The Kitab Photobook Festival
| Kitab Photobook Festival | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Photobook, Photography, Publishing |
| Location(s) | India |
| Years active | 2017 – present |
| Founders | Manik Katyal |
Kitab Photobook Festival (also known as The Kitab) is a photography-book focused festival and independent platform in India, dedicated to promoting photobooks, experimental bookmaking, and photography publishing practices, especially from South Asia and underrepresented communities.[1]
History
The Kitab was founded by Manik Katyal as a non-profit initiative to introduce the photobook medium to Indian audiences beyond gallery spaces.[2] Between 2017 and 2019, the festival organized seven photobook editions and over 50 exhibitions across five Indian cities.[3]
Format and Programming
Kitab’s festival editions typically include curated photobook exhibitions, thematic shows, panel discussions, workshops, and book launches.[4]
Notable editions include:
- The Almora edition (2018), focused on Women in the Himalayas, featuring photobooks from over 30 countries.[5]
- The Jaipur/Bhateri edition (2018), which presented 40 photobooks from over 30 countries and engaged rural communities.[1]
- A Varanasi edition with a special exhibition on the Shivdaspur sex-worker community.[1]
Earlier, in its 2017 Dehradun edition, the festival showcased 400 photobooks from over 70 countries.[2]
Impact
By curating and exhibiting photobooks across multiple Indian cities, Kitab has contributed to the recognition of the photobook as a serious medium of visual storytelling in South Asia.[3] Its exhibitions in rural and non-urban locations have sought to democratize access and foster dialogue between local communities and global photographic practices.[4]
Cultural commentators have described Kitab as an important initiative that “diverts attention towards prevalent societal issues” and “inspires millions through art and entertainment.”[1]
Reception and Press Coverage
The festival has been covered in Indian and international press, including The Times of India, The Statesman, Grazia, and Condé Nast Traveller India.
- The Times of India reported on a Mukteshwar edition centered on Women in the Himalayas, highlighting the inclusion of photobooks from more than 30 countries.[6]
- The Statesman announced the Almora edition, noting it would feature international photobooks.[5]
- Grazia India called Kitab “India’s first photobook festival,” crediting it with organizing seven editions and over 50 exhibitions between 2017 and 2019.[1]
- Condé Nast Traveller India emphasized Kitab’s mission of democratizing photography, noting free public entry to exhibitions.[4]
The official website maintains a “Press” section compiling coverage from outlets such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, Deccan Herald, and Yahoo News.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "This Photobook Festival Is More Than Just Art". Grazia India. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Kitab concludes leaving Doonites in complete awe". The Times of India. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chopra, Divya (2023). "Photobook: An Introduction". Trans Asia Photography. Duke University Press. 14. doi:10.1215/21582025-11297247. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "There's a 3-day photo book festival happening in Almora. Here's what you need to know". Condé Nast Traveller India. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Kitab: India's first photobook festival set for Almora edition". The Statesman. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ "A three-day photobook festival inaugurated in Mukteshwar". The Times of India. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ "Press – The Kitab". The Kitab. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
External links
This article "The Kitab Photobook Festival" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:The Kitab Photobook Festival. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
