Age

'Age' is a series I worked on during the pandemic when, after 11 years, my family reunited. My father's job as a bank manager kept us apart, but the lockdown brought us all home indefinitely. Just two months before the pandemic, he retired early, seeking a restful life. But within four months, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Amid this upheaval, I reacted somewhat selfishly, immediately applying for a Master's Program in Paris. My father encouraged us to move forward, and I juggled education loans, and visas, and became his caregiver. We moved to Kolkata, while my brother stayed in Siliguri to look after his wife who was pregnant at the time. But there were moments of warmth. I photographed my parents, their skin, wrinkles, and folds - some of which appeared new to me. When I left for Paris we knew this would be our last goodbye. And when my brother finally called to tell me, there was a flow of relief, guilt, and love. To me ‘Age’ is a memoir of the time, we spent as a family. Those last few months, when we lived together and rediscovered each other with greater discomfort and more appreciation.