Amaan Ali

Pages Of Barren Mountains

Pages of Barren Mountains chronicles my remarkable journey while filming a documentary in Hemya, Ladakh, where I had the privilege of capturing breathtaking moments. The children I encountered in the offline zone exuded boundless energy and curiosity, immersing me in their captivating world. As I delved deeper into their story, I discovered the remarkable efforts of the non-profit organisation Lhagsam and the local community to revive the school in Hemya. Witnessing the transformation, I marvelled at the newfound opportunity for children like Kunzang Dorjay and his friends to receive primary education in this rugged mountainous region. They now dare to dream of preserving their cultural heritage and values, once imperilled by limited resources. My long-term project aims to document the lives and growth of underprivileged children in Hemya. As I photographed them immersed in play and exploration, I sensed their yearning for visual representation. For them, the camera became a catalyst, unlocking their hidden curiosity about life\'s wonders. Through creative learning programs, I firmly believe these children can envision a progressive future. With unwavering passion, I strive to safeguard their cultural heritage, recognising education as the pivotal force that can make their dreams a reality.

Photographer

Amaan Ali

Born in 1999, Amaan Ali is a documentary photographer hailing from India. His projects have reflected on environmental crises, socio-political issues, and everyday life over the years.
Between 2017 and 2020, Ali took photos of Northern India that revolved around stories of local communities. In 2021, he documented issues concerning the environmental crisis in India.

His work has been published in international magazines including the Guardian, BBC, CNN, Earth Photo, and CIWEM. His photos got exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society(London), Officine Fotographiche(Italy), The Reference(Seoul), MMX Gallery(London), and Stanley Picker Gallery(London).

Being a keen musician and a graduate of literature, he finds inspiration in films and music. He is pursuing his master’s degree in photography from Kingston School of Art.

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