Hashim Badani

Hashim Badani’s work spans genres. His photography work includes editorial, travel, fashion and documentary and has been featured in several publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Slate Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller and Lonely Planet Magazine amongst others. His personal work revolves around experimenting and creating stories within his hometown, Mumbai.
During the initial months of lockdown, Hashim felt disoriented, with distance and direction losing their usual meaning. Despite being close enough to spot his parents’ home, he felt emotionally distant, especially during Ramzan, when not visiting felt surreal.
Instead of physically visiting, Hashim borrowed a telescope, which became a unique means of communication with his mother. They exchanged photos through the lens, forming a routine amidst the separation.
During this time, Hashim found himself capturing glimpses of the city, focusing on familiar landmarks like the port and the sea, where his father worked and where he grew up. These scenes, seemingly unreachable yet familiar, paralleled the comforting presence of the moon during Ramzan.
Traditions, particularly those tied to the lunar cycle, offered solace to Hashim in tough times, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle in the lunar chart made over thirty days.
The grid of images captured through the telescope served as a map, guiding Hashim back home, both physically and emotionally