ARRIVAL LOUNGE
A FOCUS ON THE JOYS OF LIFE
Saikat Mridha runs his own photography and videography business, PhotoFeelSaikat.
By SHIPRA CHAUDHURY
Saikat Mridha believes that “photo feel” is all about the experience every image delivers distinctly to the heart, be it a wedding shoot, maternity shoot or newborn baby shoot, portrait, or landscape.
“It frames every moment with the touch of its unique and distinctive feel,” says the 40-something photographer who moved to Canada from the US in 2020 to join his wife.
Both he and his wife were in IT for 15 years, but his passion for photography directed him away from his work as a technical lead.
Today he runs his own photography and videography business, PhotoFeelSaikat, and enjoys his work, exploring creative aspects of his field.
“I am the director, cinematographer, editor, and colourist,” says Mridha. “I have been in content creation and video editing for many years. One of my short films, Magic Trick, was nominated for Indie Short Awards New York, which presents one of the biggest short film live events of the season, with over100 films, masterclasses, and great networking possibilities in the heart of New York.”
He shares the story behind the idea for this short film. “I didn’t shave for quite some time as I was shooting another short film, Can Love Survive Corona? Once the shoot ended, I was about to get a clean shave, but had this sudden idea – of creating something magical with this transformation of a bearded look in place of a clean shaved one!
Having lived in two different countries (Singapore and the US) before moving to Canada from India, Mridha was well aware of the complexities and difficulties that one might face in a new environment.
“Those experiences in the US smoothened my transition in Canada,” he says. “The passing of time taught me that there are differences, both good and bad sides, wherever you are. Everything around inspires me, especially emotions. And the work that is tough and impossible always attracts me more.”
His interests are wide and varied. Mridha enjoys riding motorbikes. “I’m a hardcore motorcyclist with a riding experience of more than 26 years. I used to travel long distances on my motorcycle back in India. I continued my passion in the US as well, clocking more than 100,000 km before moving to Canada. I had even ridden from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Toronto and back on the same bike during my US days. In fact, I got my motorcycle shipped along with my other belongings to Canada and am still riding it! And I am part of many motorcycle groups, too.”
His eyes sparkle as he describes his YouTube channel, RidingInDNA.
He’s also a drummer. “I started way back in 2004 during my college days, playing in numerous stage shows, including one of A.R. Rahman’s on Sun TV. I used to be my band’s sound engineer as well. From there I got experience in recording and mixing which I’m still continuing on a small scale.”
And he’s passionate about dance as well, winning the first prize in a competition while at college back in 2005.
“In the recent past, I have released a video on my dance which got quite a good number of views on YouTube,” he says.
Canada’s natural beauty and the easy availability of desi dishes are what he likes the most about the country.
Moving outside of the desi community to mix with other communities helps one understand and feel the real culture of Canada, says Mridha.
• If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357.