British-born cultural documentarian Pepita Seth has officially acquired Indian citizenship at the age of 84, marking a personal milestone after more than five decades of living and working in India. Seth, who has been based in Kerala for over 50 years, received her citizenship certificate through naturalisation this week.
Confirming the development, Thrissur district collector Arjun Pandian said Seth had applied for Indian citizenship in 2024 after meeting all eligibility requirements. “She has been staying here for over 50 years. By citizenship acquired by naturalisation, we handed over the certificate today,” he said.
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Speaking after receiving the certificate, Seth described the moment as the fulfilment of a long-held wish. “I am happy to be here and happy to have become an Indian citizen. My dream,” she said.
From UK to Kerala
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Seth first came to India as a traveller, drawn by the country’s history and traditions. She initially visited Delhi and Mumbai before travelling south. It was Kerala that left a lasting impression.
“I liked Kerala,” she said, recalling how repeated visits deepened her connection with the region. Seth has travelled extensively across north and central Kerala, attending cultural events and rituals. Over time, her interest turned into a sustained documentation through photography and writing.
She described watching Kathakali performances, witnessing Theyyam rituals and attending temple festivals and melams. Thrissur, she said, became her base because of its location and cultural vibrancy, allowing her to travel across the state with ease. She has lived in the city for over a decade.
#WATCH | Thrissur, Kerala | Padma Shri awardee Pepita Seth says, "I was born and brought up in UK. I came to India and gradually, I arrived in Kerala... Slowly I grew interested in the culture here and wrote many books... I stayed here for nearly 12 years..." (06.02) https://t.co/96oBzpVFuP pic.twitter.com/8aHrpsBeSu
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2026
Work on Kerala’s ritual traditions
Seth is best known for her long-term documentation of Kerala’s ritual art forms, especially Theyyam, also known as Kaliyattam. Her photographs and books have focused on preserving visual records of traditions that are rarely captured in depth.
Her work, spanning several decades, has been cited for bringing international attention to Kerala’s folk and ritual practices without diluting their social and cultural context.
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In 2012, she was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to art and culture, recognising her role in documenting and interpreting India’s living traditions.
With Indian citizenship now formalised, Seth said she feels her journey has come full circle with no longer just documenting the culture she admired but belonging to it.