When a surgeon turns photographer: Dr Ramakanta Panda’s wildlife world arrives at Kala Ghoda

A pair of Greater Flamingos, accompanied by a juvenile (centre), captured in the brilliant gold colours of sunrise in Mumbai. Pics courtesy/Dr Ramakanta Panda

Wildlife photography is not just about capturing an image; for me, it is a way of creating awareness," we are told by Dr Ramakanta Panda. The cardiac surgeon and Padma Bhushan recipient, who serves as the Chairman of Asian Heart Institute in Bandra-Kurla Complex, also happens to be a nature and photography enthusiast. Having combined his affinity for both, his collection of over 200 photographs documenting various birds and animals, is on display as an exhibition, Heartbeats: Wildlife, Our Shared Future from today at a gallery in Kala Ghoda.

An Asian Paradise Flycatcher dives into the water at Karnala Bird Sanctuary, in Navi Mumbai

"These [were photographed in] multiple wildlife sanctuaries, including around Mumbai and across India - including in Bandhavgarh, Panna, Tadoba, Satpura, and Kanha Tiger Reserves. Nearly all the photographs are from 2024 and 2025. Some required multiple visits, especially those from Kanha, where I have returned often in the last three years to track behaviour and movement," Dr Panda says. The surgeon-photographer has also traversed the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, showcasing a few gems from the grasslands as well.

Craig the Elephant, from Kenya. Aged 53, he is one of Africa's last remaining ‘super-tuskers'

What strikes us is the sheer diversity of birds showcased, from none other than the Mumbai Metropolitan Region itself, from Greater Flamingos to the Asian Paradise Flycatcher and the Black-Naped Monarch. Dr Panda elaborates, "The city [supports] more than 240 species, including migratory birds." Almost every photograph has a story behind it. Nevertheless, we nudge him to pick favourites. "The one of a tigress with her cubs," he responds. "Clicking it was not easy: It required careful tracking, and a lot of patience. Seeing the tigress lead her cubs and watching them play and grow over multiple visits became personal for me."

The F2 Tigress strolls with her five cubs, at Umred Pauni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra

He has a few memorable stories behind his photography excursions, a notable one involving tigers once again. "The cubs are most prone to violence, with 70 to 90 per cent dying in the first year. But in Umred Gothangaon, a tigress had given birth to five cubs, which was special," he recalls. Long hours were spent driving through forests after full days of work, including during back-to-back surgeries, he adds.

An African Lion in Kenya captured in a fleeting play of light during sunset

"Those moments where exhaustion meets anticipation make the encounters even more meaningful. When the camera finally captures the right frame, all the waiting becomes worthwhile." While Dr Panda may work with human hearts, his exhibition aims to spread knowledge about the heart of nature: Wildlife. Funds from the exhibition will go to the Asian Wildlife Trust and its conservation efforts.

Dr Ramakanta Panda during one of his photography excursions

"Over time, spending long hours in forests has made me realise how delicate and irreplaceable these ecosystems are. Wildlife plays a crucial role in the planet's survival. These species deserve protected natural homes where they are able not just to exist, but to thrive. Through these images, I hope people pause, look closely, and feel connected to these animals enough to care about their future," Dr Panda signs off.

Opens Today, till December 2
Time 11 am to 7 pm
At Jehangir Art Gallery, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort.