Photography is one of the most powerful forms of storytelling, capturing thousands of unspoken emotions in a single frame that are hard to put on paper. A recent photograph of Kerala’s Kandanar Kelan Theyyam by Ramya Sriram stands as proof, as it won the Nat Geo India Worldwide Contest 2025, holding a place in National Geographic’s 2026 calendar. Read more to know about the photograph and the honour.
The Photographer Behind The Iconic Capture
Recently, a beautiful photograph capturing the intensity of Kerala’s Kandanar Kelan Theyyam by photographer Ramya Sriram has earned a major international honour. The picture won the Nat Geo India Worldwide Contest 2025, securing a place in National Geographic’s 2026 calendar.
The award-winning image showcases a dramatic ritual moment from the Kannur-Kasaragod region of northern Kerala. The image highlights Theyyam performances combined with devotion, fire and elaborate costumes into a detailed spiritual spectacle.
For those who don’t know, Theyyam is a vibrant, ancient art form from North Kerala and parts of Karnataka, where performers embody gods through elaborate, colourful costumes, dance and music. It represents a deep connection to Hindu mythology, ancestral spirits and tribal animism. This art is mostly performed from December to April.
Ramya Sriram On How She Captured The Photograph
According to NDTV, this recognition marks a significant milestone in Ramya Sriram’s career as a cultural photographer. She feels being recognised by National Geographic is almost like winning an Oscar for photographers. She further called this moment a powerful validation of years spent capturing India’s tradition.
For Ramya, capturing the now-celebrated photograph was not easy at all and came under extreme circumstances. It was shot inside a small temple packed with hundreds of devotees and photographers, which turned chaotic.
Recalling an incident, she told the news portal about how she was pushed to the ground as flames rose and the crowd surged forward. After waiting for nearly eight hours overnight for the early morning ritual, she only managed to take around five shots before she had to leave due to the chaos and was unsure if she had captured anything usable.
Ramya also shared the news of winning the Nat Geo Contest on her social media handle. She wrote, “Best of 2025 isn’t about the thousands of images I shot or the many I never posted. It’s about a dream fulfilled.”
Also Read: MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 Announced With Egypt’s Khufu’s At Top; List Inside
This beautiful capture not only preserved an image but also the devotion, intensity and power of the ritual in one unforgettable moment.
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Ramya Sriram
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.