DOTSO Kathmandu: A 24-Hour Odyssey of Streets, Souls & Stories
- Abhishek Deb
- May 11
- 7 min read
Updated: May 13
The greatest ideas of the world often die at the planning stage, DOTSO sustained! DOTSO continues to flourish till its 4th season and beyond. This editorial isn’t a recap; it’s a reflection. A celebration of streets, souls, and stories that stitched themselves into a 24-hour odyssey.
But for the readers who are hearing about the concept/project for the first time, let me help you through some common queries such as listed below.
Understanding DOTSO: The Concept and Its Impact
DOTSO comes with the purpose of spreading the art of street photography to everyone as an expression and a way to revive and rejuvenate. Starting with Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Kolkata and now Kathmandu, DOTSO focuses on taking this awareness to every corner of the planet, one city at a time.
The symbiotic relationship between the creators and viewers ensured that DOTSO continues to innovate and inspire, demonstrating that great ideas can indeed go beyond the planning stage when they are grounded in the needs and desires of the people they serve. The ongoing success of DOTSO through its fourth season and beyond is a testament to the belief of the photographers' community in the project's ability to cater to the hunger and thirst they have for the genre of street photography.
This time it was Kathmandu!! Since the successful completion of DOTSO Kolkata, Kevin kept going back and forth on nominating cities for the 4th edition. There were challenges in plenty before locking the city selection, but when it happened and Kathmandu emerged as the final one, I was delighted, like many other DOTSO colleagues. 31st March 2025 was declared to be our DOTSO Kathmandu day! (KTM stands for Kathmandu, so don't be lost if I use KTM frequently)
"Day On The Streets Of..." - How DOTSO Works – From Nomination to the Final Shot
Alright alright, let me simplify the what & how of it. DOTSO team led by Kevin Unger selects a nominated city. Street Photographers from across the world, and the chosen city, are handpicked based on their body of work and are formed into a contingent of street photographers. A particular DOTSO date is pre-scheduled, and after an orientation session, the selected participants go out to hunt for the best possible street shots from the city within the time frame of a single calendar day, midnight to midnight. Each participating photographer has to assure at-least 6 hours of photo coverage around at least one of the assigned zones, if not more. Many splendid things come out of this labour, pointing to the genesis of a 24-hour city narrative via images.
DOTSO Explained: Revolutionising Global Street Photography
DOTSO is an acronym for "Day On The Streets Of..."
Reflections of #DOTSOKTM
Kathmandu, with its rich cultural history, stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism, creating an atmosphere where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with contemporary life. As I wandered through the streets of Kathmandu once DOTSO Kathmandu was over, and as my friends and colleagues started flying back home, I was left by myself with my dear camera, I started wondering: Why do I keep coming back to a DOTSO?
Whilst am on my quest to comprehend never-ending love for DOTSO, I have arranged the most awaited slides from the participants. All the participants shared their self-curated shots with me. I have put up the top-slides for each photographer, for you to be drowned in the spirit of Kathmandu life. Let's start with mine!
I have been in Nepal before, but visiting the Himalayan nation exclusively to take street photographs excited me right away. I was sensing the kind of joy that's almost quietly tucked away, perhaps beneath layers of nostalgia or introspection. It's like finding an old photograph that brings a smile to your face, but also carries a wistful longing.
As planned, we started arriving at Kathmandu from different corners of the Globe from 25th March 2025 onwards. Kevin Unger, Dov Oron, David Kornblum, Gershon Gilat, Yaacov "Kobi" Samarano, Daniel Yeshua, Goutam Maiti, Abhishek Deb (Me) arrived early, followed by Raj Sarkar, Manish Khattry & Dipabrata Sur. The Nepali side of the contingent took pride in Bikash Khadge, Udhab KC, Sukarya Lal, Sushila Gurung, Anuj Tandukar and James KC.
Even before the Pre-DOTSO orientation on 30th March 2025 was called in, most of us were already done with a much-needed recce of the surroundings and had gathered a fair sense of the place and its people. The local people were either numb to the camera or simply amicable, and were mostly exchanging a smile. That is a good sign, we told to ourselves!
Kathmandu Uncovered: A Street Photographer’s Perspective on Culture and Chaos
Kathmandu is a city of thrilling contrasts. On the surface, it dazzles as a lively tourist hotspot with bustling areas like Thamel. But venture into its hidden gems, such as the winding alleys around Asan Bazar, and you'll discover a whole new atmosphere. In these places, everyday interactions, fleeting expressions, and spontaneous moments come alive, offering street photographers the perfect playground to capture the true, unvarnished essence of local life. This raw glimpse into daily existence is exactly what street photographers crave—a chance to immortalise the genuine spirit of a community without the polish of staged shots.
