VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 1

Content
Abstract 5 2. Define 60
Exegesis
Introduction 6
3. Ideation 62
Objective/ brief 7
4. Prototype 64
Visual Ethnography 8
5. Test 68
Design Process 12

1. Empathise 14 Final presenation

References 95
Primary Research

Cultural Probe
Secondary Research

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 Research Subject

Abstract

Ethnographic research is a very crucial study for every designer on their

way through design thinking process. I think ethnographic research con-
stitutes to rather very strong empathy stage to be fail proof. Generally most
of the design thinking process in their initial stage that is empathise, due to
time restrictions and ease of doing people end up with just doing surveys.
But when you add ethnographic research in detail that add to greater em-
pathic approach towards your user, and even the user feels connected t you
and that creates a very strong , relationship between user and the designer
developing a co-design approach in the very stage of the design thinking
process itself. In this documents and study we are not developing any prod-
uct but rather we will just be focusing on the first sage of a design thinking
that is empathy but including ethnographic study as a major part to help
us to empathise with the subject that we have here. And will try to design a
visual representation of whatever we understood from the research.

Let’s fill that grey square by designing something

visually for our research subject by studying him
Siddharth Jha
20 years old
3rd year ,Bf.tech Student
Banuchapar, Bihar

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 Introduction Objective/ Brief
This study discusses the use of visual ethnography using different kind of
methods and tools by a studying a person Known to me.
Due to pandemic and unprecedented times the field works part of ethno-
graphic study cant be done, and methods like photography and videography To create a visual presentation of the memories and life of someone you
are surely a barrier. But as a design student overcoming problems through know or want to know more about. Write a 300 word exegesis explaining
Design thinking is our best weapon at hand. I have talked in detail about the your process the presentation that you have created and what you learned
various methods and my research and study regarding this. in the process.
Attempting this project in this pandemic was a whole new level of experi-
ence to understand a remote ethnography with limited methods and tool.
But all the methods and tools at hand were used to its maximum and also
considering the comfort of study subject.

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 Visual Ethnography

Visual Ethnography is the study of people culture or community and document-

ing it with the help of various visual aids. It is designed to explore cultural phe-
nomenon and practises where the researcher observes society from the point of
view of the subject of the study. The resulting field case study report reflects the
knowledge lifestyle and of meaning of the lives of a cultural groupUnderstanding
user and empathising with them is one of the first task in a design thinking pro-
cess and for the designer himself. Designers work with people and work for them
responding to their needs. Sometimes when the population or user need specific
needs and as a designer it is required to understand the proper needs and cultural
context of the user/community/customer. Ethnography method is one such way
which helps in understanding the context. Though the finding and final report
differs depending on the researcher.
Source: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/bsa2009-090501030356-phpapp01/95/participa-
tory-visual-ethnography-19-728.jpg?cb=1241147166
In-short visual ethnography brings-theory and practise of visual approaches to
learning and knowing about the people or community and communicate these
to others.

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 A Digital portrait of the subject to be studied

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 Design process Collaborative Approach
Since the subject was known to me , so after selecting the subject to study i decided to approach this
project with a collaborative effort in the first stage of the process.

Identifying subject
1. EMPATHISE Interview (Primary Research)
Cultural probes

Secondary Research
Iteration/ Fact-Checking
2. DEFINE Defining facts more elaborately
Analysis( Exegesis -300 words)

Ideating Visual Elements

3. IDEATE Researching/ iterating / visual clues and elements
Creating visual presentation

Showing rough / Incomplete structure of the presentation to the subject

4. PROTOTYPE for correction and correct interpretation.

Source: https://methods.sagepub.com/images/virtual/collaborative-visual-ethnography-prac-
tical-issues-cross-cultural-research/METC533924_2.jpg
Final testing and showing to the subject
5. TEST

