Manas Das: Divinity and Childhood on the Banks of the Ganges

In the Howrah district of West Bengal, India, Manas Das finds in photography both a poetic refuge and a vital means of expression. At 44 years old, this teacher by profession lives 25 km from Kolkata, on the western bank of the sacred Ganges River, where he captures with singular sensitivity the everyday moments that reveal the intersection between the human and the divine. His photographic journey, which began amidst the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022, has transformed into an exercise in inner peace and an affective documentation of a rapidly changing world.

His image “Little Lord Hanuman” a finalist in the Single Image category of the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2025, is a testament to this search for meaning through the lens. Captured on a scorching summer afternoon at Babughat in Kolkata, the photograph freezes a moment of rare synchronicity: as children play in the shallow waters of the Ganges, a boy runs towards the river, his movement echoing the joyous expression of a stone statue of the god Hanuman observing the scene. More than a visual coincidence, the image reveals an emotional complicity between the divine and the human, reminding us that joy is a shared experience that transcends planes of existence. The work reflects Das’s photographic practice – always attentive to emotional nuances and the invisible dialogues that pulse at the margins of the ordinary.

Learn more about this photographic discovery and the project documenting the transition of eras in the following interview.

How old are you? Where do you currently live and work?

I am a 44-year-old man. I currently live in the Howrah district of West Bengal state, India. It is located on the west bank of the Ganges, 25 km from Kolkata city. I am a teacher by profession but I love capturing moments in people’s lives.

Tell us about your journey in photography. When did you start photographing and why? What role does photography play in your life?

My journey in photography began in mid-2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns were imposed worldwide. People had lost their jobs, and professions were under strain. Those were very disorienting times. I felt very restless. Photography calmed my mind during that period. I found a means of expressing myself. That was the beginning of the journey. I still go out with that same excitement with my camera. It brings me great joy.

Tell us about your finalist work for the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2025. When and where was it created? What is its concept? How does it fit into your photographic practice?

Yes, of course! This picture was taken on a summer afternoon this year at Babughat in Kolkata. The day was very hot. In the afternoon, several young children were bathing in the Ganges. The water was shallow at that spot. The little boy was running towards the water. On the left, the stone statue of Lord Hanuman seemed equally joyful, mirroring the boy’s expression. I captured this coincidence of emotions between god and human.

What projects are you currently working on? What are your near-future plans for photographic production?

Our surroundings are changing very rapidly: my city, its people, customs, festivals, clothing, people’s thoughts, and even values. Standing at the crossroads of two eras, I am now capturing that transition. This is a major project.