When a software developer from Bengaluru decided to go to Ladakh for a two-week holiday in February 2020, he had no idea that in a year, he would call it home. He also didn't think that in four years, he would quit his job to pursue photography and teach analog printing in one of the most remote villages in the region, Likir.
Ayan Biswas, 36, had worked with Oracle for close to seven years -- five years in Bengaluru and two in Ladakh -- before quitting in May. Having had had a taste of the slow, mountain life, he said it was not as easy for him to return to Bengaluru.
"I was in Likir right before the Covid lockdown was announced in February. And when the last flights were announced before the lockdown, I chose to stay here," he told Moneycontrol. Biswas had previously travelled in Ladakh as an art teacher and felt more comfortable staying back in the village. He also had several unused leaves at work and decided not to travel.
During this time, Biswas lived in a homestay and even helped the owners build a single-storey house while keeping himself isolated from villagers.
But as the lockdown extended and Biswas used up his leaves, he decided to speak with his manager at Oracle. "They have been very supportive," he said. He was allowed to work from home during the pandemic up until he quit.
"I didn't quit because they were calling me back to the office," Biswas said. "In fact, my manager and the company's director encouraged my creative ventures and would have extended the work-from-home arrangement. They also supported a healthy work-life balance. I quit because I did not want to live that dual life anymore. Coding in the morning and making art in the evening." During his time in Bengaluru, Biswas was involved with a theatre group in creating the backdrops -- a role in which he had to build and paint.
Until May in Ladakh, he would work in the morning, teach analog printing, photography, and even help local farmers in the long evenings (the sun sets around 7 pm in the region in summer).
The situation was effective. He was earning Rs 14 lakh a year and had built a temporary home for himself on land belonging to the homestay owner. He had befriended fellow villagers and would help them in their chores, including chopping wood and digging canals. In turn, when Biswas decided to build a house for himself with his hands, he was helped by his new friends. He was also getting photography commissions and would often be away on weekends for projects.
Soon, however, Biswas decided it was time to let the software engineer job go and grow as a photographer and documentary filmmaker.
"After I began to take making art seriously, I realised that it wasn't just what I made, it was also a way of life," Biswas said. "I can't compartmentalise it and think about it only in the evenings or on weekends. And if my heart wasn't in the job then I was also doing a disservice to my company which had been so good to me."
He added that he would not look for another job. When asked if he isn't bothered about the finances, Biswas said he lives a simple life in Likir and barely needs more than Rs 10,000 a month.
"It's just been a month since I quit and so far there has been a steady flow of photography and a few other related projects so I am not worried about the money now, but I think I can make this work," he told Moneycontrol.
Biswas was a documentary photographer for the 10-day Sa-Ladakh --contemporary land art group festival -- earlier in June. The gig earned him Rs 35,000. "When I said I wanted to live like how full-time artists do, I meant the hard parts of it too. So in case opportunities dry up, I will work through it, but I don't think I am ever taking up a 9-5 job again," he said.
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