The ongoing works of the Bangalore Metro Rail project have hit the livelihood of a few tourist photographers who can be seen in front of the Vidhana Soudha, working in all seasons.
Of late, their life seems to have turned bleak as the Metro work has made their functioning difficult. After the Metro work started, these photographers are left with no work as tourists don’t have a place to stand, sit or park their vehicles to take a picture with Vidhana Soudha in the background.
Anand's skin has wrinkled after 22 years of clicking pictures on the road in front of Vidhana Soudha. Remembering the old days Anand said that since there is not much money in the business more and more photographers are leaving this profession and now only 20 photographers can be seen.
“We don't get much business here so we take marriage orders to cover up our expenses. It is a feast for us when there is a farmer’s rally or a big function in front of the High Court,” reveals Anand.
Sharing similar sentiments, another photographer Anje Gowda said, “We have around 10 to 15 people on weekdays and around 35 to 40 people on weekends. With the metro spoiling the beauty of this majestic building, the tourists are not happy to pose for pictures.” Before 2011, a few photographers would make at least `400 per day. But now they struggle to make even `200 per day.
Satish is seen running behind tourists as they try to bargain with him. "Earlier, we charged `40 per photo but now only `30. Even then, the customers ask us to reduce the rate by half as the metro board has blocked the view. It is very hard to convince the tourists now,” he said.
In the bygone days people used to love getting their pictures clicked in front of the beautifully lit Soudha. But things have changed now.
"Back then, we were allowed till the steps of Vidhana Soudha. But now all that is blocked. I hope with new rules, they don't throw us out,” added Anje Gowda.
Photographers like Govindaraju have literally spent their entire life capturing memories in frames. Being the senior most photographer in the lot, he has been clicking pictures since 1989.
“I have been in this business for the past 23 years. Today, even if I want to do something else, nobody would consider me because of my age. I can't think of anything else other than clicking pictures. I have to take care of my two children who are still studying,” says Govindaraju and adds, “I have told my children to study well and never think of this business as I don't want them to stand on the road during all the seasons.”
Though their association has fizzled out, they don't compete against each other. “If one of our photographers approaches a customer, we don't interfere. In case, the customer is not convinced, only then we pitch in. But till date, we have been working together creating a healthy working atmosphere,” said Govindaraju.