Updated July 2026. Travel Photo Jaipur has not been repeated since its original 2016 run, but Jawahar Kala Kendra continues to host photography exhibitions regularly including the Nazar Photo Exhibition, the JPC Annual Photo Exhibition, and Jaipur Art Week. Scroll to the end for a current list of what’s on at JKK

This post is part of a series on Travel Photo Jaipur, a photography festival held across Jaipur in 2016, see Travel Photo Jaipur Part II and Travel Photo Jaipur Part I for the earlier venues. This final part covers the festival’s sessions at Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK), including a talk on Jaipur’s first great royal photographer, Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II. Travel Photo Jaipur was a multi-day and multi-event festival. It involved large canvas-size prints put on display at many historical and heritage locations across Jaipur city like Museum of Legacies, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum. Here are pictures from this festival from other venues.

The Festival – Travel Photo Jaipur at Jawahar Kala Kendra

Apart from the above, major events including discussions, talk shows, etc were held at Jawahar Kala Kendra also called JKK, Jaipur’s landmark venue for arts and creatives. There were similar large-size canvas prints featuring another famous travel photographer at JKK, as well. Here are a few pictures from Jawahar Kala Kendra. Read the complete guide on Jawahar Kala Kendra in this blog- The artist’s station

The venue saw many interactive sessions from famous travel photographers. Here is a picture of the venue, Jawahar Kala Kendra Auditorium, Jaipur.

Giles Tillotson on Sawai Ram Singh II’s Photography

One of the very interesting sessions at Travel Photo Jaipur was the one with Mr. Giles Tillotson,  Consultant Director at the Jaipur City Palace Museum. The topic of the session was “Photography by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II“, considered one of the earliest proponents of photography in Jaipur. Photography was one of the major hobbies of Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II (1835-1880 AD). A large number of pictures found in his archives go on to prove his love for photography. Sawai Ram Singh II is linked strongly with the early history of photography in India.

In the above picture, Giles Tillotson is in discussion with the moderator on photography by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II at Travel Photo Jaipur. Giles Tillotson confirmed that Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II got many of his portraits clicked, proving that portrait photography was of special interest. One of the pictures of Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II. If you want to know more about Sawai Ram Singh II’s photography and enjoy some of the photos he took in the 19th century, check out this detailed blog – Photography By Sawai Ram Singh II

During these sessions, travel photography books were also on display; curated & hosted by the BIND collective. Visitors were free to browse through the books on display. A list of books on display was also shared. 

Quick Facts About Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II & Photography

Where Sawai Ram Singh II ‘s work is discussed?

His archive was the subject of a dedicated talk by historian Giles Tillotson at Travel Photo Jaipur (2016), and is covered in more depth in this dedicated post on his photography

Who was Sawai Ram Singh II ?

Maharajah of Jaipur, reigned 1835–1880 AD

Why Sawai Ram Singh II matters to photography history?

One of the earliest Indian royals to take up photography as a serious personal pursuit, decades before it became common practice among Indian nobility

What Sawai Ram Singh II photographed?

Primarily portraits; he had a strong personal interest in portrait photography, both of himself and others in his court. You can check out detailed blog on Sawai Ram Singh II with pictures. The Royal Photographer – Sawai Ram Singh II Photography Here is a picture clicked by Sawai Ram Singh II.

What made Travel Photo Jaipur different

Unlike some of Jaipur’s larger, more lifestyle-driven festivals such as the Jaipur Literature Festival or the Jaipur Theatre Festival, Travel Photo Jaipur stayed tightly focused on photography itself, drawing an audience of genuinely engaged photographers and enthusiasts rather than a broader crowd. That focus made it one of the more substantive photography-specific events Jaipur had seen at the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Sawai Ram Singh II really one of India’s first photographers?

He’s widely regarded as one of the earliest Indian royals to take up photography seriously as a personal practice. There is a large surviving archive of portrait photography from his reign (1835–1880 AD).

Where can one see Sawai Ram Singh II Photos?

You check out pictures of Sawai Ram Singh II in this detailed blog post – Jaipur’s Photographer King. If you want see some of his pictures on display, Jaipur City Palace has a dedicated gallery.

Is Travel Photo Jaipur still held every year?

No, as of 2026, Travel Photo Jaipur has not been repeated since its original 2016 edition. It appears to have been a one-time or short-lived festival rather than an annual fixture.

Where can I see photography exhibitions in Jaipur today?

Jawahar Kala Kendra remains the city’s primary venue for recurring photography exhibitions, along with many art and theatre events like Jaipur Art Summit and shows organized by groups like the Jaipur Photographers’ Club. See the current events list below.

Where is Jawahar Kala Kendra located?

JKK is located at Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, near Bajaj Nagar, Jaipur, opposite Commerce College close to Smriti Van Read our full guide to Jawahar Kala Kendra for timings, entry fees, and architecture.

Photography exhibitions at JKK today

If you’re in Jaipur and looking for photography events now rather than in 2016, JKK regularly hosts exhibitions and talks, recent examples include the Nazar Photo Exhibition, the Jaipur Photographers’ Club’s Annual Photo Exhibition, Conserving Heritage Photo Exhibition, and programming during Jaipur Art Summit. Check Jawahar Kala Kendra guide for the detailed information, or follow JKK on Instagram for real-time updates from Jaipur’s arts scene.

Related reading:

Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur

Travel Photo Jaipur Part I

Travel Photo Jaipur Part II: Travel Postcards Exhibition

Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur: The Artist’s Station (Detailed Guide)

Photography By Sawai Ram Singh II

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