Copyright Dionysis Kouris
Why we liked it: from the subject, to the composition, to the look on the Sadhu’s face, everything in Dionysis’ photograph paint an unexpected yet insightful picture of today’s India.
Dionysis, can you tell us who you are?
I was born in Greece. My interest in photography started after having acquired a BA in Economics. I have a degree in Photography from the Arts University of Bournemouth, UK and an M.A. in Photojournalism & Documentary Photography from the London College of Communication. After working for more than twelve years in Greece as a studio and editorial photographer collaborating with many magazines and newspapers, I started traveling extensively in Africa realizing a project on the tribes of South-West Ethiopia, concentrating on the groups of families of the Hamar and Konso tribes. I have exhibited extensively with most recent participations at the New York Photo Festival (2011), Delhi Photo Festival in India (2011), London Photo Festival (2012), Santorini Biennale (2012). I will be featured at the Format13 photo Biennale in Derby, UK.
Unfortunately my website is under reconstruction at the moment. Some samples of my work, in multimedia form, could be seen at vimeo: http://vimeo.com/dionysiskouris
What about this picture you’ve submitted to the contest?
It’s an Indian Sadhu (Hindu holy man) during the Ardh Kumbh Mela, the biggest religious festival on earth, in Allahabad, 2007. The sadhu listens to a “robot” fortune teller. Kumbh Mela is full of such bizarre moments. The 45-day festival commemorates the mythical conflict between gods and demons over a pitcher filled with the “nectar of inmortality”. Devotees believe that taking a holy dip in the Ganges at this time washes away their sins and paves the path to salvation.
What are your trying to convey with your pictures?
I’m interested in the sense of place and time, sometimes mixed with surreal elements.
Do you travel a lot? where have you been recently?
I have been traveling extensively for the past 10 years. My most recent trip was to Ghana.
Have you been to India many times?
I have been to India four times spending between 20 to 40 days each time.
What is your take on the country and its people?
India it is truly an amazing country. Diversity of people, culture, food and landscape. Although it is usually crowded and could occasionally feel a bit hectic, especially in the big cities, you always have the feeling that you are being protected.
What is your next planned destination?
I would like to attend the next Maha Kumbh Mela the following February in India.
What is your long term goal with photography?
Difficult question! I would like, after some years looking back at my images, to be able to have 10-20 that are still powerful albeit the time passed. And I hope that in the end, not even in a single photo I took, I have not abused or mislead the people included in them.
“India!”: 1000for1’s International Photography Competition is open until the 29th of December, follow Dionysis’ example, create a profile and submit your pictures!
