These men take care of livestock throughout the year leading a semi-nomadic lifestyle moving with the grazing animals from one place to another, while their family stays back at home. They typically spend a few months before they come back home and are replaced by another man from the family who now leaves home for next few months. They take care of sheep, goat, horses and donkeys. The Hindu photographer Satyanarayana Gola captures various facets of their lives.
Taking care of a new-born pair of kids the shepherd spends time in the open field while grazing a herd. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
Checking the dues to be cleared by the end of the year before going to sleep on a routine day. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
In some families even women have to go alone and lead a nomadic life for a couple of months rearing sheep and goats. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
One of the shepherds keeps vigil for two hours before he hands over charge to another person from their nomadic team. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
While the dinner gets ready, the team prepares a plan to share the sentry duties in shifts during the night and rearing the next morning. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
Daring all vagaries of nature these shepherds seem to be narrating their woes to their best friends - the animals. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
Getting ready for a long chilly winter night after a day-long wandering in the open under hot sun. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
A shepherd mends his slippers while the animals graze in the open fields around him. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
While the sheep and goats are busy grazing along highway its playtime for the young members of the shepherds' team. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola
Goats and sheep grazing along a highway on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Photo: Satyanarayana Gola