10 Instagram Accounts That Portray Everyday Life in India

Documentary photographer Asif Khan paints a picture of India that is at once genuine and surreal. Through his Instagram account @as1fk, Asif captures the lives of everyday Indians in rural and remote regions. His subjects often include distinct cultural and social themes such as the life of local fishermen plying the river Ganges or the jam-packed classrooms of public schools in Uttar Pradesh.

Siddhartha Joshi’s work mostly revolves around the hustle and bustle of Mumbai life, capturing subtle moments in the lives of its citizens. This professional photographer has a unique penchant for separating the surreal from the mundane. His subjects come from wide sections of society – ranging from a friendly Uber driver stuck in Mumbai traffic to a hawker setting up shop in the early hours of the morning.

Soofi is a columnist, writer and photojournalist based out of Delhi and he is best-known for capturing the quirks of city life. His posts are known for their detail and ability to narrate and weave intricate stories through imagery. While Soofi’s work routinely finds space in some of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, it is on Instagram that he truly thrives. This self-proclaimed ‘Hyperlocal Homer’ is at his best when portraying scenes of everyday life that others often overlook, like in this post featuring a cycle-rickshaw-wallah taking a break after a hard day’s work.

PARI, or the People’s Archive of Rural India, is one of the leading social work organisations in India started by award-winning development journalist P. Sainath. Complementing its work at the grassroots level is its Instagram handle, @pari.network, which does a great job of capturing the inspiring stories and travails of people in rural India. Apart from its uplifting portraits of rural life, PARI’s account also casts a window into some of the most pressing social issues. Its Instagram shorts deal with problems such as natural disasters, farmer suicides and government measures such as Demonetisation – capturing their impact on rural India in vivid detail.

The quirky and interesting Instagram profile founded by filmmaker Shanu Babar weaves an intricate portrait of India by capturing life on its trains that ferry millions across the country every day. Trains are an incredible repository of inspiring stories and experiences and The Window Seat Project presents a direct portal to experience it first-hand. The project not only captures India’s vivid landscapes one train journey at a time, but also sheds light on the amalgamation of cultures aboard India’s trains and the millions of people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

This Mumbai-based photographer chronicles life on the fast lane in the famous local trains of Mumbai. Anushree’s work delves into various sections of society that depend on the train for their livelihood – ranging from transgenders and hawkers to everyday office goers. Her work thrives on the fact that her subjects are so relatable to everyday Mumbaikars.

Unlike other accounts featured above, the India Photo Project account publishes a collection of noteworthy works depicting India from across Instagram. The account @indiaphotoproject, founded and run by accomplished photographer Sumit Dayal, is a one-stop-shop for anyone looking for a window into the real India on Instagram. Routinely featuring the works of award-winning photographers, the India Photo Project is the next best thing to a real-life art gallery on Instagram.

This famous documentary photographer has a penchant for portraiture and for capturing intricate stories through his work. Koruth’s primary focus is on the unique and interesting rituals, practices and festivals that stem from different cultures throughout the country. Going by the name Fotobaba, he also focusses on tribal communities that inhabit India’s farthest reaches, shedding light on parts of the country that are seldom in the spotlight.

This Delhi-based photojournalist revels in the human side of news, often pulling out stunning portraits from the sidelines of politics and big events in the capital and beyond. Ravi’s projects often focus on struggles of the poorest sections of society and shed light on several pressing issues including pollution, child labour and human rights.