In a narrow lane in Kolkata, West Bengal, Ankit Ghosh paused for a moment to take this photo. Ghosh was among crowds attending Vijaya Dashami, the last day of the Durga Puja, a festival he describes as “cultural potpourri”. He says, “It’s celebrated all across India, but there is no other place to experience it better than West Bengal. As this was the grand finale, the atmosphere was one of joy, pride and celebration.”
The man in the photo is Ghosh’s neighbour. “He’s a fine performer of this trick, which you don’t see very often; it is generally saved up for special festivals and celebrations,” Ghosh says. “The liquid in the air is kerosene [paraffin], which is spat upwards through a lit matchstick to create these cloudy flames.
“It’s actually incredibly risky for him: he has ailments related to his liver and kidneys, so he’s now strictly forbidden from putting the kerosene in his mouth. But, for the love of his art, he decided to do it one last time.”
Ghosh’s picture has been shortlisted in the youth competition of the Sony World Photography awards 2025. “I hope this image will stir feelings of pride and relatability,” he adds. “It’s just a snapshot of how culturally diverse India and its festivals are. Even one lifetime isn’t enough to experience everything.”
• The Sony World Photography awards exhibition is at Somerset House, London, until 5 May; worldphoto.org
