PIND: Portrait of a Village in Rural Punjab (Book)

‘Pind’ means ‘village’ in Punjabi. The essence of village life in rural Punjab serves as a powerful connection for our communities across the globe—it’s where we trace our culture, traditions, and practices. Over the course of three dedicated trips and after thirty years of observations, I captured photographs that document the everyday life in my mother’s pind.

This photo-book offers an intimate yet expansive glimpse into pind life via Bir Kalan, a village in the Sangrur district of Malwa, Punjab. The images serve as a historical record, depicting the evolving landscape of rural life in Punjab without falling into the trap of romanticizing it. Many who grew up outside of Punjab might not have had the privilege to experience this way of life. Through photography, I aim to bridge this gap for those who couldn’t visit, weren’t fluent in the language, or no longer have ties to the motherland. Beyond that, these photographs give a voice and face to the people of my village. This book is for those in search of home.