# Rajan Kafle

Rajan Kafle (Nepali: राजन काफ्ले; born June 11, 1979) is a Nepalese photographer. He is a photojournalist, visual storyteller and educator who commenced his career in video journalism amidst Nepal’s mass Democratic movement in 2006, a period of significant national transformation. He started his journey as a video journalist from Nepal television film-based program Hitmix. Before diving into photography, he spent decades in videography.

## Early life and career

Kafle was born in Putalibazar, Syangja, located in the central hilly region of Nepal. He completed his school-level education at Tribhuvan Adarsha High School located in his hometown. Later, he moved to Chitwan to start college and then moved to Kathmandu to pursue a Bachelor of Arts. Having been an Official Photographer for Nepal’s Prime Minister's Office from November 2019 to July 2021 during the ruling of the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Kafle, is a lifetime member of National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ). Throughout his career, Kafle has contributed to various notable online and print media outlets including Nepal television, Channel Nepal television and Kantipur television. His photography spans diverse genres, excelling in arts, sports and landscape categories. Kafle is also active in photography training.
Kafle served as a Multimedia Coordinator at Nepalese Fashion Home from March 2004 to July 2013 where he videotaped auditions and final events of beauty pageants like Miss News, Miss Little Newa etc. From 2005 to 2013, he worked as a cameraman and reporter for the film based television program Rajatpat that aired for a decade on Kantipur television. Beside this, he also conducted interviews with prominent Nepali film personalities and artists. He worked as a contractor photographer/videographer for the Film Development Board of Nepal from 2005 to 2019, where he was the official videographer for Nepal's first National Film Award in 2005, as well as subsequent awards in 2013 and 2014, and the official photographer for 2016, 2017, and 2018.
From April 2006 to October 2008, he worked as a cameraperson in Nepal television where he captured footage of the 2006 demonstrations against the king’s autocracy. Kafle, at the time served as a stringer cameraman for NTV and filmed for popular film based programs Hamro Cinema and Hitmix. From July 2007 to July 2012, he worked as a cameraperson and reporter in Channel Nepal television for the daily program M3 and TV programs like Parda, Jyotis Bigyan, Ghumgham and Saptarangi. His career took a significant turn when he got appointed as the photography officer at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal where he was a sole photographer responsible for documenting daily formal programs, managing live video telecast, updating the prime minister’s personal website and social media platforms. This pivotal position showcased his exceptional talent and solidified his reputation in the field. Photographs captured by Rajan then are also used at present as file photos in news and political features.

## Career in Nepalese TV Industry

Rajan Kafle brought his cinematographic expertise to the forefront in several Nepali TV programs leaving an indelible mark on the Nepalese television industry.
| TV Program | Year | Aired On |
| Lakshya | 2002 | Nepal Television |
| Hamro Cinema | 2005 | Nepal Television |
| Parichaya | 2005 | Nepal Television |
| Jire Khurshani | 2007 | Nepal Television |
| Meri Bassai | 2008 | Nepal Television |
| M3 | 2008 | Channel Nepal |
| Rajatpat | 2008 | Kantipur Television |
| Parda | 2010 | Nepal Television |
| Na Lekheyako Saino | 2004 | Kantipur Television |

## Cinematography

Rajan Kafle has also picturized a few documentary films offering unique insights into various facets of Nepali society and culture.
| Documentary Title | Year | Subject |
| Gasifire | 2009 | Exploration of innovative method of producing electricity by rice husks |
| Mallaz | 2010 | Highlights challenges and success of rural irrigation project challenges and successes |
| Pact | 2011 | Revolutionary agricultural project |
| Beyond The Boundary | 2010 | Journey of Nepal's Men's Cricket Team |
| A New Horizon | 2012 | Journey of Nepal’s Women's Cricket Team |
| Rainbow Field | 2012 | LGBTIQ+ sports journey |
| 32 Yard | 2015 | International journey of Nepal’s cricket team |
| Chaupadi | 2018 | Harmful tradition in Western rural Nepal about women's menstruation |
| Prema Shah | 2019 | Biopic of literary icon Late Prema Shah |
| Yarsha | 2013 | Yarsagumba phenomenon, shot at elevations from 4000 to 5000 meter |

## Awards

Kafle has received a few awards in respect of his camera works. For his works in the year 2022, he was honored with the ‘Outstanding Youth Photojournalism Award 2079’ by Reporters Club Nepal on the occasion of the organization’s 25th anniversary. He also has been awarded with Wedding Photographer of the year Award (2013), Entertainment Photojournalism Award (2018) and Outstanding Photojournalist Excellency Award (2019).