Ahtushi Deshpande

Ahtushi Deshpande (b. 1969) is a travel journalist, independent researcher, and one of India’s top 80 photographers, as recognized by the India Photo Archive Foundation. Her book Speaking Stones: Rock Art of Ladakh was a finalist for the 2024 Banff International Mountain Book Award. Featured in National Geographic Traveller, Marie Claire, and Outlook Traveller, Ahtushi has curated three impactful solo exhibitions: Therefore I Climb (2006), The Colour of My Cancer (2016), and Speaking Stones, which debuted in Mumbai, was showcased in Paris from November 2024 to January 2025, and most recently exhibited at the India International Centre, Delhi, concluding in June 2025.

A resilient voice in both adventure and advocacy, she continues to inspire through her photography, writing, and public engagement.

Explore more and purchase the book at speakingstonesladakh.com.