“As Kashmir is so misunderstood, I think there was a need to show people our everyday reality — our joy, our pain and our beauty. And that’s how my blog came into being,” Aamir Wani Of Kashmir Through My Lens shares his journey, his love for travelling and depicting the simplest and most exquisite side of Kashmir to the world. By Priyanka Chakrabarti
What does travelling mean to you?
Travelling for me is a learning experience — learning about other cultures, traditions, history and arts. It’s seeing that the world has so much to offer. It’s not always glamorous, it teaches you patience and being street-smart. But for me, the best travel experiences are when I’ve connected with others, and we’ve learnt something from each other.
How did you start your blog?
I returned from the UK after studies and I wanted to do something for Kashmir. So I started snapping pictures on my phone and penning down my thoughts as poetry. Then I invested in a camera and taught myself how to use it to improvise my body of work. As Kashmir is so misunderstood, I think there was a need to show people our everyday reality – our joy, our pain, our beauty. And that’s how my blog came into being.
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Define Kashmir in three words.
Hope. Resilience. Beauty.
You portray a unique and most picturesque side of Kashmir. What is your documentation/photography process?
There isn’t a formal process. I just want to click what’s real. I hardly ever have an agenda when I go out to click or a theme. It’s simply what I come across that day, be it a sunset or a tailor working on some garments… I want to keep things simple because I believe there is beauty in simplicity and it’s something we can all appreciate and relate to.
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Since when did you get interested in travel photography?
My focus has been on Kashmir but over the last few years, I’ve had a chance to travel much more and connect with people all over the world on Instagram. As photography and travel is a constant learning process for me, travel photography allows me to do both and I can’t ask for a better occupation. There’s so much one can learn when they travel and who they meet. That excites me. And that’s what I want to share with others.
You have a huge community on Insta. How do you keep them engaged?
I try to keep my content simple and relatable, often with a human element. And honestly, just be me.
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What does it take to be a travel blogger today?
In the world that we live in today, there’s a place for everyone. You can be a travel blogger, food blogger, fashion blogger or the likes as long as you are true to yourself. Post about things that you like, that means something to you. Share experiences so that people can also benefit. As long as your work is authentic and good-willed, you can blog about anything. And don’t focus on likes and followers. Blogging shouldn’t be about numbers. Remember why you started out in the first place – for me, it was about sharing insights, and that’s what I continue to do wherever I go in the world.
How old were you when the travel bug bit you?
It’s when I came back to Kashmir after studying in the UK. I was around 22 and I decided that I wanted to explore my home further and share it with the world. Through my work on Instagram I’ve been lucky to connect with people from all over the world, and now in my mid to late twenties, I’ve started travelling abroad much more.
How has travelling inspired your creativity?
With travelling, your mind tends to expand its horizons as you get exposed to different cultures and traditions, engaging with people that may be different to you and sometimes adopting certain practices to respect people and places. All of these things impact the way you see the world and for me, nurtures my creative ability.
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Can you share an anecdote with us?
Well, a turning point of my life was the way I met my wife. She was visiting Kashmir as a tourist and whilst I had not met or spoken to her in person, we were in touch over email as she was writing about Kashmir. She wanted to visit certain places in Kashmir that I hadn’t actually visited at that point either, but we decided that we’d meet and then go to these places together (a sort of adventure) and well twenty-four hours after we met, we knew we were getting married. Moral of the story – go on adventures!
Do you remember your first holiday?
It was back in the good old school days. We went camping in Gulmarg.
What has been your best 2018 holiday?
I absolutely loved Turkey.
If you could pack only five things for a vacation, what would they be?
Camera, toothbrush, a notebook, good shoes and probably my phone.
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Do you believe in the concept of slow travel?
Last year, my wife and I planned a jam-packed, month-long trip around Europe and about a week in, we were exhausted. Then we decided to change all our plans for the remaining three weeks and we rented a villa in Tuscany and decided to just sit back and relax. We visited the local farmer’s market, took some cooking classes, found some cafes where we spent days reading and talking to locals. After that trip, we decided that when we travel it’s not going to be about ticking off places on a list, rather enjoy a city, read about its culture, eat the food and talk to the people. So yes, all for slow travel!
What’s your take on conscious travelling?
Having grown up in a place where I’ve been lucky enough to see the value of local artisans and farmers, I’m all for conscious travelling. I think it’s important to do something for the local people, even if it’s as simple as going to the local market and buying some local fruit. Every little act counts. Be conscious about where you are; it’s not just about what a place gives you. We should all do our bit, and if there’s an opportunity to do something for the local community, then do it. And for me, it makes the experience of travelling to a place more authentic.
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How would you contribute to the trend of ggreen-travelling
Well actually, it’s my passion project. At the moment, when I am traveling I try and find places to stay that are eco-friendly. It’s like I’m in the learning phase at the moment. Trying to understand what others have done to be more eco-friendly, what options are out there. This is all leading to a dream of building a home/retreat that is eco-friendly in Kashmir. Having grown up in and around nature, I think we all need to become more conscious of this as we have a responsibility to the future generations.
Do you think solo traveling is more enriching than traveling with a group of people?
I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer to this. When traveling solo you often end up having conversations with locals in the place you are traveling to that you wouldn’t if you are with a group. You also have complete freedom. If you are with a group, you may do things and go to places you wouldn’t alone and you will probably make memories of a life time that you will always laugh about with that group. So, I think there’s a time and place for both.
Which are your favorite cities around the world?
Srinagar, Istanbul and Tokyo.
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And your favourite spots in Kashmir?
Backwaters of Dal, old city.
A destination that you want to visit this year?
Iran.
Who is your favorite travel buddy?
My wife.
Where are you traveling next to?
Lapland, Finland.
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