CHENNAI : Evincing a vibrant kaleidoscope of rich narratives, the aisles of The Leela Palace were no less than a captivating gallery, where each photograph was a portal of both familiar and unseen world. Providing its intricate support to the unknown and less appreciated, the Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation rejoices in its fourth edition of the CPB Photo Awards on Thursday. Hosted at The Leela Palace Chennai, the event featured a walk-through exhibition with the photographers and an award ceremony to recognise the art of visual storytellers.
Reflecting on the journey of Chennai Photo Biennale, co-founder Shuchi Kapoor shares, “CPB was formed in the year 2019 with a small group of photographers and institutions who believed in the potential of this public art. The submissions today not only showcase the dedication of the storytellers but also reflect the topical diversity of the country.”
While elevating photography standards, the CPB award ceremony also serves as a prominent testament to collaboration with esteemed organisations like Emami Art, Nazar Foundation, The Leela Palace, and more. Engaged as their hospitality partner for three consecutive years at the annual ceremony, Raichel, marketing and PR head, The Leela Palace, says, “Beyond mere sponsorship, The Leela views this as an opportunity to give back and support the local community of budding photojournalists who often lack a platform to showcase their work.”
In line with the vision, the hotel also unveils its annual calendar at the event, spotlighting its heritage and architectural marvels through paintings done by Ganesh Kumar, a senior mouth artist and an active member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA). “Each month in the calendar presents a masterpiece depicting distinct facets of The Leela Palaces in India, skillfully crafted by artists with disabilities,” she adds.
With around 10,000 entries spanning over 300 cities, the accolades enumerated diverse themes such as News and Current Affairs, Climate, Environment and Conservation, Daily Life, and Culture, Portrait, Regional Photographer of the Year, Photo Story of the Year and a Danish Siddique Award for the Socially Concerned, in forms of a single image and a photo story.
Receiving the News and Current Affairs award for the photo story titled the ‘Kuki-Meitei Ethnic Conflict’, Stephen Luwang, a photojournalist intern at Imphal Free Press, shares, “The photograph vividly captures the devastation, suffering, and harsh reality of the conflict, reminding viewers to glean valuable lessons from past mistakes. As photojournalists, we initially capture the raw emotions of people and their untold stories and presenting them through our lens on such a platform is truly rewarding.”
In its commitment to furthering the initiative’s impact, The Leela Palace, through its collaboration with CPB, aims to attract prominent celebrity guests, broadening the event’s global reach and significance.