Students from Tamil Nadu capture and reveal the struggles faced by local labourers through their poignant photography project.
**Teens Illuminate the Lives of Labourers: A Photographic Exploration in Tamil Nadu**
**Teens Illuminate the Lives of Labourers: A Photographic Exploration in Tamil Nadu**
Young photographers share powerful stories of their communities’ hardest workers.
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.
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.
