Through My Lens: Wildlife and Tribal Culture

Author: 
Mahendra Rathod
Post date: 
6 March 2018

Mahendra Rathod joined the Customs Department in the year 1990. Initially posted with the anti-smuggling unit at Porbandar, he explored the long sea-coast of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat with a small point-and-shoot camera. His first DSLR camera in 2013 turned him into passionate wildlife photographer. Over the years, he has visited many of India's forests, grasslands, wetlands and culture-rich rural areas. Other things he likes to do are staying healthy, painting, running, reading and writing.


eBook cover of Through My Lens: Wildlife and Tribal Culture by Mahendra Rathod

Editor's note: I am delighted to introduce Shri Mahendra Rathod, a tax official in his calling, as a hobby photographer and a wildlife enthusiast. He has travelled widely across the Indian subcontinent and captured some poignant moments in the life and times of animals and birds out there in their natural habitat.

Mahendra has not only used his camera lens effectively to ‘capture’ nature in its pristine beauty but also the people who lived around there known as Tribes.

This eBook, the launch book of our new eBooks section, contains over a hundred magnificent photos taken by Mahendra accompanied by lyrical essays on nature; it is the beginning of his journey to be recognised as a serious player in the world of flora and fauna and the environment. I expect Mahendra to reach even greater heights ‘Through My Lens’.

Update Oct 4, 2019 : Shri Mahendra Rathod has added a new chapter titled The Last Lions that comes with 15 magnificent photos of the Asiatic lions found in Gir forest.

Comments

Submitted by Kamlesh tiwari on August 18, 2018 - 17:17

Interested in reading and watching wild life.

Submitted by Chatur Patel on August 24, 2018 - 19:49

Love the wildlife pictures taken by Mahendra. It's not just taking or clicking the pictures.
It's joy, happiness and peace that you don't get from anywhere. Specially now a days people's life is too fast and forget to breathe. His ebook tell people that stop and see around you, happiness is not too far. Technology dominated people's life. But to get happy or peaceful you don't have to go too far.
Enjoying reading his ebook as well as photography done by author Mahendra Rathod.
Wishing you all the Best and thanks for sharing your happiness.

Chatur Patl

Submitted by Anonymous on September 9, 2018 - 13:02

Truly said. The world outside the window is very beautiful. Tuning-in to the everyday beauty of nature becomes part of a journey which connects us more deeply to the natural world. And as people's appreciation of natural beauty increases, so does their happiness. I hope my humble effort through this book will inspire the people to take the time to celebrate nature each day. Thanks for all your wonderful wishes and appreciation.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:01

Thanks for expressing your interest and hope as a wildlife lover you will enjoy reading this book.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on June 13, 2019 - 16:22

Shri Kamlesh Tiwari sir, I am happy to know that you have similar interest like me in wildlife and reading. Thanks for sharing your views.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on August 18, 2018 - 20:25

I have always had the desire to publish my Book- to write my thoughts and then share it with friends. inourdays.org gave me the very platform I needed. It provided me with help I required. They helped me realized my dream in a very efficient manner. I am personally thankful to Editor-in Chief Shri Subhash Mathur sir for providing me the opportunity to make my dream come true. I also wish to thank to every member of the wonderful team of "Inourdays"for amazing editing of this book. It is my pleasure to be part of"Inourdays".

Submitted by S k mehta on August 18, 2018 - 22:06

Wonderful

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:03

Thanks for your word of appreciation.

Submitted by Sangeeta Gogoi on August 18, 2018 - 22:21

'Through My Lens: Wildlife and Tribal Culture' is a vibrant collection; pulsating with life, colours and emotions. The author has exquisitely blended photography, writing and painting to offer the readers the best of experiences, through his lens. We wish many such creations in the offing. Heartiest congratulations, Subhas Mathur Ji for this great initiative.

Submitted by Anonymous on September 9, 2018 - 13:06

I am blandished to have words of encouragement from a great writer, a creative and multi-talented person, and super-mom of the youngest author of India- Ayan Gogoi Gohain. I always enjoy your write-ups and always wish I could write like you. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and others around you. Your appreciation will certainly useful to me to boost my self –esteem. Thank you so much.

Submitted by RAJESH KHANNA on August 19, 2018 - 11:03

I am a first time viditor to this site.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:06

Thank you for your kind comment.

Submitted by Neelesh Thaker on August 21, 2018 - 17:22

Hearty congratulations to Shri Mahendra Rathod Sir as well as Shri Subhash Mathur Sir in bringing out such a nice compilation depicting tribals, human moods, nature, animals, birds etc It also shows the passion of the person towards this art and immense amount of patience required to wait for a right click. Best wishes for many more such contributions for years to come.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:07

Thanks for such a thoughtful and thorough review. Your awesome appreciation and hearty wishes will certainly help me to keep doing my best. Thank you.