12 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 13

 1 Empathise
Primary Research
Since this interview was not focused on creating any product for the user but more of getting
to know him . So the structure of the interview was not in order because i wanted to be as
Interview with the Subject
Getting live inputs regarding their life and
culture and community is the first touch-
casual as possible with the subject, so that he could give even small details about his life. point to their life. Due to pandemic since
physical interview cannot happen, it was done
In the beginning I informed the subject regarding the purpose of the interview and taken his through a whatsapp video chat. By asking the
consent for the video and audio record. subject for his comfortable time and place, af-
ter setting up a date i conducted an interview .
Also told him how his data will be used to create visual presentation. This was important
because when the subject would know that the data will be used for visual presentation he The interview was a SEMI-STRCUTURED
would explain more visually the details while answering and discussing in the interview. interview.

In the end i asked the subject if he would want to add anything more.

Before the interview I ran a pilot study regarding how visual ethnographic interview are
done, and what should the researcher should focus while doing an ethnographic user inter-
view.

I used Qualitative Researcher Steinar Kvale and Svend Brinkmann’s nine different types of
questions as inspiration for how to ask questions during interviews.

1. Introductory Questions 6. Indirect Questions

2. Follow-up Questions
3. Probing questions
4. Specifying Questions
5. Direct Questions
7.Strcuting questions
8. Silence
9. Interpreting Questions
Notes from the interview conducted

14 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 15

 Cultural Probe-1
Cultural Probe
Result:1
Cultural probes — often also called diary study — are a research method that helps to under-
stand the everyday challenges, goals and needs of users at the beginning of a design process.
Participants document and reflect on certain aspects of their lives over a longer period of
time. Since this method allows them to capture their real behaviour themselves, you gain
largely unbiased insights from their perspective, which makes cultural probes particularly
valuable for an early inspiration phase.

How did I use cultural probes?

For this project i created 3 simple cultural probes , that can be completed easily without
much effort because i had considered the current hard times and created the probe keeping
the same in mind.

1. The first was quick 5 Min timed doodle in various boxes that i told him to make earlier
and the subject had to fill in the boxed with short doodles of his life and interests. This probe
would give me which aspects has to be prioritised during the final presentation, so that i can
capture the subject’s interest correctly.

2. The second was to record his day activities and send it to me through whatsapp. Initially
i wanted to write a journal about one day because he writes a lot. But being busy in college
works the subject was not able to complete that and thus gave me the daily routine and wrote
a short note regarding it. This was communicated through whatsapp chat.

3. I wanted capture an upcoming public, cultural or family occasions at his place. I asked him
and during that period only Christmas was big event that was going to happen, so i took that
opportunity and asked him to get some pictures of that event.

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 Cultural Probe-2 Cultural Probe-3
Result:3
Result:2
Capturing a live festival event at his place. In this period Christmas being not their
regional festival , but it helped to understand the diversity and provided with the
brief idea of how people come along to celebrate festivals.

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 Cultural Probe-3 Cultural Probe-3

Images clicked by the subject During a Christhmas event at his area Images describing surrounding area Clicked by the subject

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Secondary Research
Icon to identify images clicked by the subject
From this section we will be explore and interpret whatever information we got from the inter-
view and try to learn more about the details and events mentioned by the subject.
More about Bettiah
Due to good and functioning connectivity, you can reach this place from any part across India. Bettiah,
the town of this railway station, serves as a hub of agricultural trading for the entire region. However,
the place also trades brass, metal ware and leather goods. Popular Bettiah attractions are- Lauria Nan-
dangarh, Motihari, Kesariya, Buddha Stupa and Kushinagar which are in close proximity of the railway
station. Bettiah Fair is one of the most important events and festivals of Bettiah. This fifteen days long
event also witnesses a must watch cattle fair. Duration from October to March is considered to be the
best time to visit Bettiah.

