In Phunsuk's paradise

Ladakh is more than about tribes, vibes and prayer flags, shows a 43-year-old biker-photographer through his seven-year lensview.

It wasn't just Aamir Khan who took refuge in the mystical mountains of Ladakh in his latest blockbuster. Many a tired soul has traversed miles and milestones to find solace in this serene land, and many a photographer has discovered paradise in its widespread magnificence.u00a0Jenson Anto is one. The Delhi-based artist captures the region on his lens as his biking journeys reveal. We play pillion for a bit.


Over the hill: Jenson Anto has been capturing Ladakh on his
lens since seven years, during his many biking tours

Bike bound
Legends of Ladakh is part of the series titled 'Markings on the move,' a biking project based on the Himalayas. Moving away from the ordinary, Jenson, who has been biking all the way to Ladakh since the past seven years, captures everything that the mountains have to offer, including stupas, tough terrain and steep slopes. "My work invariably involves a panoramic view of the Ladakh mountains and I capture anything that is abstract. For this particular project, other artists have also contributed images of their works to be part of mine," he says.

Chorten clouds
A typical feature of Anto's work is the oft overseen little details that define the lovely land. So one of his pictures captures a Chorten. Now, what's that, you'd wonder. "The Chorten is a manmade structure used to protect a particular area. The Chortens get eroded every year and are reconstructed with the help of limestone, making them stand apart from the rest of the structures," he enlightens.

Anotheru00a0adaptation showcases an array of his colleagues' works, like those of Stessa davis, Lushan Liu, Frances Young, Diana Henry, Michiel Hennema and others whom he met while working inu00a0 London. This apart, he also captures objects like road-markers at the edge of the Khardung La mountain pass, roadside eateries, monasteries and a metal door of an army unit at Tanglang La mountain pass. "Anything and everything that appeals," he elaborates.
You wouldn't mind this resplendent revisit.

Legends of Ladakh
On till: February 14
Where: First floor, DLF Place mall, Saket
Timings: 11 am to 9 pm

Also read this pictorial travelogue on Ladakh
Postcards from Ladakh is a picture book on Ladakh, written in an easy-to-read style. The author, Ajay Jain, has intended to give you a flavour of the high haven's local cultures through a 10,000 km journey across the region. Available at leading bookstores
Price: Rs 395