*Young photographers in Tamil Nadu bring attention to the lives of local labourers, showcasing their struggles and resilience while advocating for social change through art.*
**Through the Lens of Youth: Documenting India's Labourers**
**Through the Lens of Youth: Documenting India's Labourers**
*Students Highlight the Struggles of Workers in Tamil Nadu through Photography*
In a heartfelt project, a group of young photographers from Tamil Nadu has taken it upon themselves to shed light on the lives of local labourers through a poignant photography exhibition titled "The Unseen Perspective". This unique exhibition, displayed at the Egmore Museum in Chennai, features images captured by 40 students from government schools, who documented the challenging realities faced by their families and community members.
Among the captivating images is a striking portrait of an elderly woman carefully rolling beedis, the traditional Indian cigarettes. Rashmitha T, one of the aspiring photographers, expressed her desire to reveal the untold stories of these workers, stating, "No-one knows about their work. Their untold stories need to be told." The exhibition serves as a significant platform to raise awareness about the estimated 400 million labourers in India, engaged in diverse and often backbreaking jobs.
Students showcased various professions, from quarry workers and tailors to farmers and grocery sellers. They highlighted the adverse health effects associated with these roles, with Rashmitha sharing insights on the vulnerability of beedi rollers to lung disease. Her photograph encapsulates the hard work and long hours these women commit for meagre earnings, where rolling 1,000 beedis yields just 250 rupees (approximately $3).
Jayaraj S also documented the intensive labor of his mother, a brick maker in Erode district, who begins her day at 2 a.m. to escape the sweltering midday sun. He reflected on the toll her work takes on her health, noting, "She frequently complains of pains and headaches." Students like Gopika Lakshmi and Keerthi expressed similar sentiments, capturing their parents' daily struggles amid health issues and financial constraints.
The photography initiative forms part of a broader educational program aimed at instilling social responsibility in these young individuals, equips them with technical skills in photography, and inspires them to engage meaningfully with their communities. Muthamizh Kalaivizhi, the program's lead, emphasized the importance of understanding the lives of working-class families, suggesting that such awareness can spark social change.
As these budding photographers continue their journey, their powerful images and stories resonate as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit within India's vast labour landscape.
Among the captivating images is a striking portrait of an elderly woman carefully rolling beedis, the traditional Indian cigarettes. Rashmitha T, one of the aspiring photographers, expressed her desire to reveal the untold stories of these workers, stating, "No-one knows about their work. Their untold stories need to be told." The exhibition serves as a significant platform to raise awareness about the estimated 400 million labourers in India, engaged in diverse and often backbreaking jobs.
Students showcased various professions, from quarry workers and tailors to farmers and grocery sellers. They highlighted the adverse health effects associated with these roles, with Rashmitha sharing insights on the vulnerability of beedi rollers to lung disease. Her photograph encapsulates the hard work and long hours these women commit for meagre earnings, where rolling 1,000 beedis yields just 250 rupees (approximately $3).
Jayaraj S also documented the intensive labor of his mother, a brick maker in Erode district, who begins her day at 2 a.m. to escape the sweltering midday sun. He reflected on the toll her work takes on her health, noting, "She frequently complains of pains and headaches." Students like Gopika Lakshmi and Keerthi expressed similar sentiments, capturing their parents' daily struggles amid health issues and financial constraints.
The photography initiative forms part of a broader educational program aimed at instilling social responsibility in these young individuals, equips them with technical skills in photography, and inspires them to engage meaningfully with their communities. Muthamizh Kalaivizhi, the program's lead, emphasized the importance of understanding the lives of working-class families, suggesting that such awareness can spark social change.
As these budding photographers continue their journey, their powerful images and stories resonate as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit within India's vast labour landscape.