Banuchapar , Bettiah in the west chap- Sinha and Brajkishore Prasad.

amran (Paschim Champaran)district of
Bihar is the place where my subject is
from. The district is known for its fluid
border with Nepal. Siddharth says one
could see the mountain roof and clouds
sometime when the visibility is clear
from the rooftop of his house in the
morning time, but its rare now.
It is said that Bettiah got its name from
Baint (Cane) plants commonly found
in this district. The name Champaran is
a degenerate form of Champaka aran-
ya, a name which dates back to the time
when the district was a tract of the forest
of Champa (Magnolia) trees & was the
abode of solitary asectics.

The city is the birthplace of poet Gopal
Singh Nepali. Mahatma Gandhi started
the Champaran Satyagraha movement
from here in 1917 along with national-
ists Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan
The history of the district during the late
medieval period and the British peri-
od is linked with the history of Bettiah
Raj. Bettiah Raj has been mentioned as a
great estate.

View from the rooftop clicked by the subject) the clouds are emerging
from the Himalayas)

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 The rise of nationalism in Bettiah in
early 20th century is intimately con-
nected with indigo plantation. Raj
Kumar Shukla, an ordinary raiyat and
indigo cultivator of Champaran met
Gandhijii and explained the plight of
the cultivators and the atrocities of
the planters on the raiyats. Gandhi-
jii came to Champaran in 1917 and
listened to the problems of the culti-
vators and the started the movement
known as Champaran Satyagraha
Movement to end the oppression of
View of Himalayan Roof from Valmiki Tiger reserve
https://www.explorebihar.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Himalayas-Valmiki-Tiger-Reserve.
jpg?d24a69
24 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY
the British indigo planters. By 1918
the long standing misery of the in-
digo cultivators came to an end and
Champaran became the hub of In-
dian National Freedom Movement
and the launch pad of Gandhi’s Sat-
yagraha. From this we understand
that how the subject is inclined to-
wards Gandhian ideologies and phi-
losophies. Lands touched by great
personalities always have its effect Bettiah raj Palace
Gandhi ji in Champaran, Champaran Satygraha, Indigo culitvation
on the community there Image Credits: https://bheadlines.s3.ap-south-1.
amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/03/406097_11598736
Image Credits: https://www.jagranimages.com/images/champaran-pic_2017_4_12_123350.jpg 1854267_1978590323_n.jpg
Gopal Singh Nepali, Indian Poet
Sagar Pokhra, Shiv Mandir
Image Credits: https://www.hindwi.org/Images/Sha-
yar/60e8be64-2324-480d-9a41-47645d493073.png
VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 25

Lauria Nandangarh - Buddhist Stupa
One of the main tourist attractions of Lauriya Nandangarh is a large stupa, which is believed to
be one of the biggest stupas in India. The massive stupa is 24m in height and has a circumference
of almost 457 m.
Lauria Nandangarh is a City/town about 28 km from Bettiah and 14 km from Narkatiaganj(-
shikarpur) in West Champaran district of Bihar state in northern India. It is situated near the
banks of the Burhi Gandak River. The village draws its name from a pillar (laur) of Ashoka
standing there and the stupa mound Nandangarh (variant Nanadgarh) about 2 km south-west
of the pillar. Lauriya Nandangarh is a historical site located in West Champaran district of
Bihar. Remains of Mauryan period have been found here.

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Family, background and culture
Siddharth comes from a maithil brahmin family background.
Maithils, also known as Maithili people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group from the Indian
subcontinent, who speak the Maithili language as their native language. They inhabit the Mithila re-
gion,which comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divi-
sions[a] of India and some adjoining districts of Nepal.The Maithil homeland forms an important part
of Hindu mythology as it is said to be the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Ram.

They he ans his family dont use maihtili language , but he understands its essence and understanding is
there. He feels that maithil langugae has some sweeness to it when spoken and its well strcutred lan-
guage. It reflects a sense of spirauality and devotional qualities.

Credits: https://indusscrolls.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ae.gif

This region is culutrally rich and in artforms

to literature. Lot of hindu cultural signifance
can be traced to this place.

