Indian photographer Abhijit Banerjee from Kolkata is today named as the winner of the India National Award, part of world’s biggest photography competition, the Sony World Photography Awards.
Banerjee’s winning image “Gangasagar Fair” was chosen as the single best photograph taken by an India photographer entered into any of the awards’ ten Open categories.
Banerjee, a senior business executive in pharmaceutics and amateur photographer from Kolkata, has won a Sony ILCE-7M2K. In addition, the winning image will be part of the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London from 22nd April – 8th May and will be published in the annual Sony World Photography Awards book. The exhibition will also include the winning and shortlisted images of Professional, Open and Youth competitions alongside the first major European exhibition of the artistic duo and fine art photographers Rong Rong & inri (China/Japan), recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize at the awards.
Talking about his win, Banerjee comments: “In my view any recognition is the inspiration towards further excellence. And it is more special because it is from the WPO and the Sony World Photography Awards. Thanks to judges for selecting my image for the prestigious awards. My regards to all of them.”
Describing the winning image, he says: “Gangasagar fair is the 2nd largest fair in India and the largest in West Bengal. It is organised every year in January, in the delta region of West Bengal, to celebrate the holy MakarSankranti. I captured a group of women, devotees from Uttar Pradesh state, while they worship Sun just after their holy dip.”
Runner up positions for India National Award were given to:
- 2nd place – NikunjRathod with the image titled “Bird Hunter”
- 3rd place – Jaydip Bhattacharya with the image titled “Joy of Learning”
The National Awards programme honours and rewards the best single image taken by a local photographer and runs in 60 countries across the world from Argentina to Australia. It is open to photographers of all abilities.
The winners of all 60 National Awards were announced today. To see all the winning images please go to www.worldphoto.org
The Sony World Photography Awards rewards and recognises the world’s best contemporary photography from the last year. Attracting photographers of all abilities, the awards incorporate four competitions: Professional; Open; Youth and Student. More information about the awards can be found at www.worldphoto.org
- Images from the shortlist are available to download at press.worldphoto.org
- If using on social media please #SWPA and tag @WorldPhotoOrg
Sony World Photography Awards forthcoming announcements
- 29th March – Open and Youth category winners announced
- 21st April – Professional/Open/Student/Youth Photographers of the Year revealed plus Professional category winners
