Ishan Shanavas

Ishan Shanavas is a 22-year-old photographer, artist, and writer currently studying at Ashoka University. In The Light of Wilder Things, he shares a transformative encounter at age 14—a chance meeting with a tiger—that ignited a profound passion for India’s wilderness. Over seven years, Ishan journeys across diverse landscapes, from the lush Western Ghats to the majestic Himalayas, seeking knowledge beyond conventional schooling. Written in evocative, lyrical prose, this memoir captures the breathtaking beauty and urgent fragility of nature, alongside a young man’s quest for self-discovery and purpose. Through his fine-art photography, sculpture, and writing, Ishan explores the intersections of ecology, creativity, and the human experience, sharing his insights via his blog and newsletter, The Owlet.