Henk Braam went to India for the first time twenty years ago. Initially he understood little of this land, where cows, trees, mountains and even rats are venerated. Gradually his incomprehension became fascination. In India nature is seen as a religious miracle. For instance, for Hindus the Ganges is equal to God; every drop is holy and full of enchantment. At dawn millions of people go to bathe in the river at the same time in order to honor the alliance between the water and the sun, for them the guarantee of the rebirth of life on earth. This ancient ritual takes place in the midst of modern harbors, factories and crematoria. Henk Braam photographed life on and around the Ganges and other HOLY RIVERS OF INDIA (2000-2006), places that preeminently illustrate the many contradictions of the country.

Henk Braam (The Netherlands, b. 1960) is the son of aid workers in Zambia. His passion for travel to exotic lands - with India as his favorite - determines his photographic agenda. Among other clients, Braam works for Médecins sans Frontières and Amnesty International.