From Ambala to Bambai: A Photographer's First Photozine Journey

Ambala-based photographer Tushar Narula turned his lens on Mumbai's Ganeshotsav 2025 to create his debut photozine Bambai. Blending devotion, street life and festival grandeur, the project marks his first step into the world of self-publishing and the timeless power of print.

- TUSHAR NARULA, AMBALA

I come from Ambala and originally trained as a pharmacist. Over time, my interests took me towards photography and mass communication. I pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Photography and later an Advanced Diploma in Mass Communication. For the past 10 years, I have been practising photography in different forms. Along the way, I have received recognition too! My photographs have appeared in various publications. I was also honoured with the National Photography Award by the Ministry of Rural Education, Government of India.

Currently, I am documenting Ambala for a coffee table book and also run a local social media platform called Ambala Bytes. But in September 2025, I completed another milestone: my first ever photozine.

The Birth of Bambai

The photozine came out of my visit to Mumbai during Ganeshotsav. Mumbai, or Bambai, as it is fondly called, transforms completely during those days. From the famous Lalbaughcha Raja to the uniquely designed Parelcha Maharaja, the festival brings devotion, colour, chaos and joy to every corner of the city.

I had just upgraded to a semiprofessional camera and wanted my first serious shoot with it to be turned into something tangible. Since Lord Ganesha is considered the God of New Beginnings, I felt it was symbolic to start my journey of photobooks and photozines with Ganeshotsav. This photozine is A5 size (148 x 210 mm), handy and compact, with 16 pages and 28 photographs. It was printed in September 2025, just after the festival.

From Concept to Print