HYDERABAD: When we visit a zoo, we feel delighted at the sight of various birds and animals. Enjoying in their company, some of us wish to be with the birds and animals forever.
Unfortunately, for most of us, this might not be possible, owing to our studies or work life.
For Rathika Ramasamy, the first woman wildlife photographer of India, this is her job. This is part of her everyday life!
Celebrating World Photo Day, this 46-year-old shares about her life journey with Visakha Express on her first visit to Vizag on Friday. Looking at her, we get a feeling that even the wild animals willingly pose to get captured on her lens.
Her father, an Army officer, gifted her with a digital camera when she was in her class X. She started clicking photos while on a trip to Agra. “He promised me saying that if I learn clicking from this camera, he would buy me a more advanced one soon. Luckily, my uncle gifted me with a DSLR during my college days”, says Rathika.
The irony about her life journey is that she was supposed to do Civil Engineering, but with Computer Science being introduced as a new course that time, her father wanted her to take up the course so she can comfortably sit in an air-conditioned room and work with no stress.
“Fate had other plans for me. Diametrically opposed to my father’s ambitions of becoming a software professional and sitting at one place, I now travel frequently and am not at a single place for too many days,” she smiles.
“But still, finishing my MSc and MBA in Chennai was a gift for me because at that time, it was tough for a photographer to edit and learn the techniques in a computer. But for me, it was a piece of cake. Later on, the MBA helped me in communicating and forging bonds with people, thus laying the foundation for my photography career”, Rathika says.
Born in Venkatachalapuram village near Theni, a town in Southern India, Rathika, during her early years, had a strong connection with nature with the nearby bird sanctuary at her village.
“I love travelling a lot. In 2004, after my marriage, I visited Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a UNESCO world heritage site in Rajasthan with my D70 lens kit. I never expected that there will be so many colourful birds. I was like an Alice in Wonderland, and fell in love with birds. Though I was aware that birds are the toughest to capture, still, I felt that it was my cup of coffee. My first shot was of a White Egret. I was a regular visitor to Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Delhi,” she adds.
Stating that she never approached anyone for help or support of any kind, she says it is God’s grace that she has everything.
“I was surprised when Doordarshan approached me for honouring me with ‘First Woman Wildlife Photographer in India’ in 2009. Even now, when seeking colleagues for guidance, I find all of them to be men”, she says.
On her preference of the kinds of forests for shooting, Rathika says she prefers Indian forests that are natural and exciting every single moment, with lots of wildlife action.
“I wait for a shot of the deer, and when I hear the footsteps I follow it, and after many hours, there comes the beauty. Tracking a subject is the biggest challenge and a good thing to learn from Indian forests. Among all the animals, the tiger is the best mother, as she goes alone for hunting and brings food for its babies, unlike elephants and lions which hunt in groups”, she points out.
Sharing her memory about Machli, India’s most iconic tigress and the ‘Queen of Ranthambore’ that died on August 19, Rathika says “She lived the best of life for over 19 years. I visited the Ranthambore national park many times, and the last time I took a photo of the majestic animal was in 2012”.
“The biggest challenge is in birding. I sit from morning to evening for a good shot. In the meantime, I get entertained with snakes and other reptiles. For others, it might be a scary situation but fear is not in my dictionary. It is always safe travelling in national parks. You must know the people there. When I am in Delhi, I always choose to travel in my car, and never opt for a bus, cab, or an auto. I’m more afraid of travelling alone at night on the city roads instead of being afraid of animals”, she says proudly.
Sharing her experience with tigers, Rathika says “The first time I saw a tiger, it was like Oh My God, such a magnificent and powerful animal. I got goose bumps staring at it for a few minutes. Even now, I freeze looking at its awesome beauty. But, the photographs we take cannot capture 100 per cent of its beauty.”
The photographer feels indebted to her family, especially her husband Sridhar for his unconditional support. She adds that he motivates her to explore different places.
“Once, I took him to a forest along with me. Seeing my patience in waiting for a shot for long hours, he became restless and crazy”, smiles Rathika.
“Everything in this profession comes from learning and experience. You are supposed to have 70 per cent of knowledge, and the rest comes from patience, observation and passion of nature and wildlife. I study every minute detail about the birds and animals - what they eat, how they hunt, the time they breed, etc., which helps me capture the best moments in my camera. Sometimes, weather conditions change, and a shot cannot be taken. Yes, it is a difficult job. I carry equipment weighing 15 kg, do not have time to put on makeup and cannot live in the city for days. But we have to come out of our comfort zone and explore the things that we dream of,” signs off Rathika Ramasamy.
