Two Malayali photographers win high honours at Siena Worldwide Picture Awards

After finishing his research at MSM College, Kayamkulam, Tittu moved to the UAE in 2009 for work. “I continued playing kabaddi in Dubai, but an on-field injury left me with damaged knee ligaments, which forced me to quit the sport. Being bedridden for weeks was tough, but it turned out to be a blessing, as I discovered photography,” he stated.

Tittu later moved to Ireland in 2024 along with his spouse, Rakhi Elizabeth, and continued pursuing his ardour. “I met Shyjith in Dubai, and we often travelled together across deserts and sand dunes, photographing ordinary people and their stories. Many of our expeditions brought us international recognition,” he added.

After leaving Dubai two years in the past, Tittu started travelling extensively throughout India, spending one to 2 months in every location to doc native cultures and traditions. “I have photographed major festivals like Holi, Pushkar Fair, Kulasai Dasara, Vitthal Yatra, and Haldi, and explored regions such as Jodhpur and Kashmir. One of those journeys gifted me the Siena award,” he informed TNIE by telephone from Dublin.

Shyjith, 45, labored as an artwork director with a number of promoting companies in Kerala earlier than transferring to Dubai a decade in the past. His ardour for images grew after buying his first digicam there. “Photography became more than a hobby, it became a part of my life,” stated Shyjith, who lives in Dubai along with his spouse Subhasree and kids.