Chandan Damu Naik Gaonkar.
PANAJI
Gifted photographer Chandan Damu Naik Gaonkar has been invited to receive an Honorary Associateship from the Camera Art Institute (CAI) this December during the CAI and IIPC Annual Day in New Delhi. The award is part of the International Photography Honours.
“This is an international recognition where senior photographers from India and abroad will be honoured. I may not be able to attend because long-distance travel is very painful for me,” says Chandan, who continues to work despite suffering from multiple chronic neurological pain conditions.
Chandan had to stop event photography in 2021 due to nerve injury (CTS). “I cannot carry heavy cameras, so I began taking photos on my mobile in 2018. When I am taking photos, I forget the pain,” he says. His mobile photography has been praised and nominated at national and international levels. His work has been published in leading international magazines, including Frames (Switzerland).
A fine art photographer and visual storyteller from Panaji, Chandan is known internationally for his creative approach. He is especially recognised for mobile photography, earning him the title ‘Master of Vision’. His love for photography began early. His father gifted him his first camera, a Nikon FM10, and his uncle gave him a Yashica. He learnt photography on his own, without formal training. After SSC in 1997, he joined the five-year Bachelor of Fine Arts course at Goa College of Art but had to discontinue due to severe spinal issues.
“I couldn’t answer my final year exams. I tried various jobs—painting signboards, doing illustrations, event decorations, and graphic work. I later completed my Class 12 in 2016 through the National Institute of Open Schooling, scoring the highest in my centre,” he recalls.
Over the years, his health challenges continued. A shoulder dislocation, spinal issues, toe surgeries, and carpal tunnel affected both hands. Today, he cannot lift a camera and relies on a mobile phone. Despite this, he has not given up. He has also pledged his organs, including eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines.
Chandan attends workshops, seminars, and works as a freelance photographer, illustrator, artist and photojournalist. He has participated in state, national and international exhibitions since 2003 and has won many awards. He was twice the winner of the India Press Photo Award (General News category). His exhibitions have been held across India, twice in the UK, a solo exhibition in Turkey, and a group show in Singapore.
He holds several honours, including LIIPC, IIPC Silver, FSAP, ESAP, BEASAP, MPASAP, Hon FPC, Hon FSAP, Hon FFPC, LMFPC, Hon FCPA, Hon EUSPA, Hon MFPC, Hon AICS and Hon FICS. He was thrice a grand finalist at the prestigious HIPA Dubai Awards. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Image Colleague Society International (USA), which has also awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chandan has also served as a judge in painting and photography competitions, including those organised by the Goa government.
A firm nationalist, Chandan returned multiple honours awarded to him by Fotogram Photo Club, Turkey. “Turkey supported Pakistan and acts against India’s interests. So I returned my honorary membership and fellowship titles. For me, the dignity and self-respect of the country come first. I may lose awards, but I will not stand with those who support terrorism,” he says firmly.