Submitted by Mangala Singh on August 22, 2018 - 12:27

An Artist in Uniform...
This E- book is filled with striking photography, beautiful description of the wildlife, nicely illustrated with handsome photographs.
The author has genuinely put his very best advice and experience into these pages.
Plus, it’s written in friendly, easy to understand language that makes the book a fun and enjoyable read.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:09

I want to personally let you know, how gratifying it is to receive a kind note of appreciation from a big hearted person like you who is not only ardent nature lover but a great animal right activist too. Your compassion, kindness and appreciation for animals always instil me. Your pics surrounded by rescued animals at home inspire me for profound empathy. Your appreciation means a lot to me! Thank you!

Submitted by Parth rathod on August 22, 2018 - 17:45

Awesome ✨✨

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:10

Thanks for reading my book and for kind appreciation.

Submitted by Sandipkumar L Sheth on August 24, 2018 - 07:41

Congratulations Shri Mahendra Rathod sir, we all are fan of your photography and enjoying clicks since long, sir this book gives us all together, it is really impossible to describe your talents, in various fields, in addition to Uniformed job profile, keep d good work on sir, wish you all d best

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:13

Thank you very much for telling me how much you have enjoyed my photography, but let me tell you, I am too fan of your fantastic "Shayaris”. I'm flattered of appreciation from a wonderful person like you Thank you for your wonderful wishes.

Submitted by Sandipkumar L Sheth on September 22, 2018 - 17:07

Thanks sir
Keep d flow of great inputs in many field on sir, I am blessed having in touch with a nice senior officer like you.

Submitted by pravin kapadia on August 24, 2018 - 23:14

Congrats bro it was nice to see all click done by you, some of the pic was remarkable, was not easy to forget, enjoyable, keep it up, good wishes from me and my family

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:16

I am delighted to receive your beautiful note. Thanks a lot for telling me how much you have enjoyed my photography. I also thank you for your beautiful wishes. Truly I have been blessed to have you in my life as my friend.

Submitted by Asheesh on August 26, 2018 - 17:27

Very nice nd interesting book

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:19

Thanks a million for reading my book and share your valuable words of appreciation.

Submitted by V S VENKATRAMAN on August 29, 2018 - 22:05

Many congratulations on your initiative. All the pictures were awesome specially the innocence of the tribals. I am amazed by the way you have tried to excel in your office work, physical fitness, following your passion with dedication.. Keep it up and looking forward to see many more through your lens... God bless you...

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:20

Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for being a good reader. I am elated knowing that my photography made you happy and its worth your appreciation. Accept my gratitude for your kind words of appreciation and wishes.

Submitted by Piyali Kanabar on September 2, 2018 - 00:51

I am really aghast at the acumen of Mr Mahendra Rathore with his lenses. Caprturing wild life needs a lot of patience and great observation which probably is what he needs in his job too. Apart from his knack of wildlife photography I have seen his mastery in clicking portraits, equally amazing! The genre of photography is way different, he actually puts life in his pictures which is really adorable.Congratulations! Mahendra ji, wish you many more achievements.

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 9, 2018 - 13:23

I really appreciate the time you’ve taken out of your busy schedule for delivering your kind note of appreciation. You're so thoughtful. As a committed teacher and great motivator, you bring out the best in other people. As you have observed, really it is a big challenge for me to keep balance between work and my passion. But admiration and motivation from generous people like you keeps me going. Your appreciation means a lot to me! Thanks for all your kind wishes.

Submitted by P. Bhargav - IP... on September 14, 2018 - 04:43

It was a wonderful experience to explore India's vivid wild life and tribal culture through your lens. Well narrated photo-book with amazing photo clicks. It takes the reader through the experiences you had; the thrill that you would have felt when photographing the tigress on hunt, a reader would also feel the same when they see the photographs and read the story. Well captured moments. Your love for nature, patience and passion for photography is reflected in each and every photograph of the book. Through out your the photographic journey with Institute for Photography Excellence-India, in-spite of your responsible position and busy schedules in job, your commitment and dedication towards photography has remained impressive and inspirational for other photography students as well. We happy and proud to see your wonderful journey and progress in photography. Congratulations and best wishes. Look forward to see more in future...

Submitted by Mahendra Rathod on September 21, 2018 - 15:59

I am profoundly grateful to you, sir, for these most valuable words of appreciation. I’m here today largely due to your impact. I remember, photography had been a dream hobby of mine for years before I met you. Very often I was having a picture in my head that I wanted to create, but I did not know how to manipulate my camera to make it happen, due to lack of technical knowledge! This was frustrating me. That was you, who taught me how to hold camera and how to take best pictures. I never would have had fostered and sustained my passion and love for photography, if I wasn’t supported by you. Your constructive guidance, tailored attention, and inquisitive instruction throughout my time with you, in the Institute or during photography expeditions, was both humbling and inspiring. I owe a debt of gratitude for believing in me and all that you have done for me. Apart from being an exceptional photographer, you have been an excellent friend, teacher, mentor and a great inspiration for me. I truly appreciate and value everything I have learned from you. Sir, I thank you for your part in my journey and wish for your blessings for the journey ahead.

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