Young Photographer Anwar from Thrissur, Kerela Wins AED 100,000 Prize for Stunning Taj Mahal Image Thrissur-based photographer Anwar Sadath T.A. has won the prestigious 'Spaces of Light Photography' award in the 'Mosques & Masjid' category, receiving a cash prize of AED 100,000 (approximately INR 23 lakh).
Anwar T.A., a photographer from Thrissur, has won the prestigious ‘Spaces of Light Photography’ competition in the UAE, securing the first prize in the ‘Mosques and Masjids’ category. His award-winning photograph, titled ‘Tranquility of the Taj Mahal’, captured the grandeur of India’s iconic monument in a unique frame. The prize, which includes a plaque and AED 100,000 (approximately ₹23 lakh), was presented by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, UAE’s Minister of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Board of Trustees.
A Global Contest with Fierce Competition
The ‘Spaces of Light Photography’ competition, organized by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi, is one of the most prestigious international photography contests. The 2024 edition, based on the theme "Peace," saw participation from over 2,000 photographers from 60 countries, submitting a total of 3,070 photographs. The ‘Mosques and Masjids’ category is the competition’s most significant section, with Anwar emerging victorious over talented photographers from across the globe. Wael Ansi from Egypt secured second place in the same category.
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The Winning Click: A Spiritual Vision of the Taj Mahal
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Anwar captured the award-winning shot on Eid day in 2024 while visiting the Taj Mahal specifically for photography. His unique perspective featured the Taj Mahal framed through the arch of a mosque, with worshippers sitting on a prayer rug in the foreground. The moment, infused with spirituality and tranquility, was intuitively captured, aligning perfectly with the competition’s theme.
A Long-Awaited Victory
This was not Anvar’s first attempt at the ‘Spaces of Light Photography’ competition. He had participated earlier in 2019, when the theme was ‘Tolerance’, and even received an invitation to the award ceremony. However, he did not secure a win at that time. Determined to succeed, he made a strong comeback in 2024, submitting three photographs, including an image of the Kozhikode Markaz Knowledge City Mosque and another Taj Mahal shot.
His journey to victory was filled with surprises. While traveling to photograph the Kumbh Mela, he received a WhatsApp notification informing him that his photograph had made it to the top 10 finalists. Keeping his excitement to himself, he attended the award ceremony in the UAE with his father, where he was stunned to be announced as the first-place winner.
Photography as a Passion and Profession
Anwar, who is active on Instagram under the handle ‘anwar_ta_fotography’, has been passionate about photography for years. Though he initially loved drawing, his focus shifted entirely to photography as he grew older. His Instagram feed showcases his distinctive photographic style, and he remains committed to letting his work speak for itself—choosing to keep his face masked in his posts.
With the prestigious ‘Spaces of Light Photography’ award now in his hands, Awvar is more determined than ever to pursue photography as a lifelong career. His triumph in a highly competitive global contest proves that a well-captured image can indeed transcend boundaries and cultures, making a lasting impact on the world.
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