Whispers in Stone showcases India in varied settings

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Whispers in Stone – Chronicles of a Civilisation, an exhibition of photographs on India’s cultural heritage, will be held at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Updated - July 15, 2026 04:06 pm IST

Chennakesava Temple, Belur | Photo Credit: Retd Brigadier AP Singh

India is dotted with temples, monuments and architectural marvels that are an integral part of the landscape, blending into its natural surroundings. Whispers in Stone, an exhibition of photographs captured by retd Brigadier AP Singh documents some of these sites from around the country.

“Only when you begin travelling, do you realise how little we know about our country,” says Singhwho has travelled to remote regions of the country by way of his work. “I would always take photographs wherever I went during my tenure, but at the time it was as a hobbyist. It was after I retired in 2007 that I began focusing on documenting our heritage.”

To this end, Singh undertook a historical research of these places and began writing detailed photo blogs of his travels. These blogs were eventually converted into books: Kashmir: The Land of Rishis (2023) and Temples of Goa: History, Portuguese Persecution and Revival (2025).

“Many sites are remote and inaccessible even today,” says Singh. He continues, “There is a temple carved into the cliff along the River Gomti. With dense jungles all around, the only way you can reach it is by boat, and yet, the reliefs on cliff seemingly rise vertically out of the river, looming up to almost 30 metres in height.”

“One can only wonder how it was constructed in those days using basic tools. There is attention to the most minutest of details such as the workmanship on a necklace adorning a statue.”

“The Dhankar Monastery in Spiti Valley is another example of an engineering marvel. Transporting construction material to that elevation could not have been done on a daily basis and a large contingent of people would have had to stay there till the work was completed.”

The Dhankar Monastery was originally built as a fort and is approximately 1,000 years old.

Dhankar Monastery, Spiti Valley | Photo Credit: Retd Brigadier AP Singh

Singh says it was during his travels with like-minded people that the idea of a photo exhibition came about. As the plan took shape, his travel buddies Prof. RH Kulkarni, principal of the Bengaluru School of Visual Arts, offered to curate the show, while retd Lt. Cdr Vikram Naik, founder of the Naik Philanthropic Centre (NPC) in Mumbai, is sponsoring it.

Both Singh and Naik hope to take Whispers in Stone around the country and say their aim is “not religious or political, but rather to create awareness,” especially among school-going children. “This is not a commercial venture, but one that focuses on our heritage. The photos are not so much on places of worship, but of a civilisation,” says Singh.

“After a trip to Ladakh and a couple of other places, we were brainstorming about our heritage and culture, when we realised that between us, we had the photographs, knowledge and means to put together a comprehensive show. That is how we started,” recalls Naik, adding Whispers in Stone includes all manner of rock art and architecture, with the oldest dating back about 30,000 years.

According to Naik, the NPC is structured around the themes of health, knowledge and culture and to this end, their projects are implemented through land-and sea-based expeditions as well as via museums, documentaries and literature; Whispers in Stone falls under the latter. “Our vision is to showcase our heritage and traditions not only across our country, but outside India too.”

“Travelling costs can be prohibitive and everyone may not get the chance to see these wonders in person,” says Singh, adding photographs are an apt medium to share information.

Schools bringing students for the exhibition get the added benefit of workshops at the Bengaluru School of Visual Arts. “At the School’s labs, children will get to see how paintings and sculptures are created. In this way, we hope to build an all-round awareness in young people.”

The photos on display are available for sale and the catalogue at the venue doubles as a mini coffee table book. Whispers in Stone is a self-funded project, comprising 74 photographs, which span, “rock art, rock-cut sanctuaries, temple architecture and living traditions”.