Kathmandu’s cultural scene is a dream come true for photographers!
The city is a visual feast, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with the hustle and bustle of modern life. Spiritual rituals, vibrant ceremonies, and everyday commerce create a dynamic backdrop. Whether it's the soft morning light highlighting the intricate details of temple architecture or the dramatic shadows cast by bustling market stalls, Kathmandu offers a continuous banquet of visual contrasts. These conditions push photographers to think outside the box, experiment with composition, angles, and timing, and elevate their craft to new heights.
#DOTSOKTM Key street-photographic zones in Kathmandu
The alleys and by-lanes of Thamel, roads leading to Asan Bazar, Basantapur and the Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka), Bouddha Stupa, KaliMaati Market, Pashupatinath Temple and the adjoining areas, Bagbazar, Durbar Marg would definitely be the highlights of all the places we possibly covered. Every place mentioned here is rich in everything a street photographer might dream about! My personal favourites? Kalimaati market, as it was the most challenging, and Thamel as it always served shots on a platter.
Challenges as a street photographer in Kathmandu
The challenges of Kathmandu—its bustling, sometimes chaotic streets, the dance of light and shadow amid dust and activity, and the unexpected encounters with locals—add an exciting layer of spontaneity and grit to every shot. For street photographers, this unpredictable energy is more than just a subject; it's an invitation to explore the intersection of tradition, modernity, and the human condition. To tackle dust allergies, for those who are prone, use a face mask similar to what you used during the pandemic. You can see a few locals using it already, as Kathmandu has plenty of dust flying around, at least in 2025. For distant travels within the city, plenty of cab & bike booking apps are available, which is really helpful. Most of us also got a local SIM card for calls and data, and the cost is reasonable. All you need is your passport, to pose for a photo, and some local cash. Hotel accommodation varies based on your preference and your wallet power, and the food around is good.
Ensure that you carry an extra battery and camera spares, if possible. I couldn't see anything near my accommodation in Thamel, and I was eventually helped by dear friends Kobi Samarno and Bikash Khadge on different occasions, who came to my aid the next day. But, by then it was too late as I had to shoot 90% of my DOTSO Kathmandu time with a really old heritage Nikon Point & Shoot that my colleague Roma Agrawal was carrying, as a standby.
In this mesmerising dance of chaos and beauty, every frame holds the potential to tell a deeply human story that transcends the common tourist experience. And this interestingly varies between photographers. The evidence is here. Each one of us saw the city differently, although around the same cross-section and/or around the same time stamp!
Enough said! It is time to showcase a catalogue of the grand #DOTSOKTM day, one photographer at a time. I have arranged the photographers, with their own slides, alphabetically. Tap/click on the images to enable full screen view whenever you like. Here they come...
Kathmandu: The Cultural and Urban Playground for Street Photographers
In essence, Kathmandu is a magnet for street photographers and it is much more than just a sightseeing destination; it's a living canvas where the fleeting moments of everyday life merge with the city's rich cultural heritage. This vibrant blend of chaos, tradition, and unexpected beauty makes Kathmandu a perpetual source of inspiration for anyone eager to capture the soul of street life.
This is an odyssey and can go on and on and on... Just like the unending photo libraries we have created for ourselves, similarly I have a saga to unfold about #DOTSOKTM . I am inviting you to feel amazed and overwhelmed by the process further as you watch the Documentary on DOTSO Kathmandu: The Largest Street Photography Project Inside Nepal.
Acknowledgement: Dais World | Zerodot Plus
Just watched the documentary video. Dotso ktm is an inspiring project. Someday I will also pick up a camera and try my hands on street photos. My tech life sucks right now!
This project sounds very exciting. Kudos to all of you!
Congratulations to all on such an incredible work. Looking forward to seeing more of this amazing odyssey.
Awesome! Would love to join sometime in future..
I extend my heartfelt thanks for the incredible experience of being part of DOTSO Kathmandu - what a truly unforgettable 24 hours it was! The city came alive through lenses, laughter, and shared passion, and I feel deeply grateful to have been a part of this journey.
A special thanks to Deb for compiling the official editorial so beautifully. Great job! It’s a powerful reflection of everything we saw, felt, and captured - each word resonated with the spirit of Kathmandu and the soul of street photography. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and reliving those intense, fleeting, yet profound moments.
Thank you once again to Kevin and the entire team and all the fellow participants for the camaraderie, creativity, and…