/ 2026 / Portraiture / Culture

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Chan Kim, Korea, Republic of
• Date of Photograph
  11-03-2026
• Instagram
  @chomooo8

Every year at Nandgaon's Nandababa Temple, Uttar Pradesh, India, a centuries-old tradition unfolds before the arrival of Holi. Men of the community don sarees, jewelry, and veils, transforming themselves into living embodiments of Radha — the divine consort of Krishna — in an act of sacred devotion. Known locally as Huriyare, these men are not performers but devotees, surrendering their identity to the goddess through color, costume, and celebration. This series captures their faces candidly — proud, joyful, and deeply human — behind layers of powder and faith.

Chan Kim founded and ran a music company for over two decades before turning his focus back to photography, a lifelong interest. His work explores travel, people, and nature, seeking fleeting moments along the way.

Awards Silver Prize, 1839 Awards / Travel — 2025
Bronze Prize, Paris Photo Prize / Street Photography — 2025
Bronze Prize, Paris Photo Prize / Travel — 2025
Second Prize, The Independent Photographer / Black & White — 2024