THE TCC PHOTO ARCHIVE
The TCC Photo Archive is a nascent but thriving archive documenting stories of the people, place, and community of the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas. The Archive at present comprises of personal, institutional, and private collections. Through these personal stories, the Archive offers critical insights into larger questions of Belonging and Identities - embedded into the socio-cultural and political fabric of the Hill society. The TCC Archive aims to localize knowledge production as a significant step forward in decolonizing narratives of the place.
How we Work -
The photographs that we collect will be digitized, catalogued, and preserved and curated in dialogue with the donors. With time it is our purpose to make the Archive accessible for academic, institutional and independent research and practitioners and general public of the region.
The TCC Photo Archive is growing each day as we work towards our objective of re-telling the stories of the communities that make up Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills.
Our hope is to build a more representative and inclusive history of our people and places from within.
We’ve received generous contributions of family albums and continue to do so. While our archive expands, so does our efforts to scan, digitise and catalogue thousands of photographs while simultaneously developing plans on creating public engagements around the archive.
We’re a small team and all of us are voluntary members of the collective -all in it because of our unflinching belief in the work we’re doing.
We, therefore, need your support in helping us sustain and persist with our archival project.
Accessing the Archive
Access for Local Researchers
The Confluence Collective Photo Archive is available to local researchers, scholars, students, and cultural practitioners working in or on the region. We recognise the importance of making locally relevant visual histories accessible to those engaged in research, documentation, education, and community-based work.
Because the archive contains curated and, in some cases, sensitive materials, access is provided on a case-by-case basis. Researchers are encouraged to contact us with a brief description of their research, the materials they are interested in, and how they intend to use them.
Whether you are looking for a specific photograph, exploring a particular series, or conducting broader research into the region, our team will be happy to help identify relevant materials and discuss appropriate access.
How to Get in Touch
To request access to the Confluence Collective Photo Archive, please contact:
mail@theconfluencecollective.com
Please include a short description of your research or project and, where possible, the specific images, subjects, places, or time periods you are interested in.
Download The Confluence Collective Photo Archive Policy