Meet this Solapur surgeon who is also a bird photographer and wildlife conservationist

In Part I of this photo essay, we feature the creative works of Dr Vyankatesh Metan at Chitrakala Parishat, and his mission of increasing social appreciation about wildlife.

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 230 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat in Bengaluru recently hosted an inspiring exhibition of wildlife photographs by Vyankatesh Metan. "I am a surgeon, wildlife photographer, bird-watcher, traveler, Rotarian, and social worker,” he explained, in a chat with YourStory.

Vyankatesh is an orthopaedic surgeon based in Solapur, Maharashtra. He has also been an avid bird-watcher and wildlife photographer for over 20 years, and believes birds have a lot to teach us. Indeed, each photograph at the exhibition is accompanied by a witty caption about how we humans need to learn from birds – some of the captions are showcased in this photo essay.

Vyankatesh has travelled to over 25 countries, including wildlife parks in India and Africa. He won the Vasundhara Mitra award in 2014, and some of his photographs are published in Maruti Chittampallie’s book on birds, titled Pakshikosh. The current exhibition is aptly titled ‘Connect with Nature,’ and the next exhibition will be at Jahangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, in October.

Vyankatesh has served as President of Solapur Orthopaedic Society and Chairman of Computer Society of India Solapur Chapter, and is a life member of the Bombay Natural History Society. He joins us in an interview in Part II of this photo essay and shares insights about how he manages to multi-task effectively, his journey into the world of birds, and how citizens can become more involved in appreciation and preservation of nature.

Now what you have done today to go beyond your busy work schedule, and admire and protect the world of nature around us?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

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