Credits: http://www.dsource.in/sites/default/files/
resource/rangoli/types-rangolis/aripan/images/05.
jpg

Photo clicked by the subject where ARIPAN ritual is being practised. His sister
and borther can be seen practising this together
People belonging to mithila often practise the ritual of ARIPAN. Its a ritual of offering samsakaras. Its
a geometrical diagram done on floors by mud, cow dung, or fingers dipped in rice paste.
The name Maithili is derived from the word Mithila, an ancient kingdom of which
King Janaka was the ruler (see Ramayana). Maithili is also one of the names of
Sita, the wife of King Rama and daughter of King Janaka. Scholars in Mithila used
Sanskrit for their literary work and Maithili was the language of the common folk
(Abahatta).

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 The famous Madhubani Paintings clicked by the subject in a Temple

A 2500-year-old folk art, the

history of Madhubani paintings
is said to date back to the time
of Ramayana, when king Jana-
ka asked an artist to capture his
daughter Sita’s wedding to prince
Rama. These paintings were usu-
ally created by women on walls
and floors of homes during
festivals, ceremonies or special
occasions. Having originated in
the Mithila region in Bihar, this
form of painting, also known as
Mithila art, has been in practice
in areas around Bihar and Nepal.
lotus. Geometric patterns can also be seen in
these pictures that often symbolize love, valour,
devotion, fertility and prosperity. This ancient
art form has also been known to depict scenes
of wedding rituals, religious rituals and different
cultural events such as festivals, from mythology
like Ramayana.
These paintings are iconic to Bihar, and one
could find inspirations from these paintings in
mostly every visual representation of Bihar.

Madhubani paintings are char-

actersied by figures that have
prominently outlined, bulging
fish-like eyes and pointed noses.
The themes of these paintings
usually include natural elements
like fish, parrot, elephant, turtle,
sun, moon, bamboo tree and

30 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 31

 Rajeshwari mata temple
After talking regarding the paintings and the place where it was clicked I got to know more about the
temple from google map images, where other users have shared their images. This images helped as a
great insight to understand the ethnography more.

Credits: Shyamli Singh, source: Googlemaps,

Rajeshwari mata temple, Bihar,2017

Credits: New Generation Technology, source:

Credits: Rakesh Jha , source: Googlemaps, Rajeshwari Googlemaps, Rajeshwari mata temple, Bi-
Credits: Vishal Kumar, source: Googlemaps, mata temple, Bihar,2018 Credits: Curious one, source: Googlemaps, Rajeshwari har,2018
Rajeshwari mata temple, Bihar, 2018 mata temple, Bihar,2019

32 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 33

 A daily street outside the temple premises

Credits: Ashwani Kumar source: Googlemaps, Rajeshwari mata temple, Bihar,2018

Credits: Chandan Kumar Jha ,source: Googlemaps, Rajeshwari mata temple, Bihar,2017

Credits: Sushant Talks, source: Googlemaps, Rajeshwari mata temple, Bihar,2017

34 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 35
 Festivals, and Cultural Events
When asked about the occasions and festivals,
Siddharth has to say a lot about it. Because
festivals and cultural occasions has played a
very crucial role in his life or in that case to
every people living in his area. Festivals like
holi, saraswati pooja, Durga pooja and chatth
pooja are some of the most significant fes-
tivals they celebrate. Festivals like saraswati
pooja which is like the festival for students
are completely handled and conducted com-
pletely by students.
He remembers how he handled people
and learned lot of skills on the way. During
sarswati pooja collecting funds(Chandas),
controlling crowd and arranging for food are
some jobs that taught him lot of necessary life
skills.
He also mentions since people there prefer lot
of local product and promote them. Locally
made sweets and products are well bought and
do good businesses there during festive times.
Especially sweets, in various colours and tastes
are main attractions in these times since peo-
ple prefer locally made sweets. Sweets like Chatth pooja Celebrations Maha Shivratri
Dahi Chuda, Khaja , laddoo and rasgulla are
some of his favourites.

