Exta Ghantesvara is a semi-retired former photographer and, now, head curator of Canska castle, located on its dramatic perch above the Swift river in the foothills of the Shahdagh Mountains. In her youth, Exta attained a fair amount of recognition as a photographer, initially working for several newspapers, but then spent most of her career freelancing. As an independent and successful professional, she never took time for the task of creating a family.