Indrajit Khambe Photoseries Captures The Unfiltered Rhythm Of Life In Hampi

Late actor Angus Cloud who plays Fez on Euphoria tells Lexi, "I don't wanna google the scraps. I wanna peel back the layers". In the series they were talking about people and online personas, but one could argue that it's true for places too. Travel/wanderlust trends on social media blew up so much that vloggers had to start keeping destinations anonymous to keep herds of people from swarming pristine, remote towns. This is what Fez in the HBO show was against; superficial experiences that are only good for optics.

The tourist gaze marvels at the obvious: the monuments, the photo ops, the postcards brought to life. But the traveler gaze—that’s something else. It’s born from time, patience, and curiosity. It’s in the slow unraveling of a place, the layering of experiences, and the intimacy that comes with returning to the same corner, the same faces, and the same streets. To truly know a place, to move beyond seeing and begin feeling it, is to build a relationship with it. Spaces begin to carry memories, emotions; the surroundings shift from being a backdrop to becoming a character in your life’s story.

For photographer Indrajit Khambe, Hampi is much more than a UNESCO World Heritage Site or the hippie haven it’s come to be known as. His video series, “Hampi: The Land Beyond Landscape,” captures a perspective few visitors take the time to see: the unfiltered rhythm of rural life in Hampi. His lens moves beyond the storied ruins and into the everyday lives of local farmers tending goats, children playing in dusty courtyards, villagers hanging by the riverbanks, and the hum of motor pumps irrigating fields. It’s not just the sights he’s documenting but the sounds and the symphony of a living, breathing Hampi.

Indrajit’s Hampi isn’t a curated retreat for outsiders looking to “find themselves.” It’s a world that exists irrespective of visitors, where life moves to its own rhythm. This portrayal is strikingly different from the laid-back, bohemian image many associate with Hampi. Over the years, the town has become a magnet for travelers seeking chill vibes and spiritual epiphanies. And while there’s beauty in that side of Hampi too, the photographer’s work offers something deeper—a connection to the town that doesn’t cater to the outside gaze but reveals its essence from within.

For Indrajit, Hampi is like a second home. Based in Sindhudurga, Maharashtra, he’s been documenting the town for over seven years, returning 4-5 times a year to immerse himself in its raw and vibrant rural life. His art is rooted in a profound connection with the places he documents—a bond akin to friendship. It’s this relationship that allows him to move beyond visuals, capturing not just what Hampi looks like but what it feels like, and more importantly, what it sounds like. There’s something idyllic about his portrayal, yet it’s far from romanticized. His videos don’t glorify or distort the realities of Hampi; instead, they honor the simplicity and vitality of its people and places. It’s a celebration of everyday life—a reminder that beauty often lies in the mundane, in the unnoticed, in the moments we too often rush past

Indrajit’s series reminds us that places, much like people, reveal their true selves only when approached with patience and openness. Through his work, we’re invited to experience Hampi not as tourists passing through but as travelers building a quiet, enduring relationship with the land and its soul. Like he said, “Hampi’s essence extends beyond visuals; its sounds are equally mesmerizing.” And in his art, we hear and see a Hampi that’s real, vivid, and alive.

Follow Indrajit here.

If you enjoyed reading this here's more from Homegrown:

A Rohit Vohra Photoseries Captures The Spiritual Essence Of India's Riverside Communities

A Karan Khosla Photo Series Immerses You In A Lush World Of Rural Romanticism

Starving Artist Films' New Short Captures The Spirit Of Srinagar Through Its People