About Manish Swarup
Manish is an accredited photo-journalist, working as Photographer, South East Asia, with Associated Press, New York-based wire agency in New Delhi.
He loves people. Born in April 1968, in Bhopal, central India, Manish started his career as a freelance photographer working with Malayalam Manorama, while still in college. Immediately after graduation, he joined the weekly newspaper, Sunday Mail. His next stint was with the Pioneer for seven years until he took up the offer with the national daily, The Hindustan Times. Since March 2001 he is with Associated Press.
His ten years with AP have taken him on travels far and wide, capturing in a black box, moments in the lives of people, and children.
Manish Swarup has covered through his lens eye, war torn Iraq and travelled to post -war Kosovo, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. He has also been to Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on assignment besides having covered the tsunami devastation from Port Blair. Some of his other work within India includes coverage of militancy in Kashmir, the earthquake in Gujarat, floods in Orissa, the Kumbh Mela, fires and Indian politics. Softer scenes of nature, art, fashion, musicians, children and culture also form part of his portfolio.
Manish’s work over the last two decades has been recognised with various national and international awards.
Exhibitions and Awards
1999 - First Prize for Best photograph on Kargil war from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
2000 - Second Prize from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) for best picture depicting Human Dignity In War.
2000 - Second prize in the National Photo Contest sponsored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for photograph on 50 years of Indian Independence.
2001 - First prize from Press Institute of India for photograph depicting “Fire at Yamuna Pushtaâ€.
2004 - Solo exhibition of photographs at Shridharani Art Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi.
2005 – First Prize, Best Photo Story under Arts and Entertainment category in Mumbai Press Photo Contest organised by the Mumbai Press Club
2005 – Second Prize in People in the News category in Mumbai Press Photo Contest organised by the Mumbai Press Club.
2005 – Honourable mention under Sports category in the Mumbai Press Photo Contest organised by the Mumbai Press Club.
2007 – Invited to China to receive two awards won in China’s International Photo Contest (CHIP). First Prize, Daily Life, Second Prize, Art & Culture and a honourable mention in Sports category.
2008 – Won Bronze in China’s International Photo Contest (CHIP).
Manish has also edited and contributed photographs for books and publications, ‘India Matters’ and ‘Indian Maestros’ besides writing about his experience in conflict zones. He has provided cover page images for several books in Hindi and English.
He loves to travel and meet people. He lives in Delhi.