“I was in my 11th std when I fell into a partial coma induced by an attack by a wild elephant. I was taking a trip to Masinagudi when I got into a second Life situation after a wildlife accident with a huge tusker.

Upon my slow recovery from the injury, my dad told me that he would give me a year’s time of healing after which I will be allowed to visit the same place again! Because, deep down everyone knew that I would eventually end up there! And there, commenced my love for the wildlife and it wouldn’t be until later that I understood – the elephant attack was the first of manys!

I found myself deeply interested in studying animal behaviour and their patterns. I started working with many other nature conservationists and I was selected for a project by the National Geographic Your Shot team. I had to research the behaviour of tigers and submit a report. And that saw me travelling to Bandipur every single weekend! This continued for over four years after which, orders started flowing down to me.

I started working with WWF and National Geographic and came to be recognised as a wildlife photographer myself. But as much as I love my work, the job comes with it’s own hassles! I have been attacked by countless animals, one time even by a sloth bear leaving a huge scar on my shoulder that I carry with a symbol of pride and accomplishment!

Though research pertaining to wildlife has advanced in the last few years, there are still so many unexplored places in India that I would like to explore and know more about. For, without wildlife I doubt we would have anything to understand of beauty in this world!.”