In late 2024, photographer Kavya Krishna dedicated three months to exploring and documenting Indian American communities across the United States for her project, “A Town in America.”
Krishna’s journey took her through states where she had personal connections, allowing her to stay with friends, relatives, and new acquaintances she met along the way. Each connection led her to the next, shaping her project into a rich tapestry of shared experiences and regional nuances.
The essence of her work lies in storytelling, finding a narrative that is deeply rooted in landscape, trust, and a sense of connection.
“I hope to continue building on this work as the community itself continues to evolve,” she said.
Initially sparked by her experiences in her hometown in suburban central Massachusetts, Krishna began photographing her own family and the community she grew up in.
She became intrigued by how Indian Americans navigate assimilation, cultural preservation, and belonging in predominantly suburban spaces shaped by historical factors such as white flight and exclusion.
Her project challenges monolithic representations of the community, aiming instead to highlight the depth, complexity, and pride of Indian American life across the country.
Throughout her three-month journey, Krishna divided her time between vibrant gatherings and quieter, more intimate moments.
The first half of her trip was bustling with large-scale Hindu festivals and events tied to the U.S. elections, where individuals came together to celebrate, organize, and connect.
The second half allowed her to seek out personal stories, cultivating a mix of energy and reflection that influenced the overall presentation of her project.
Among the numerous photographs, one stands out as a personal favorite for Krishna: an image of Kaira Uttam, a young player on the DreamCricket Dragons.
Kaira is captured holding her bat high after scoring the winning run during a match, an achievement that filled the team with joy and celebration.
Krishna first encountered the team at DreamCricket Academy in New Jersey and found herself drawn into their world of sports and adolescence.
As she followed the team to a tournament in Virginia, the vibrant atmosphere and Kaira’s victorious moment encapsulated the spirit of youth and camaraderie, making it a highlight of her project.
Reflecting on her experiences photographing Indian American communities, Krishna acknowledged the extensive nuances within the culture.
While she was already familiar with her own background, her travels enriched her understanding of subtle variations and regional customs across the country.
The willingness of people to open their homes and share their stories surprised her, reinforcing the themes of trust and generosity that permeated her work.
Krishna discovered a common thread amidst diverse landscapes and personal backgrounds: the profound human desire to belong, to hold on to meaning, and to find spaces of understanding.
Looking ahead, Krishna envisions the continuing evolution of her project.
She hopes to deepen her relationships with those she has met and to uncover new subjects inspired by the dynamically changing Indian American community.
Since the project’s inception in her hometown in 2020, she has witnessed incredible transformation, expanding her initial vision into a much broader narrative.
“What started as something local has expanded into something much bigger, and I’m excited to see how the work can grow alongside the community itself,” she remarked.
As “A Town in America” continues to develop, it not only serves as an artistic endeavor but also a heartfelt documentation of the Indian American experience, celebrating both the unique stories and the shared hunger for connection.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2025/05/27/nx-s1-5393851/indian-american-communities-across-the-united-states
