Six young photographers capture North Chennai realities – Times of India

CHENNAI: Karthikeyan,17, has been living in Thiruvotriyur in the northern part of Chennai all his life. While he was aware of the industries, its pollution and the effects of it and wrong governance on the fishing community, he didn’t know that located amidst the chaos was a serene forest and agricultural field just a few kilometre away.
In Kattur, the teenager rediscovered North Chennai and captured it through his camera. Along with him, five others who were part of the photography session at the Zenith learning centre that was organised by Chennai Climate Action Group, Coastal Resource Centre and People’s Archive of Rural India have captured this part of the city in the way they see it.
Logeshwaran, 22, who has been volunteering with the centre, said he learnt how to tell a story through a picture because of this session. “We see fishermen often on the roads as the sea shore has eroded. The fishermen community who were central to this part of the city are slowly vanishing. And I could capture it only after speaking to the community which I didn’t do earlier. I realised they have a god who they often prayed to before going to the sea. So I used these tools to tell their story in my way,” he said.
Ali Basha, who runs the centre, said he was always aware that the students were extremely talented. “But I didn’t realise that they could actually deliver so well. They have surprised me and now I want to let this dream of photography grow in them and plan to get cameras for all of them. I am looking for sponsors for it,” he said.
He added the journey wasn’t an easy one. “Most of these children come from difficult families and have no help. They had no interest in learning and I offered food as a tool to ensure they came to the centre. And 28 years since, we help at least 60 students every year,” he said.
Award-winning photographer Palani Kumar not just guided them on photography lessons but helped them interact with people in their community to understand the area better.
Shafeeq Ahmed, another student, explained how sports, an integral part of their lives, couldn’t be pursued for lack of amenities. “We shot photos of shrinking kabaddi grounds, and how youngsters practised in limited space near industries. They practise amidst smoke and dust on poromboke lands. Yet they win medals at state and district level competitions,” he said.
For sisters Hairu Nisha and Noor Nisha, this opportunity is not just an empowering one, but helped them dream of a better future. “We lost our father at an early age and have always struggled for a single decent meal every day. But now, we know we can achieve anything if we want to,” she said.
The two-day photography exhibition at Amethyst will end on February 5.