About us
Kolkata International Street Photography Festival 2027 (KISPF 2027) is a pioneering initiative dedicated to celebrating the art, culture, and global community of street photography. Conceived and promoted by Sadak Chhaap, in collaboration with street photography enthusiasts, collectives, educators, and visual storytellers from India and around the world, the festival aims to establish Kolkata as a leading destination for street photography and visual storytelling.
Street photography is more than a photographic genre—it is a powerful medium for documenting humanity, culture, emotions, and the ever-changing rhythms of everyday life. Through exhibitions, talks, workshops, photowalks, portfolio reviews, book launches, film screenings, and interactive learning sessions, the festival seeks to create a vibrant platform where photographers, artists, students, and the public can engage with the visual narratives emerging from streets across the globe.
Kolkata, with its rich cultural heritage, diverse communities, historic architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant public life, offers an extraordinary canvas for street photography. The city has long been recognized as one of the most compelling destinations for candid and documentary photography, attracting photographers from across the world.
KISPF 2027 will bring together renowned international photographers, emerging talents, photography educators, publishers, curators, camera manufacturers, and passionate enthusiasts to exchange ideas, showcase inspiring work, and foster meaningful collaborations. The festival will serve as a meeting point for creativity, learning, and cultural dialogue while promoting ethical and impactful visual storytelling.
Through this initiative, Sadak Chhaap envisions building a sustainable ecosystem for street photography in India, encouraging new voices, supporting emerging photographers, and strengthening connections within the global photography community. The festival aspires to inspire people to see the extraordinary in ordinary moments and celebrate the shared human experiences that unfold on the streets every day.
Kolkata International Street Photography Festival 2027 is not merely a festival—it is a movement to preserve, promote, and celebrate the spirit of street photography and its enduring power to connect people across cultures and borders.
Meet The Team
RAJ SARKAR
Founding Member
Raj Sarkar is a passionate street photographer whose work is deeply rooted in observing everyday life and human emotions in public spaces. With a keen eye for fleeting moments, he captures the rhythm, character, and stories of the streets through compelling visual narratives. His photographs reflect an appreciation for light, gesture, and the subtle interactions that define urban life. Through his lens, Raj seeks to transform ordinary moments into meaningful images that resonate with viewers and celebrate the beauty of the human experience.
“For Raj, street photography is not just about documenting life—it is about discovering stories hidden in plain sight.”
GOUTAM MAITI
Founding Member
Goutam Maiti is a Kolkata-based street and documentary photographer whose work explores the beauty, emotions, and untold stories of everyday life. With over a decade of experience behind the lens, he is known for capturing decisive moments that reveal the human spirit in public spaces. His photographs have been featured by international platforms including National Geographic Daily Dozen, LensCulture, 121 Clicks, and IPA Magazine.
BHASKAR KUNDU
Founding Member
Bhaskar Kundu is a passionate street photographer whose work celebrates the spontaneity, emotion, and visual poetry of everyday life. With a keen eye for timing, composition, and human interaction, he captures fleeting moments that reveal the character of streets and the stories of the people who inhabit them. His photographs blend observation with artistic vision, transforming ordinary scenes into compelling visual narratives. Through his work, Bhaskar continues to explore the rich tapestry of urban life, documenting moments that are both authentic and timeless.
MANISH KHATTRY
Member
Manish Khattry is an eminent Indian photographer and author renowned for his extensive visual documentation of Varanasi (Kashi).
Artistic Focus: Has captured over a million images preserving the cultural heritage, ghats, and soul of Banaras over a career spanning a decade.
Academic & Digital Pioneer: A Gold Medalist MFA graduate from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). He introduced computer-aided digital art to India in 1994, training over 3,000 students.
Published Works: Authored over 20 visual coffee-table books on Kashi, including The Book of Banaras and Mysterious Banaras.
Global Acclaim: Has exhibited his work internationally (such as in Mauritius) and holds a Guinness World Record for his photographic contributions to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign.
DEB LAHIRI
Member
Deb Lahiri is a Kolkata-based street photographer and founder of the "Window Photography School". After a successful career in insurance management, he dedicated himself to photography, transforming a lifelong passion into both a profession and a means of creative expression. His journey began during his school days with a simple analogue camera gifted by his mother and deepened with his first SLR camera, a Zenith. The advent of digital photography further shaped his vision, leading him to actively pursue street, travel, and documentary photography. Through his work and teaching, Deb continues to inspire photographers while documenting life’s candid and compelling moments.
