Indian Seaside

India’s middle class is booming. In 2010, it was estimated at around 50 million people. By 2025, it could reach 600 million. This vast social group—diverse and economically uneven—is increasingly benefiting from the country’s rapid economic growth. With greater disposable income and access to mobility, millions are now discovering the pleasures of domestic tourism.

Indian Seaside is a documentary photo series that explores how this rising middle class embraces the joys of the beach. Shot across small coastal resorts on both the east and west coasts of India, the images show how young couples, families, and groups of friends come to enjoy a few days of fun, relaxation, and escape.

On sandy shores dotted with candy floss vendors and rides, this new wave of Indian tourists expresses itself with energy and spontaneity. Their presence recalls the spirit of 1930s France, when paid holidays allowed the working class to discover the seaside for the first time.

Through a mix of candid scenes and quiet observations, Indian Seaside documents not just tourism, but a social transformation. These images offer a glimpse into how India’s middle class spends, moves, and experiences leisure—how it performs its place in society. The beach becomes a space of aspiration, joy, and shared ritual, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing nation.