A group of students in Tamil Nadu has turned their lens on the lives of the region’s laborers, sharing their impactful photographic stories at an exhibition called "The Unseen Perspective."
Teens Shine a Light on the Lives of India's Hidden Labourers
Teens Shine a Light on the Lives of India's Hidden Labourers
Young photographers in Tamil Nadu unveil the often-overlooked stories of local labourers through powerful imagery.
In the small village of Tamil Nadu, elderly hands work tirelessly, rolling traditional beedis, while a young student, Rashmitha T, captures the struggles of her neighbors. "No-one knows about their work. Their untold stories need to be told," she remarked to the BBC, highlighting the desperate need for recognition of these underappreciated laborers.
The exhibition, held at the Egmore Museum in Chennai, features the work of 40 students from government-run schools, all focused on documenting the lives of their parents or other local workers. From the grueling tasks of quarry workers to the intricate craftsmanship of weavers and tailors, these teenagers shine a spotlight on the estimated 400 million laborers across India.
Rashmitha’s poignant photography exposes the health risks faced by beedi rollers, who earn a meager 250 rupees (about $2.90) for every thousand cigarettes they produce. Another participant, Jayaraj S, shared his mother’s plight as a brick maker, capturing her dedication that often leaves her in pain. "It was only when I started this project that I realized the hardships she faces," he confessed.
Stories of endurance shine through even in adversity, as shown in Gopika Lakshmi's portrayal of her father, who sells groceries despite undergoing dialysis. "We don’t have the luxury of resting at home," Lakshmi noted, portraying her father as a heroic figure trudging onward despite his illness.
The students faced challenges when initially learning photography techniques, but with guidance, they became adept at capturing their subjects’ realities in striking detail. Keerthi, another student, shed light on her mother’s resilience as the family’s sole breadwinner, while Mukesh K shared the tough conditions his father endures working at a quarry.
This initiative, driven by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department, aims to foster a sense of social responsibility among students through art. Muthamizh Kalaivizhi, a program leader, expressed hope that understanding these laborers' lives is a vital step toward social change.
The moving narratives expressed in this exhibition not only document the struggles of these workers but also serve to inspire empathy and recognition for the lives hidden from the mainstream view, ensuring their stories are no longer untold.
The exhibition, held at the Egmore Museum in Chennai, features the work of 40 students from government-run schools, all focused on documenting the lives of their parents or other local workers. From the grueling tasks of quarry workers to the intricate craftsmanship of weavers and tailors, these teenagers shine a spotlight on the estimated 400 million laborers across India.
Rashmitha’s poignant photography exposes the health risks faced by beedi rollers, who earn a meager 250 rupees (about $2.90) for every thousand cigarettes they produce. Another participant, Jayaraj S, shared his mother’s plight as a brick maker, capturing her dedication that often leaves her in pain. "It was only when I started this project that I realized the hardships she faces," he confessed.
Stories of endurance shine through even in adversity, as shown in Gopika Lakshmi's portrayal of her father, who sells groceries despite undergoing dialysis. "We don’t have the luxury of resting at home," Lakshmi noted, portraying her father as a heroic figure trudging onward despite his illness.
The students faced challenges when initially learning photography techniques, but with guidance, they became adept at capturing their subjects’ realities in striking detail. Keerthi, another student, shed light on her mother’s resilience as the family’s sole breadwinner, while Mukesh K shared the tough conditions his father endures working at a quarry.
This initiative, driven by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department, aims to foster a sense of social responsibility among students through art. Muthamizh Kalaivizhi, a program leader, expressed hope that understanding these laborers' lives is a vital step toward social change.
The moving narratives expressed in this exhibition not only document the struggles of these workers but also serve to inspire empathy and recognition for the lives hidden from the mainstream view, ensuring their stories are no longer untold.
