In the annals of contemporary wildlife photography, Santosh Saligram is a name of repute as someone irretrievably enamoured with tigers and 'all things feline'. Amongst other things, Santosh describes himself as a 'pen-wielding raconteur', for his style involves narrating a story in partnership with striking, evocative images designed to touch a chord with the consumer. His creations reveal an eye for composition, imaginative use of light, and above all, a profound love and respect for his subjects, which, Santosh says, are the raison d'être of his work.

A qualified mechanical engineer, Santosh's penchant for photography traces its genesis to the excursions on which he would accompany his maternal uncles since he was of a tender age, and his association with the YHAI, an adventure and travel group. Gradually, what began as a casual desire to document his marauding blossomed into a passion and eventually into his profession as his present role as chief editor at a photography company. The role combines his twin loves of writing and photography.

Santosh has been richly recognised, most notably as winner of the NDTV Tiger Photo Contest in 2010, finalist in the same year and in 2012 at the world's most coveted competition - the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year - and recipient of several Special Mentions in the annual Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photography competitions. His photos have adorned many newspapers, magazines, exhibitions, websites, books, calendars and other merchandise both commercially and in aid of conservation.

A strong believer in the power of creative content in saving wildlife, Santosh counts the ability to infect another mind with love for our natural heritage as one of the great joys of his art and uses Nikon digital cameras, diverse lenses and Apple computers as his main tools in pursuit of enduring excellence.

Santosh may be emailed at santoshsaligram@gmail.com, and his work may be followed on his blog at www.tiggatales.blogspot.in and his Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/santigris.