“Sisters not by blood, but by bonds that run deep,
In valleys and villages, their promises they keep.
Through years and miles, their love does not sway,
‘Mitinis’ in joy and sorrow, they find their way.”
In the broad Nepali cultural tradition, ‘mitinis’ are friends or ‘sisters’ for life, bound not by blood but by choice. A mit or mitini is an age-old custom where two unrelated individuals choose each other as special friends, sealing their bond with a ritual and a formal announcement to their friends and family. This bond is believed to be stronger than that of a sibling, exemplifying the adage that the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
This photo story focuses on female friendships between mitinis in the remote village of ‘Naiche’ in Lamjung, around 230 km west of the capital, Kathmandu. These bonds of friendships transcend caste, creed, language, and economic background. ‘Naiche’ is primarily a Gurung village, but mitinis include women from the Chhetri, Brahmin, Tamang, and Thakali communities. Although married off to other
villages near and far, they maintain their emotional thread, connecting them and their families. They talk over the phone, send each other Koselis-gifts, and participate in every significant life event, such as weddings and funerals.
In a world often divided by barriers, these chosen bonds stand as a reminder that relationships built on mutual respect and love have the power to transcend differences.
I am a visual storyteller, documentary photographer, and filmmaker drawn to layered and nuanced stories. Through my photography and filmmaking journey, my attempt is to spark conversations around the topics I explore. As an educator, I also mentor young aspiring filmmakers and photographers.
Working with development organizations both within and beyond Nepal has allowed me to fulfil my aspirations to travel to distant locales, meet fascinating individuals, and embrace the unpredictability of streets and lives.
I have had opportunities to participate in the International Class for Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the University of Applied Science and Arts in Hanover, Germany in 2021; the Angkor Photo Workshop in Cambodia in 2024; and the International Storytelling Workshop organized by Oslo Metropolitan University (Norway) in Nepal. These experiences have broadened my perspective and enriched my creative vision.
My work has so far been featured in several national and international publications and won a National Award from the Sony World Photography Awards in 2023. Recently, I have been experimenting with analog photography, exploring its technical aspects and post-production processes. Using medium-format film for this project has allowed me to further delve into people's formative years and immerse myself in their stories.