Manish Khattry is a rare visual alchemist whose artistic practice transcends conventional photography, evolving into a profound, lifelong conversation with the ancient city of Kashi (Varanasi). More than a photographer, he is the devoted custodian and archivist of India’s spiritual capital—a city that is simultaneously anchored in historical time and open to the timeless.

Through his lens, Khattry captures Kashi’s sacred rhythms, living textures, and immortal soul. His work venerates the paradox of the city—eternal yet ever-changing—revealing its layered mystique with extraordinary sensitivity and depth.

Education

Master of Applied Arts, Faculty of Visual Arts,
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Distinction: Gold Medalist

This rigorous training endowed him with a sophisticated visual vocabulary and masterful command over light, composition, and form—hallmarks of his distinctive artistic language.

Artistic Journey

A Lifelong Pilgrimage with a Camera

For over two decades, Manish Khattry has undertaken what can only be described as a sacred artistic vow: a lifelong visual pilgrimage to document Kashi in its myriad dimensions. His monumental endeavor seeks to build a comprehensive pictorial history of a city often described as “older than history.”

• Photographic Archive: Over 1,000,000 images
• Focus: Ghats, temples, festivals, rituals, lanes, people, and the living cultural heritage of Kashi
• Objective: To preserve the visual memory and essence of the world’s oldest living city for future generations

Manish is not merely documenting Kashi—he is writing an unending visual epic.

Publications

He has published 28 pictorial books to date, with several more in development. Together, these volumes form a monumental archive—a library of light and memory—offering sequential yet timeless chapters in Kashi’s unfolding narrative.

Exhibitions & Recognition

Manish Khattry’s distinctive visual language has received widespread national and international recognition. His work has been showcased extensively, earning acclaim for its artistic excellence and its profound devotion to one of the world’s most enigmatic and spiritually charged cities.

Legacy

His true legacy lies not only in artistic honors but in his vast and ongoing archival mission. Seamlessly merging the roles of artist and archivist, he has transformed his personal vision into a cultural endeavor of historic importance.

Through each frame, he salvages fragments of eternity—revealing the immortal soul of Kashi and gifting future generations an unparalleled visual treasury. His life’s work stands as a testament to both the timelessness of the city and the devotion of the man known as the Visual Custodian and Archivist of Eternity.

Social Media

Facebook :  (1) Facebook

Instagram : Manish Khattry (@manish_khattry) • Instagram photos and videos

Website : manishkhattry.com