It was 4:00 a.m. when we left. The world was asleep, but we were already in motion — chasing first light with the kind of urgency that only artists and warriors understand. My mentor, Rajeev Singh, a celebrated photographer whose work I had long admired, was on a mission: to capture the sunrise from a newly built bridge over a river.
And I was with him — not just as a companion, but as an apprentice.
The Road Less Smooth, The Intention Crystal Clear
We didn’t know exactly where the location was. The GPS was glitching. The roads were broken. Time was not on our side. But there was no panic — only presence. We asked locals for directions, took detours, bounced through potholes. There was a clarity in our intention that made every obstacle feel like part of the ritual.
I was not just witnessing a shoot. I was witnessing a way of life — a silent sādhanā in motion.
The Peaceful Warrior with a Camera
He didn’t speak much during the shoot. His movements were deliberate, precise — like a classical musician lost in raga, or a monk performing his morning ablutions. But every frame he clicked carried weight. He was not capturing beauty — he was creating meaning. The camera was his tool, but his real mastery lay in how he saw the world.
In those moments, I fell in love — not just with photography, but with the poise, purpose, and quiet fire behind his craft.
To me, Rajeev Singh is not just a mentor. He is a Guru — not because he taught me technique, but because he helped me see that work, when done with awareness and love, becomes worship.
We Won the War of Art That Day
We reached just in time. The sky began to glow. The river reflected gold. We worked in silence, the only sound being the shutter and the occasional birdcall. By 8:00 a.m., the mission was complete. Not just a shoot — but a small victory.
The rest of the day flowed like the river beneath the bridge — effortless, grateful, radiant.
Start before the world wakes. The best work is often done when no one is watching.
Be ready to face uncertainty. When GPS fails, your intention must guide you.
Follow someone who inspires you. A Guru doesn’t give answers — they show you how to see.
Respect the process. Every step, every frame, every breath — is part of the offering.
Finish strong. When you win the morning, you win the day.
A Note of Gratitude
To Shree Rajeev Singh — photographer, guide, and silent flame — thank you for showing me that the camera is not just a device to capture light, but a discipline that reveals inner clarity. You’ve taught me that real work is not performance — it is prayer in motion.
Work is no longer worship in this distracted world. But it still can be — if you choose to arrive early, stay present, and move with devotion. You don’t need incense. You don’t need applause. Just your two hands, a clear mind, and a quiet fire in your heart.
Because when your hands move with devotion, even dust becomes divine.
