, four female photographers Edenla Lepcha, Aakriti Thapa, Smyrna Samten Sherpa, and Ruchi Chettri from the Photography Club of Sikkim also exhibited their works at Rachna Books.

Our purpose at the TCC is to facilitate conversations and dialogues within our community, wherein lies meaningful stories of our regions. As part of the larger Himalayan region, Sikkim- Darjeeling and Kalimpong at its confluence, offers extremely pertinent and valuable insights on the colonial and post-colonial realities of the Himalayan and broader South Asian region.  These political complexities have profoundly shaped our socio-cultural histories, which we experience in our everyday spaces and existence. Through these conversations and dialogues the Confluence Collective seeks to document, preserve and disseminate knowledge of our region- our people and communities.

The Confluence Collective is a voluntary organization, and we have been working for the past five years driven by this passion and sense of purpose. We require your support in helping us render these efforts successful and sustainable in the long run. We look forward to your support in any form. Come be part of our effort at TCC. DONATE

 

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