Palani Kumar, a young cinematographer, is all set for his first solo photography exhibition in the city.Palani, who worked on the documentary Kakoos, says that working in the movie changed his views about life
CHENNAI: The miserable working conditions and lives of workers who are pushed into manual scavenging in Tamil Nadu has been often spoken about. A documentary which brought to light the conditions of these conservancy workers was Kakkoos by Divya Bharathi. Palani Kumar, (27), a photographer who shot grim conditions of these workers is in the city for a solo exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi.
Titled ‘Naanum Oru Kuzhandhai’, the photographs document the life of children of sanitation workers across Tamil Nadu. “I feel I am destined to work for children-related issues,” says Palani. A graduate from Madurai, Palani was yet another engineer who was stuck in the cross roads of life. “I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do. But, in 2013, I decided to purchase a camera. That was the turning point in my life,” he recalls.
Discovering his innate talent in visual arts, specifically in photography, he began documenting things around him. “In my new journey, I became associated with groups that work for the welfare of children. I volunteered with them in teaching arts to children in government schools and tribal communities. I realised that I can bring a change through art,” he shares.
Palani began documenting the lives of children. “I wanted to use my photography skills for a social cause. When I was thinking how I can take it to the next level, I got the opportunity to work for Kakkoos. I didn’t have any inhibitions and I readily agreed!” he says.
In 2015, when Divya Bharathi began shooting the film, travelling to different districts in Tamil Nadu, he joined the team. “The film was a learning opportunity for me and I feel blessed that I had the chance to be part of it. During shoot, we met families that were into manual scavenging. But, the lives of their children were under the radar,” he says.
He narrates an incident that still makes his gut wrench. “While travelling across the State, I captured a manual scavenger cleaning the feces and what not with his bare hands. His daughter witnessed this and she looked at his hands, confused. Sadly, when the children grow up, they get into manual scavenging as well. It’s a vicious cycle and it needs to stop!” he avers.
His photographs draw ‘connections’ and portray the innocence of the workers’ children “They too have a life ahead of them and we should help them see the light. We can’t let them get caught in the same trap,” he says, pointing to the picture of a group of children with uninhibited smiles. “We travelled to over 25 districts and the lives of the workers and the children are same everywhere. I want to save them and I’m doing it through what I know.”
This is his debut show, and he says, “Two years back, if you had asked me how I felt about having a solo show, I would have reacted differently. But today, it’s all about creating social awareness through my photographs.”
Palani is a full time freelance photographer and takes wedding and portfolio requests too. “I do this for a living. But, I will be spending a major part of my time trying to better the lives and future of these children,” he adds.
Palani Kumar’s photographs will be displayed at Lalit Kala Akademi from November 9 to 14. For details call: 28291692