Guwahati: Assam-based nature photographer Bidyut Kalita has won the prestigious Memorial María Luisa International Mountain, Nature and Adventure Photography Award in Spain, securing the top honour in the Macro Category.
The renowned competition, named after Spanish mountaineer María Luisa Álvarez Álvarez, celebrates photography focused on mountains, nature and adventure.
Álvarez Álvarez died in a mountain accident in 1990, after which the contest was established in her memory.
“This year, I had the honour of participating in the 36th Memorial María Luisa International Photography Award, Spain — a globally respected competition that received 18,059 photographs from 78 countries,” Kalita said in a post on social media.
He said, “The scale, diversity, and quality of work from around the world were truly humbling.”
“I am beyond grateful to share that I have been awarded Winner of the Macro Category in this prestigious international platform,” he said.
Kalita’s winning image, a striking macro photograph titled “The Flying Engineer,” captures a potter wasp in mid-flight carrying a caterpillar for its young.
Reflecting on the journey behind the achievement, he said, “From observing tiny subjects around my home in Assam to standing recognised on a global stage — this journey feels surreal. It has been built on patience, persistence, and a deep love for the small wonders of nature.
This recognition proves that even the smallest stories, when told with honesty and dedication, can travel across continents.”
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Kalita dedicated the recognition to his roots and to aspiring creators from smaller towns. “This achievement belongs not just to me, but to my roots, to Assam, to every small-town dreamer who believes that passion can overcome distance,” he said.
The Assamese photographer has also received recognition on other major international platforms.
He earlier earned global acclaim at the 2025 edition of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, organised by the Natural History Museum.
