GUNTUR: In line with the saying - “A photograph answers 100 questions and reveals unsung stories and themes”, a 11-year-old child prodigy, V Harshil Kiran, has excelled in the field of photography, winning countless accolades and various awards at national platforms, leaving everyone in awe.
A seventh standard student, Harshil, is a native of Guntur city who is winning everyone’s hearts with his wildlife and bird photography skills.
Inspired by his father’s passion for wildlife photography, Harshil said, “I like taking photographs because it helps us think creatively and connect with nature.” Among several wildlife pictures, the photos of landing pelican birds at Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary gained him national fame. His father V Kiran Kumar, deputy inspector general in the Registration and Stamps Department, is also an ace photographer who won various medals at art galleries and earned himself quite a reputation for his wildlife photography.
“I was always fascinated with wildlife and wildlife photography is more than a hobby for me and I’m so happy my son also found his calling in it,” opined Kiran Kumar. Harshil’s journey in capturing wildlife with his lens started when he was nine years old, during Covid-19 pandemic.
He used to tag along with his father on his visits to Nallamala Forest, Sunkesula Dam, Nagaravanam, Rollapadu and other nearby areas. So far, he has captured over 200 species of birds and wild animals.
Alongside shaping his passion for photography, Harshil also developed a deep connection with nature. Along his journey, he received a gold medal in the best photography category from the Photographic Society of America and a ‘Rising Star in Photography’ award from Pentagram in Kolkata.
He captured several pictures of a variety of animals and birds, becoming famous among the photography groups.
He also organised a photo exhibition of his own at Palnadu district Collectorate on the occasion of World Photography Day and was felicitated by district Collector Siva Sankar Lotheti.
“I want to travel across India to capture rare birds and animals with my camera and organise wildlife photography exhibitions at educational institutions to sensitise students about the conservation of animal habitats,” said Harshil.