This book, a two-volume set, contains thought-provoking essays on sustainable development as well as award-winning photographs from Photosphere 2016, which culminated in an outdoor exhibition titled ‘Panchtattvas: The Road Ahead’. The exhibition, held at New Delhi’s India Habitat Centre, aimed to create not only a new language of photography but to sensitise the public on significant stories about sustainability through photo-installations that were freed from the white cube of the gallery space. The four awardees, Harikrishna Katragadda, KR Sunil, Monica Tiwari and Shraddha Borawake, were mentored by Aditya Arya, Bandeep Singh, Parthiv Shah and Prabir Purkayastha.

Five distinct and distinguished experts—Dr Ajay Mathur, Amba Jamir, Madhav Gadgil, Mike Pandey, Sunita Narain—from across the sphere of sustainable development give voice to the concerns that are gripping the field. These are fresh narratives preserved as a document for future generations.

The intent of these two volumes is clear: to learn from these stories and to see the world as it once was; to create modern narratives keeping the essence of the ancient panchtattvas alive in the minds of the people.

Content - THE BEGINNING, THROUGH A SUSTAINABLE LOOKING GLASS, LAND TENURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, THE ESSAYISTS, INDEX, A COMMUNITY OF BEINGS, THE ORIGIN OF LIFE ... OUR LIVING PLANET, PLANETARY BOUNDARIES AND OUR COMMON FUTURE, THE ESSAYISTS, THE AWARDEES, THE MENTORS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, INDEX