Kalyan Varma is a Bangalore based wildlife filmmaker and photographer of repute. As a BBC Earth Explorer, he produces multi-platform stories for the BBC Earth series. He has participated in two landmark Natural World series for the BBC in the last 3 years, besides producing content for their Natural History Unit as a freelancer. He has also executed freelance assignments for Icon films and the National Geographic Channel. His work has appeared in many international publications that include National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, GEO, Lonely Planet, Wildlife Conservation, and Sanctuary.
Over the years Kalyan's outstanding work has earned him accolades and been exhibited as well. He was given the Sanctuary 'Photographer of the year' award in 2005. As an ardent wildlife photographer he has organised solo exhibitions of his pictures in India and the UK and is a part of 'India Nature Watch', an online community that hosts a great number and variety of wildlife photographs in Asia.
Understanding that networking and collaboration is critical to conservation, Kalyan works readily and frequently with wildlife scientists, researchers, policy makers, activists and educators on various studies, surveys, books and film projects. He employs diverse tools - from films on conservation and still pictures to innovative road and slide shows - to spread the message and importance of wildlife conservation. His film,'Hunters Tale', is popular on the Asian circuit and respected for its educational theme and value.
Kalyan sees his work as being both art and service. He believes art is a powerful social catalyst. It stimulates our curiosity for the topical when it is thoughtfully presented and brought into the public domain. Good art holds the potential to trigger engagement and dialogue leading to intervention and change.
Kalyan's equipment reflects the passion, taste and skills of a true master:
Bodies : Nikon D3, Nikon D700 and Nikon D70
Lenses : Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR, 70-200 f/2.8 VR, 105mm f/2.8 macro, 14-24 f/2.8, 1.4 TC, 1.7 TC, 50mm f/1.8
Other gear : Sb-800 and Sb-28 flashes, Lowepro Nature trekker bags, trailmaster camera traps.
You can get to know more of him and his works at kalyanvarma.net