ABOUT

Lang Kupar War is an Assistant Professor and photographer based in Shillong, Meghalaya. While he spends his weekdays as an Assistant Professor of English at North-Eastern Hill University, photography remains his enduring passion. Since 2009, he has focused primarily on documentary, street, and conceptual photography.

 

Lang’s photographic works have been featured in prominent exhibitions, including the Shillong World Photography Day Exhibition, the Shillong International Photography Festival, and the World Human Rights Day Photography Exhibition.

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Apart from photography, Lang has also ventured into filmmaking. His experimental film "Leaving Home" explores themes of displacement and loss of indigenous culture through the journey of a family revisiting their ancestral village in Sohra. The film received the 2nd prize at the Wild Vueing Festival 2021, hosted by Harkat Studios and supported by the Gujral Foundation.

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Currently, Lang is documenting the indigenous Khasi festival "Pomlang" or "Shad Nongkrem," capturing its vibrant rituals and traditional significance. Additionally, he is working on a project highlighting the indigenous weekly markets of the Khasi Hills, which act as essential centres for cultural exchange and community interaction.

 

Influenced profoundly by celebrated photographers such as Raghu Rai, Graciela Iturbide, Matt Black, and Daido Moriyama, Lang continues to develop his unique visual style. Among his personal favorites is "Elegy of Chaos," a compelling image taken in Mylliem, of a partially excavated hill symbolizing both beauty and environmental destruction.

 

For Lang, photography extends beyond mere image-making; it is a means to deeply engage with the world, find profound meaning in fleeting moments, and continuously explore personal and artistic growth. Following a period of creative burnout, he now emphasizes authenticity and passion in his creative pursuits.

 

Looking ahead, Lang intends to pursue photography with greater intentionality, further refine his craft, and publish his first photography book. Photography remains central to his life, inspiring continuous exploration and expression.