Ahmedabad : Strengthening Ahmedabad’s growing reputation as a vibrant centre for art and culture, noted photographer Himanshu Panchal presents By the Shore, a compelling photographic exhibition documenting the people, landscapes, and living traditions of Gujarat’s expansive coastline. The exhibition will be held from 19th to 28th February 2026 at Satya Art Gallery, Navajivan Trust, open daily 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Positioned within Ahmedabad’s evolving cultural ecosystem, By the Shore showcases 77 carefully curated colour photographs captured over more than a decade of sustained visual documentation. Gujarat, with a coastline stretching nearly 1,600 kilometres — the longest among Indian states — represents a complex socio-cultural and economic ecosystem, yet remains visually underrepresented in contemporary photographic discourse. Panchal’s work addresses this gap through a long-term, research-oriented photographic practice.
The project began in 2012 and evolved under the mentorship of eminent photographer Vivek Desai, who guided Panchal towards a disciplined, subject-focused documentary approach. Over the years, the work has developed into an important visual archive of coastal Gujarat, capturing the intersection of livelihood, migration, community identity, and changing socio-economic realities.
Cultural and Social Narratives on Display
The exhibition goes beyond aesthetic landscape photography and presents a series of thematic photo essays highlighting:
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Everyday life and occupational rhythms of small fishing communities
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Wedding customs and social traditions of Machiyara and Koli fisherfolk
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Cultural identity and pastoral life of the Mer community
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Migrant labour settlements and work-life along coastal belts
Through these narratives, By the Shore explores themes of resilience, adaptation, dignity, and belonging, offering audiences an immersive insight into communities whose lives are shaped by tides, trade routes, and coastal geography.
Contribution to Ahmedabad’s Cultural Scene
Ahmedabad has steadily emerged as one of India’s significant cultural hubs, fostering dialogue across visual arts, heritage, and contemporary practices. Exhibitions like By the Shore reinforce the city’s role in supporting documentary photography, regional storytelling, and socially engaged art, while connecting urban audiences with grassroots cultural realities of Gujarat.
By presenting an authentic and deeply researched body of work, Himanshu Panchal contributes not only to photographic practice but also to the broader discourse on culture, community, and regional identity.
The exhibition is open to artists, collectors, cultural practitioners, students, and the general public.
Venue: Satya Art Gallery, Navajivan Trust, Ahmedabad
Dates: 19 – 28 February 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Entry: Open to all