This spring, the city of Ahmedabad becomes the stage for one of India’s most significant conservation tributes as photographer and conservationist Kairav Engineer premieres Ranthambhore – 50 Iconic Years. Held from February 12–15 at ’79 Stories’ on Rajpath Rangoli Road, the event marks not just the launch of a landmark book but an immersive exhibition honouring the legacy of the late Valmik Thapar, the ‘Tiger Man of India’. Co-authored by Thapar shortly before his passing, the project stands as a final testament to his lifelong devotion to India’s wilderness.
At the core of this ambitious undertaking is the book Ranthambhore – 50 Iconic Years, a sweeping visual chronicle of Ranthambhore National Park. Established in 1974 and now celebrated as India’s crown jewel of tiger conservation, the park’s golden jubilee in 2024 inspired a renewed exploration of its transformative journey. Curated from five decades of field documentation, the volume traces its trajectory from uncertain beginnings through its emergence as a global emblem of tiger tourism and ecological revival. Through the Engineer’s photographic eye—one that combines creative sensibility with a conservationist’s discipline—the book evokes the beauty, fragility, and resilience of the forest.
What distinguishes this volume is its structural departure from traditional chronological histories. Inspired by Thapar’s philosophy that the forest is a place of perpetual discovery, the book unfolds like a series of safaris—each turn of the page offering an unexpected perspective or moment of revelation. This narrative depth is amplified by contributions from more than 130 Indian and international photographers, whose collective archive creates a mosaic of memories, milestones, and encounters that together define Ranthambhore’s heritage.
The accompanying exhibition transforms the concept of a book launch into an evocative, multisensory journey spanning two levels. The ground floor invites visitors to step into the historical layers of the landscape. Through archival maps, rare paintings, and textual accounts, the gallery connects the region’s Mughal-era heritage to its modern conservation story, exploring the early coexistence of humans and wildlife amid the ruins of the majestic Ranthambhore Fort. A meticulously designed timeline installation further anchors visitors in five decades of ecological milestones and conservation breakthroughs.
Ascending to the first floor, visitors enter the raw, emotional world of the jungle. Towering lightboxes and large-scale installations depict tigers, forests, and the changing seasons with cinematic clarity. Reflecting the deeply collaborative ethos of the book, this section features an expansive range of photographs crowdsourced from the vast community of wildlife photographers who have traversed Ranthambhore over the last fifty years. The result is an immersive tribute not only to the landscape but to the generations of storytellers who have documented its evolution.
In keeping with the spirit of the project, all proceeds from the book and exhibition will be donated to Tiger Watch, the conservation charity long supported by Thapar. These contributions will fund anti-poaching programs and strengthen support for frontline forest guards—the dedicated custodians whose vigilance enables Ranthambhore’s wildlife to survive and flourish.
The authors’ backgrounds underscore the project’s significance. Engineer, Executive Director at Astral Limited, is known for bridging technology and conservation, with initiatives through the Astral Foundation that include solar-powered waterholes, habitat renewal, and rapid-response patrol innovations across India. Thapar, revered globally for his conservation work and author of more than forty books, reshaped public understanding of the tiger and influenced wildlife policy for generations. His passing in 2025 left a profound void—but this volume ensures his final vision continues to guide India’s conservation narrative.
Ranthambhore – 50 Iconic Years is more than a book or exhibition; it is a historical testament, a collaborative art project, and a heartfelt tribute to the wild. It celebrates not only the grandeur of one of India’s most storied landscapes but also the enduring legacy of two individuals—an artist and a legendary naturalist—united by their devotion to the tiger and its timeless home.
Feature Image: Photograph of Kairav Engineer (Credit: Photographer)
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