This portrait is a part of series of photographs that I shot while on an assignment for the ‘Chinar Corps’. Our itinerary included a village in the deeper ends of Kashmir. I was drawn to the daily life of the locals, how they travelled across the village and beyond, and their seemingly vanishing connectivity to the outside world. Among the many faces that I saw, this gentleman drew my attention. His quiet demeanor and slow movements welcomed me to look at the daily life of his village through his eyes. There was something about his presence, warm and welcoming, yet deeply reserved. In my attempts to not be overbearing, I was able to break through and had the longest conversation with him and I forgot about trying to find other villagers. I have no regrets about it as his point of view stayed with me and I plan to take it with me. It was his matured yet innocent expression that stayed with me. He had forgotten to smile in all his years of living in the village. Whenever I shoot portraits, I try to lighten the moment to make sure I get the most authentic expression from the subject. But with him, it felt like I would lie to the world if I did that. It, perhaps seemed unnecessary. His face carried a calm intrigue, still, composed, and full of unspoken stories. Reality of portraits is subtler yet stronger than performance, it seemed.