Taken in Varanasi, India, this photograph captures a man skillfully preparing paan, a betel leaf delicacy deeply rooted in Indian culture. Filled with ingredients like supari (areca nut), slaked lime, and spices, paan serves as a digestive and palate cleanser, enjoyed after meals. Beyond its culinary role, it symbolizes hospitality and tradition, often featured in rituals, weddings, and festivals as a gesture of respect and welcome.
Thibault Gerbaldi is a self-taught Leica photographer and passionate traveler, known for authentic stories from the world’s most remote regions. His work spans landscapes from Greenland to India, blending documentary, travel, and portrait. He has self-published seven books and earned recognition: 1st at Siena Awards 2025, International Photo Awards 2025, and TPOTY Rising Talent (2024). Exhibited globally and featured in LFI and LENS Magazine. As a board member of The Forgotten International, he supports humanitarian projects.