Chatth pooja ritual Chatth pooja ladies offering pray

36 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 37

38 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 39
 Area, Locality and Surroundings

Rooftop View of locality and neighbourhood Places near his home

Image clicked by the subject to show the locality and area

40 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 41
42 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 43
44 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 45
 Shradhh( samskaras) occasion where ancestors are worshipped. Rasgullas are important to it
School built as a tribute to his Grandfather who was martyred during India’s freedom struggle

Siddharth comes from a

family of Freedom Fighter.
His Grandfather was mar-
tyred during India’s freedom
struggle. He feels this might
be the strong reason why he
has patriotic values and he
feels proud about it.

A school has been named

after his late grandfather in
Mentions in the records about his grandfather who was freedomfighter
his memory.

46 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 47

 Some Famous sweets

Khaja Dahi-Chura

Balushahi
Chandrakala
Credits:https://qphs.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-dd79a88c4a4d52c2b-
29d1a916a7acec0

Sweets and other offerings made during a ritual

Laai
Anarsa Credits: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/
main-qimg-beff44c7d49f6d3dde9331105cff673f-c

48 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 49

 Early Childhood , Interests and Literature

Since my subject is a literature enthusiast

books he was interested in gathering
person I asked him about how is interest
useful knowledge. “Books were like his
in literature started. He said it was a grad-
close friends in his childhood”.
ual process. He used to read a lot of Hin-
When asked about the kind of books
di newspapers which came to his house.
he preferred, it was mainly books and
Even though he cant read the whole
magazine like- Tell me why, Reader’s
newspaper because at that time his father
Digest, Kalyan, patrika and science to-
also reads, so they compromised on that
day. In broad he loved Religious books,
and decided that he will surely get the ed-
science and general knowledge books
itorial at-least. Other than this his people
and magazines.
and surrounding also influenced him to
discuss literature.
Even in his school he participated in lot
of literary activities and events . From
He feels that lack of modern electronics
debate to speech contests. He even par-
like TV, Computer and Radio at his home
ticipated in regional level literary events
at that time helped him to read more and
and was appreciated by the judges and
more books to get and understand new
ppl out there. That gave a huge morale
things in world. His uncle had a library
boost
where he used to spend enough time to
gather as much knowledge as possible. He
tells that when others in his age where
watching ben10, and read harry potter Some notable mentions by the subject

