What happens when a business student with an unused camera steps into the vibrant chaos of a traditional Indian market? For Himani Priyamwada, it resulted in the ultimate validation: having her work personally selected by the iconic, legendary Indian photographer, Raghu Rai.
Himani, a BBA (Hons) Accounting and Finance student at Ahmedabad University, didn't set out to capture headlines. However, her evocative imagery documenting Ahmedabad’s "invisible economies" has done exactly that, earning her a coveted spot in an upcoming international publication.
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Capturing the Invisible Economies of Ahmedabad
When Himani walked into Ahmedabad’s famous Sunday market near the Sabarmati Riverfront, she chose to look past the superficial hustle. Instead, her lens focused on the quiet dignity of everyday labor, the street vendors, small-scale traders, and the children who grow up alongside these micro-businesses.
Her artistic philosophy is simple yet profound: “The picture should speak for itself. One should be able to see it and feel something without being offered any explanation.”
This emotional depth shone through in her selected works. One photograph captures a poignant moment of vendors' children selling broomsticks, while another, titled Bicycle Wheels, magnifies the gritty reality of a local wheel seller. These aren't just snapshots; they are a visual commentary on economic resilience, urban transformation, and social justice in the Global South.
Selected by a Master: The Raghu Rai Connection
Himani’s unique perspective caught the attention of the Indian National Habitat Forum. Two of her photographs have been shortlisted for a highly anticipated Routledge publication titled City Economies in the Global South: Growth, Inclusion and Sustainability.
In an extraordinary achievement, her piece Bicycle Wheels was one of just seven images globally to be personally curated and selected by the late master of Indian street photography, Raghu Rai.
"I did not realize my full potential," Himani shared, reflecting on the milestone. "But this recognition made me feel that if I try harder, the results can completely change. It gave me the confidence to continue in this field alongside my studies."
The Power of Interdisciplinary Education
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Himani’s success story is that she is not a professional photography student. She is a finance major.
Her journey into street photography began almost entirely by chance, thanks to Ahmedabad University’s unique interdisciplinary curriculum. The university strongly encourages students to step out of their academic comfort zones. Owning a DSLR camera that was gathering dust, Himani decided to enroll in a photography elective.
The course proved transformative. It taught her how to balance camera mechanics with visual storytelling, utilizing light, shadow, and raw realism. Field trips across Ahmedabad sharpened her observational skills, transforming her understanding of the city.
“It was just one course, and it changed my whole perspective,” Himani notes. “It is not only about being good at studies. You must find your talent within you through these courses. They help in character building and give you the confidence to show your talent to the world.”
Reimagining the Future of Higher Education
Himani’s achievement serves as a powerful testament to the value of holistic, cross-disciplinary education. When academic institutions break down traditional silos, allowing accounting formulas to coexist with creative photography, they unlock hidden dimensions of student potential.
As Himani prepares to graduate and pursue her master's degree, she carries forward more than just a finance degree; she leaves with the validated perspective of an artist recognized by one of the greatest eyes in photographic history.
