Aashvi Agarwal’s The Promised Land: Capturing the Spirit of Faith Through a Lens
Aashvi Agarwal, a remarkable 14-year-old author, recently celebrated the launch of her book The Promised Land: A Visual Anatomy of Human Faith at Bikaner House in Delhi. This event marked a special moment in the fusion of faith and photography, showcasing her insightful documentation of the Ram Mandir’s inauguration on January 22, 2024. Guided by historians Uma Nair and Kounteya Sinha, Aashvi beautifully captured this historic event.
Amitabh Kant
Oiendrila Ray Kapur Aditi Rao Hydari
Maharaj Kumari Kalpana Kumari of Wankaner, Gujarat
Gul Panag
Muzzafar Ali
Sanjeev Kapoor
Mary Kom
Bhaichung Bhutia
The launch was graced by notable personalities like Aditi Rao Hydari, Amitabh Kant, Mary Kom, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Muzaffar Ali. Guests were treated to engaging thematic discussions and a reading by Aashvi herself, highlighting the inspiration and journey behind her work.
Divya Dutta
Temples have always been symbols of spiritual exploration and divine connection, embodying humanity’s quest for truth. The foundation stone for the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020, marking a momentous occasion that fulfilled the longstanding aspirations of many devotees.
Aashvi’s book features striking black and white photographs that convey the wave of faith that swept across India and the world after the temple’s inauguration. Her images vividly depict the emotions of visitors, the intricate architecture, and the rich heritage of Ayodhya during the first five months following the temple’s opening.
In an interview, Aashvi, a 10th-grade student at La Martiniere For Girls in Kolkata, shared her reasons for choosing the title The Promised Land. She highlighted the Ram Temple’s profound cultural, religious, and political significance for Hindus worldwide. Her photographs aim to capture the essence of faith by focusing on the human experience of emotion and devotion.
The distinguished guest list at the event included Aditi Rao Hydari, Amitabh Kant, Mary Kom, Gul Panag, Sanjeev Sanyal, Divya Dutta, Timothy Curtis, Bilkis Mir, Kishwar Choudhury, and other esteemed dignitaries.
Kounteya Sinha, Aashvi’s mentor, emphasized that the book beautifully captures the human emotions and devotion witnessed in Ayodhya after the temple’s opening. With over 300 black and white photographs, Aashvi weaves together the city’s architectural grandeur and its visitors’ deep faith.
Kounteya Sinha & Aashvi Agarwal
Nidhi & Hemant Agarwal (Parents of Aashvi Agarwal)
Praised by art curator and critic Uma Nair as “historic and unparalleled,” Aashvi’s debut work captures the raw emotions of faith without political or personal biases. Nair applauded Aashvi’s ability to blend traditional narrative techniques with contemporary human visuals. In the preface, Nair admired Aashvi’s exceptional storytelling and sensitivity in addressing such a profound subject. Sinha highlighted Aashvi’s passion and dedication in documenting this significant human gathering in Ayodhya, resulting in an iconic and groundbreaking book.
Uma Nair & Leena Singh
