She graduated in Documentary Photography & Photojournalism from the International Center of Photography, New York. Though her training has been in traditional documentary, she has chosen to pursue a more conceptual / contemporary style, while sticking to her documentary roots in research and fact-finding. Her interest lies in personal stories, and the ideas of the self and its relationship to that which has disappeared. This grant supports Alakananda to undertake a visual and written exploration of the idea of attachment through an engagement with the minority community of Armenians in Kolkata, using alternative photographic processes.