50 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 51


Floods in Bihar has always created
havoc. Sidharth says he has seen lot
of problems and suffered and sur-
vived floods, and now its kind of
usual and people are now well pre-
17-Aug-2017 pared to tackle it.
The floods in western Bihar is mainly
due to overflowing of Gandak river.
Sidharth remembers when he used
bamboo bridges to corss flowing
water and flooded areas to reach
schools.
Credits: https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/sto-
ry/201708/motihari-story-fb_647_081417113652.jpg?size=770:433
52 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY
He feels that People outside of
Bihar rarely have much knowl-
edge about what all problems
and struggle they have to go
Aug 1, 2020,
through in times like these. Even
the media coverage is very less.
But now he feels people here are
used to these things and dont
much worry about the publicity.
People have become strong and
united after such natural calam-
ities and also has taught them
lot of things.
VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 53
 Moving to Chennai
Moving to Chennai for college was the
biggest change in his life.
Politics and Leadership That changed his goals, the way he
looked at life and how else can he ex-
plore the world. Coming from a very
conservative kind of background this
Politics also played some roles in his life, Siddharth mentions. His strong
shift changed his views on the world.
interest towards literature and understanding of world provided him the base This was mainly because of the col-
to understand politics also. He mentions some , even in very young age he lege he is studying and the degree he is
and his friends from his locality would attend rally of political parties. pursuing. He is pursuing a bachelors
Children and young people were asked to escort political leaders coming to in fashion technology from one of the
their places. premier fashion institute in India. Stud-
ying fashion broadened his thinking
. He mentions that this drastic change
In 10th class he was contested for a school level election for “Kishor bharti “( was mainly because he understood de-
A school level student union). He still remember the speech he gave during sign , art and fashion from the college.
a presentation at his school. At that time he understood what real politics Appreciating and understanding design
can be out there and he was getting enough idea and was confident . He was and art made him more humble towards
then nominated as “Mantri “for the same at his school’s “Kishor bharti”. the world.
Even in college he didnt leave his inter-
But now he feels he is more of a neutral towards political ideologies. Neither est for literature. and leadership skills.
right or left. He love the idea of secularism and has more broader thinkings He worked under literary club and be-
towards nation and world. came its member. His skills and leader-
ship skills eventually lead him to be the
president of the same club. His leader-
ship and coordination was well praised
by the professors and students . Being
at ealry stages in the literary club he got
the oppurutniy to attend a literary event
54 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY
in Chennai which inspired him . This event
was the literary fest organised by “The Hin-
du” called the LITFEST, in Chennai. This is
an annual literary fest where various nota-
ble authors, writers and literary field’s per-
sonalities come and interact with people.
Siddharth remembers that meeting some
of the guests there really touched him and
isnpired him. Some of them were- Audrey
Trushke, Rajmohan gandhi, Nobel laureate
Venki Ramakrishnan and Ram Chandra
Guha.
Listening to these greatminds help him
break some myths and assumption re-
garding literarutre and helped to make
his understanding on literature a bit more
borader. Being from Chamapran, a Region
where Gandhi ji inpsired people and where
Champran satygraha started , has always
inspsred him and same was meeting Ra-
jmohan gandhi, who is the grandson of
Gandhi ji. Interacting with him really in-
spired him was kind of a dream come true.
Because Gandhij’s idea of ahimsa and sus-
tainability was some beliefs that he follows.
And ramchandera guha is a notable author
who also wrote lot of school literature and
textbooks.
55
 Speaking at Independence day celebrations in College

Instgram Stories highlights during his experience at the Litfest event, Chennai

56 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 57

 Lot of new things that he expirenced while pursuing his college studies
gave him some eupohirc feelings. Like creating a full garment for the first
time he still remembers. By creating a garment he says that he started to
appreciate small small details and things around the world. Like studying
garmnet constructions made to him to understand even the tiniest fibre
from a piece of cloth. And even though he never tried art or design by
himself in his whole life, creating the first digital poster for movie as an
assignment for his submission gave him immense joy. Exploring design
then became his hobby and always looked upon to it.

He mentions how coming from a whole different culture to adapt to Ta- Creating Garments Exploring cultures
mil culutre was eventually a good expirence for him. It didnt took him
long enough to accept and explore the tamil culture in Chennai, and he
enjoyed it in whatever oppurtunity he got.

He wont forget the moment when he got the sight of the beach in Chen-
nai.
Because being from Bihar he had never acces to beach or never been out
of the state much in his life before college. So seeing the beach for the first
time was whole new different experince for him.

