Prarthna speaks to Blur The Border :

Blur : Having grown up in Delhi and later studied and worked in the United States, how has navigating both Indian and western visual cultures influenced your approach to storytelling?

Prarthna : Receiving an education at The Rhode Island School of Design was a privilege, and one that I don’t take for granted. My time at art school was deeply formative, especially in instilling a strong sense of rigour in me, a principle I came to understand as essential to my creative practice. One of the most important lessons from my RISD years was that building meaningful and impactful work takes time, requires sincere dedication, perseverance and just a bit of madness! However, it was only after moving back home to India that I learned how to implement these lessons. Working on-ground, I soon discovered how challenging it was to build trust, get access and to adapt to the constantly evolving socio-political landscape. It is these learnings that gradually pushed my practice to go beyond the act of image making, something I believe is inextricably linked to the manner in which I create- where human connections will always take precedence. In India, unlike the west, it is often the friendships we forge and the relationships we build that serve as essential and powerful tools in enabling sustained, long-term engagement. It is this sense of camaraderie and commitment that allows us to move away from the surface and to be able to go in-depth.

Blur : Do you have a definitive process while creating? Are there any habits or rituals that help you get into a creative mindset?

Prarthna : Honestly, my creative process is constantly evolving, no two days look the same. Some days it begins with simply just getting off social media and decluttering my mind. Other times it's a conversation with a fellow creative that helps put things in perspective. Listening to a good album, a slow morning staring at the hornbills that come to the tree outside my home, baking, cleaning and re-organising the house-these everyday rituals play a significant part in my creative process. You’d be surprised how much thinking, planning and ideating actually happens here! 

The other big one for me is being surrounded by nature, the simple act of lying in a park, looking up at the trees and sky is essential for my mental health. It’s a quiet reminder of the tiny specks we are in the vastness of the universe, and how important it is to slow down and stay grounded. I find myself returning to this ritual often, it helps me feel renewed and keeps my anxieties at bay.

Blur : What role does your environment play in fueling your creativity or shaping your ideas?

Prarthna : My surroundings and where I belong are inseparable from what I create. My practice does not exist in isolation, it is a direct response to the times we are living in and the urgent realities unfolding around us. I feel equally committed to my art as I am to upholding the truth. In a world where violence and suffering are increasingly interconnected and perpetuated by those in power, it is essential and inspiring to see artists confronting these realities through the stories they choose to tell. Raising my voice through my work feels like both a responsibility and a form of resistance, especially in spaces where women have been historically silenced and marginalised. Through all my various projects I hope to honour our long-standing legacy of resistance and to make space for individual truths and testimonies, treating them not just as anecdotal, but as powerful tools for change.

Blur : How do you maintain your artistic voice while collaborating on brand-led projects?

Prarthna : This is something I’ve had to gradually learn to navigate over the years and I’ll admit, it's still not easy. Your artistic voice is your most powerful tool, it’s your north star, your guiding light. Whenever a brand approaches me, the one thing I know is that no matter what our collaboration looks like, I have to keep my voice intact. The key I’ve found is to remain flexible and accommodating, while also being clear about your non-negotiables. And ya, definitely easier said than done! My creative practice is an extension of who I am, so it’s important for me to build work I can stand behind, work I’m passionate about and proud to be associated with. That said, sometimes the rent is due, and you just got to do what you’ve got to do! Over time, I’ve come to understand the extent I’m willing to compromise. That clarity has helped me stay focused on where I want to direct my time and energy. It is this self-awareness that I find essential to meaningful storytelling, whether it’s in your independent practice or in partnership with a brand. Learning to say no and letting go of projects that don’t align with my creative vision and spirit is something I’ve learned to honour.

Blur : How do you think visual culture in India, especially within media and photography, is evolving when it comes to the representation of women?

Prarthna : Not to sound jaded, but in India, we still have a long way to go. The same few male names have dominated the field for decades. It’s time that changed, and honestly, at this point a shift to an all-female roster wouldn’t feel radical, if anything, it’s long overdue.

Real representation will come when more women are behind the camera. Lately, it's been heartening to see so many phenomenal female creatives pushing back, challenging both the gatekeepers and the patriarchy by telling their own stories on their own terms. They’re bringing fresh perspectives and shaping a unique visual language that is gripping, nuanced and personal. So then it comes as no surprise that some of the most compelling work I’ve come across recently has been female-led and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Blur : Do you feel there's a growing space in fashion and editorial photography for socially conscious storytelling?

Prarthna : I’d hope so. My current engagement with fashion is minimal, I consciously stepped away from working primarily in that field about a decade ago. That said, it feels like an exciting moment to re-think old approaches and if there isn’t space yet, it feels like the right time to create it. If designers are working with a socially conscious mindset, I’d imagine they would want those values to carry through into their communication and imagery as well.

Blur : Has your definition of success changed over the years, from working in studios to self-publishing a photo book to being published in some of the world's most reputed publications?

Prarthna : Yes! I think my definition of success has entirely changed since my twenties to the person I am today. In this increasingly brutal and heart breaking world we inhabit, success for me means choosing to create with kindness and acting with love. It means moving through life and work with a genuine sense of purpose, compassion, and integrity. As an artist, I hope that what I do continues to carry lasting impact, to ignite conversations, to question, to reveal- but always with deep empathy and care.

Blur : If you were to collaborate with another artist, within or outside your discipline, what kind of collaboration would you love to do?

Prarthna : Oooh! It would have to be something food-related. So perhaps with a chef, a food researcher? My dream job is to be a condiment maker/tester. There's something so fascinating about the small things that can elevate a meal-especially in our culture. I definitely have a few strong food-photo ideas, now it’s just about finding the right support to bring them to life.