Stray model

Photographer Ranjit Oberoi was shooting street life all over India when a curious figure kept leaping into his frame wherever he went.

Photographer Ranjit Oberoi trains his lens on street dogs

Photographer Ranjit Oberoi was shooting street life all over India when a curious figure kept leaping into his frame wherever he went. It was the street dog,the quintessential inhabitant of every Indian address,from the holy shores of Varanasi to the beaches of Diu,from urban doorsteps to tribal landscapes. The moment this dawned on me,I made the street dogs of India my photo models. My quest has always been to shoot a beautiful frame and now I found that street dogs added character and force to my pictures, says the 46-year-old at his exhibition at the India International Centre (Annexe).

Oberoi has defiantly steered away from using the stray as a symbol of poverty,pity or pathos. Instead,theres humour: a puppy at India Gate watching the rush of vendors and visitors and suspense: a full-sized mutt sizing up a kitten that saunters past it,yawning. And there was perfect compositionthe contoured forms of a dog and a pilgrim at sunrise on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. The dogs in my photographs are aesthetic figures, explains Oberoi as he points to two images,of Mumbai and Diu,in which a single dog sits on the beach. The sea in the background is an endless expanse and the beach is beautifully rippled,but it is the figure of the dog that completes the effect.

The project has occupied Oberoi for the past nine years,a fact that surprises him the most because ever since I was bitten by a dog as a youngster,Ive maintained a respectful distance from them, he says. At the same time,I dont condone people who throw stones at strays or run them over. Street dogs are present in 90 per cent of the countrys inhabited regions. If man starts living in a place,a dog is sure to follow, he says.

Oberoi learned the finer points of photography at Triveni Kala Sangam after graduating in Buddhist Studies and Hindi literature from Delhi University. A freelancer,who shoots for publishing houses,he has two books lined up for release later this year.

Oberois collection on street dogs,of which only a small part is being displayed,stretches across Hampi in Karnataka,Gangasagar in West Bengal,McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh,Mumbai,Rajasthan and Delhi among others. Unlike humans,dogs are mercurial models. My best pictures are the ones that never got taken because the dog sprang at me before I could press the shutter, he says. Reason enough for him to keep shooting canines.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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