**Teens Illuminate the Lives of Labourers: A Photographic Exploration in Tamil Nadu**

Sun Mar 16 2025 08:26:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)
**Teens Illuminate the Lives of Labourers: A Photographic Exploration in Tamil Nadu**

Young photographers share powerful stories of their communities’ hardest workers.


Students from Tamil Nadu capture and reveal the struggles faced by local labourers through their poignant photography project.

An elderly woman stares thoughtfully into the horizon, her hands cradling a basket filled with tobacco, surrounded by countless beedis she has meticulously rolled. This striking image is one among many captured by student photographer Rashmitha T in her Tamil Nadu village, shedding light on the hidden lives of workers. "Their stories deserve to be shared," Rashmitha asserted during an interview with BBC Tamil.

Showcased in the recent exhibition titled *The Unseen Perspective* at the Egmore Museum in Chennai, the photographs were taken by 40 students from government-run schools who documented the daily lives of their parents and other local adults. Their work spans a wide array of professions, highlighting the grueling tasks performed by around 400 million labourers across India.

Rashmitha's poignant images showcase the beedi rollers’ plight, revealing the health risks they face, including lung damage from prolonged exposure to tobacco. "Their homes smell of tobacco, making it hard to stay for long," she revealed, noting that these workers earn a meager sum for every 1,000 cigarettes rolled—approximately 250 rupees ($2.90; £2.20).

Meanwhile, student Jayaraj S photographed his mother, Pazhaniammal, as she labors at a brick kiln. Waking at 2 AM to capture her work, Jayaraj witnessed her struggles up close, observing her frequent complaints of pain from continuous physical labor. "She must work at night to escape the heat of the day," he explained.

Gopika Lakshmi M portrayed her father, Muthukrishnan, who defies his own health challenges to sell groceries from a van, driving to villages despite undergoing dialysis twice a week. "He looks like a hero, enduring these hardships to provide for us," she reflected.

Keerthi T documented her mother, Muthulakshmi, who manages the family shop while being the sole earner. Despite the long hours she dedicates to her work, Keerthi's photographs tell a story of resilience and dedication towards securing a better future for her family.

Student Mukesh K followed his father’s life at the quarry, where conditions are harsh, and sleep is sought on cardboard boxes. "My father works in harsh conditions and often comes home only once a week," he lamented.

These 13 to 17-year-olds are part of an initiative by Tamil Nadu's education department aimed at fostering social responsibility among students through art. "Understanding the lives of working people is the first step towards social change," said Muthamizh Kalaivizhi, the program's state lead, underlining the educational value of their efforts.

As these students learn the art of photography, they not only develop technical skills but also gain invaluable insights into their communities, capturing the essence of untold narratives through their lenses.

MORE ON THEME

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 19:21:19 GMT

Massive Anti-Government Demonstration Erupts in Serbia Following Tragic Railway Station Collapse

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 19:21:19 GMT
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 02:33:38 GMT

Unveiling Monochrome: A Global Snapshot Collection

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 02:33:38 GMT
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 08:08:09 GMT

Thai Students Celebrate Landmark Court Ruling on Hairstyle Freedom

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 08:08:09 GMT
Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:56:53 GMT

Serbia Faces Rising Tensions as Opposition Protests Escalate in Parliament

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:56:53 GMT
Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:40:09 GMT

The Evolution of DEI: A Transformative Legacy Adapted Under New Labels

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:40:09 GMT
Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:26:25 GMT

Emergence of a New Political Force: Bangladesh's Student Leaders Establish National Citizens Party

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:26:25 GMT
Thu, 27 Feb 2025 01:05:33 GMT

Did Iron Age Civilization in India Originate in Tamil Nadu?

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 01:05:33 GMT
Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:05:16 GMT

### Capturing Resilience: The Unseen Stories of Ukraine's War Photographers

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:05:16 GMT
Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:51:54 GMT

Tragic School Fire Claims Lives of Seventeen Pupils in Northern Nigeria

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:51:54 GMT
Sat, 01 Feb 2025 05:11:02 GMT

$1 Million Prize to Decipher Ancient Indus Valley Civilization Script

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 05:11:02 GMT
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 15:02:45 GMT

Thai Families Celebrate as Hostages Return Home from Gaza

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 15:02:45 GMT
Sat, 18 Jan 2025 14:53:50 GMT

The Chola Dynasty: A Forgotten Power in Global History

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 14:53:50 GMT
Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:42:32 GMT

Trump's New Official Portrait Sparks Commentary and Controversy

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:42:32 GMT
Sat, 18 Jan 2025 10:55:33 GMT

Trump's New Official Portrait: A Stark Departure with a Deliberate Message

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 10:55:33 GMT
Sat, 18 Jan 2025 07:38:45 GMT

Trump's New Official Portrait: A Stark Shift in Presidential Imagery

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 07:38:45 GMT
Sat, 18 Jan 2025 04:54:21 GMT

The Chola Dynasty: The Unsung Architects of a Global Legacy

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 04:54:21 GMT
Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:05:43 GMT

**Unlocking the Secrets of the Indus Script: A New Challenge for Codebreakers**

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:05:43 GMT
Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:59:42 GMT

Tragedy Strikes: Knife Attack Claims Lives at Slovak School

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:59:42 GMT
Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:08:07 GMT

The Hidden Struggles of Naples: A Tale Behind the Tourism

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:08:07 GMT
Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:31:32 GMT

Students Mobilize to Overhaul Democracy in Bangladesh

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:31:32 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.