First digital art Travel

58 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 59
 2 Defining the POV
(EXEGESIS)
Attempting a project like visual ethnog-
raphy and that too studying that subject
from a remote place is quite challenging
and for me its first time doing such kind of
research. Regarding the case of remoteness
of the subject, i could have taken anyone
easily from my neighbourhood. But i always
wanted to explore northern India especially
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. I feel that there
is certain stereotype present in the minds
of people regarding these states. I strongly
feel that its because lack of communica-
tion of the state’s real culture, heritage and
ethnography to common people outside
and inside these states. Since the subject
was from Bihar, I used the opportunity to
the most to study and understand the state
from the perspective of a native guy. Sidh-
harth being from a culturally rich and his-
torically significant maithil brahmin family
provided me with lot of facts and history
that I felt were important for any person in
this country. And the fact that he being an
person of literature , Helped me with rich
60 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY
understanding of the whole contexts. This
research opened up a new side of him that
i never knew being in hostel or in college.
The one main fact that i learnt was how
deep is our India’s cultural heritage and
yet many people are unaware of it. i am
sure that a person from Bihar itself might
feel all this facts and understanding to be
normal , but for an outsider like me who
get to know this through an ethnographic
research was a quite different experience.
The best part wile in this journey was how
design process helped to understand get
things done smoothly. Understanding of
the subject was not a one day process. It
took em roughly one month to complete
this project, and it was a collaborative
effort. Being in lock down i was helpless
without him to understand. Compiling
bits and pieces of data and discussing
things together through this process was
really a euphoric experience to me.
This research has taught me one other fact
that how much important does the ethno-
graphic research plays especially in country
like India with diverse cultural difference.
Document and understanding it is far more
tougher and longer than this assignment.
Studying subject like Sidhharth who experi-
enced a very drastic transition in his lifestyle
has taught me that how our upbringing and
environment around us shapes us. No mat-
ter how much you avoid but certain elements
from your surrounding would surely affect
one living under it. I feel even a single human
being can be a source of lot of information.
From his/her experience of the world to how
they viewed the world around them. If we
start understanding people at this level, then
lot of design problems or “Wicked Problems”
can be solved. We should always appreci-
ate the things , surrouding and enviroment
around us, and try to study it. That is a great
source of information.
VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 61
 3 Ideating Ideas

The idea is to create a visual Book where i will try to depict the overall understanding that i developed
after studying this subject in visual forms. It will show the story in few illustrations covering some
major incidents that shaped him.

62 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 63

 4
PROTOTYPING
With some sample illustration and mockups i
treid showing the subject the desired output of
my research. Some changes were made along
the way , and after few interations everything
was cleared to test the final one.

64 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 65

66 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 67
 5
TESTING
A PDF sample with full document of the entire
visual representaiton was sent to the subject as
the final works.

His comments were, that the vibe and feel of

his place and state can be seen in the docu-
ment, and really makes him quickly recap all
his life through this.

68 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 69

 Being from a culturally rich Maithil Brahmin family of Paschim
Champaran he has a good foundation of hindu tradition, practises and .
Early spiritual and devotional practises helped him throughout his life.
 Banuchapar, Bettiah, West Champaran.

This district itself has its own major share of history from Asia’s big-
gest robbery to the place where Gandhi ji arrived in 1917 for the
Chamaparan moment.
To at-least a 2 storied Houses, the locality with a friendly neigbour-
hood is living in peace surrounded by serene enviroment
Tough times have made them stronger and stronger.
Sweets and community meals during traditional occasions brings everyone
together, regardless of their social and economic background. People from
all backgrounds celebrate each others festivals to the most.
Generally Bihar state itself is famous for its sweets and one cannot miss
that. From Dahi chuda , khaja and ladoo one must taste everything.

Events like this teaches one how to manage people, crowd and functions.
Serving in such social events helps them creates a strong bond and teach-
es life skills that one cannot get from books. It provides them with moral
strength and values to create the attachment to one’s real identity and
culture
Books as best friends
Bapu’s values and teachings will always be a lesson
for us to follow
Festivals like this is what unites us and reminds us of
our culture, roots and ethnicity.
Opening to a new world and new Expiernces of Design, art and what not
Being a literature enthusiast , attending and listen ing to great minds and
The Hindi LitFest , Chennai opened up new dimension for him in the
field of literature.
From being the “Mantri” in school politics to being the literary club presi-
dent of the college.
Exploring the creative world would be his life’s most amaz-
ing turning point.
 References
https://westchamparan.nic.in/how-to-reach/
https://westchamparan.nic.in/culture-heritage/
http://www.dsource.in/resource/rangoli/types-rangolis/aripan
https://indusscrolls.com/madhubanithe-story-of-mithila/
https://www.craftsvilla.com/blog/history-of-madhubani-art-paintings-will-leave-you-in-awe/

94 VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY VISUAL ETHNOGRAPHY 95