MPB brought together a group of photographers, including those with hearing impairments, for an inclusive Navaratri photo walk.
The festival of Navaratri is an exuberant ode to the goddesses who reign supreme. (Venkatesh K)
It’s that time of the year when a wave of excitement sweeps across the subcontinent of India. Nine nights of music, dance, colour, and unbridled celebration. The festival of Navaratri is an exuberant ode to the goddesses who reign supreme.
In the heart of Chennai, the arrival of Navaratri signals the commencement of an annual tradition, which is lovingly nurtured by Madras Photo Bloggers, a community led by Srivatsan Sankaran, and a passionate group of photographers. Every year, they orchestrate an inclusive photo walk along the bustling Mada Street in Mylapore that undergoes a vivacious transformation during the nine-day festival.
On a bright Sunday evening, recently, a diverse gathering of 30 photographers embarked on a walk from Kapaleeshwarar temple. The underlying sentiment was to capture the essence of every corner of the street, where golu doll shops adorned the landscape, beckoning from every 100 feet.
This year, the walk conducted by Madras Photo Bloggers welcomed five skilled photographers, who are hard of hearing. (Vaishali Vijaykumar)
This year, the walk welcomed five skilled photographers, who are hard of hearing. To offer them a seamless experience, Maheswari Sembuligam, a sign language interpreter, joined the group.
Srivatsan and his team believe that people with disabilities deserve equal opportunities.
“This is an opportunity for them to feel included and gain an understanding and appreciation of our society’s heritage. It’s also a chance to boost their confidence and empower them. Last year, we had 15 deaf participants, and managing with only one sign interpreter was challenging. This year, with five interpreters, we were able to give all of them equal attention,” shares Srivatsan.
Photographers from the deaf community encounter various other roadblocks including communication, understanding, and listening. (Venkatesh K)
But that was only part of the challenge. Photographers from the deaf community encounter various other roadblocks including communication, understanding, and listening. This is where the facilitator steps in.
Explaining her role, Maheshwari shares that the photography skills of individuals with disabilities are on par with those of people without disabilities. The difference, she says, lies in their perspective and approach to the subject.
“Sometimes, when subjects are informed and consent is obtained, the process proceeds smoothly. We never capture images without consent. Our aim is to simplify the process and assist them in capturing the essence more effectively. This also serves as a means of raising awareness about sign language,” she points out.
Each photographer selected a theme close to their heart. For Snehan, a photographer, who is hard of hearing, the focus was on the diverse colour combinations, forms, and shapes of dolls. His photographs portrayed not only the dolls but also the emotions of the people in attendance, accentuating the distinctive features of the dolls, whether they were wrapped in plastic or displayed in the open.
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As for Saravanan, this was his first time at the walk. He engaged in technical discussions with newfound friends using sign language. According to Maheswari’s interpretation of his sentiments, Saravanan had a delightful time observing his friends’ creations, interacting with vendors, and capturing moments on his phone.
Nanda Kumar, Kailash and Venkat were few others from the deaf community at the walk. Srivatsan believes that individuals who are hard of hearing often rely on practical and visual comprehension.
He explains, “Some of them aspire to visually narrate the story of art and artisans. Others are drawn to candid photography, capturing the lively interactions between vendors and buyers. Some prefer to focus on portraits, whether of dolls or people. Within our community, we not only learn from one another but also draw inspiration from each other’s work.”
A diverse gathering of 30 photographers embarked on a walk from Kapaleeshwarar temple. (Vaishali Vijaykumar)
In a heartwarming gesture last year, some photographers gifted printed copies of their photographs to their subjects, evoking priceless smiles.
“It’s important to recognise that this opportunity is seasonal, and once the festival concludes, such unique sights may not be readily available for our enjoyment,” Srivatsan emphasises.
In addition to expanding their vibrant photography portfolios, this experience provided an opportunity for able-bodied photographers to catch a glimpse of the world of sign language.
Srivatsan anticipates a growth in the numer of individuals learning sign language. This, he says, not only breaks down barriers but also allows people with disabilities to actively engage in artistic and photographic discussions.
He urges organisers in other metropolitan areas to enhance their initiatives by embracing inclusivity and partnering with NGOs to gain insights and guidance on making heritage walks more inclusive. They must also implement a feedback system for making necessary adjustments, he suggests.
“Sensitisation is key, enabling them to understand the depth of their responsibility. It’s time to involve local communities, including those with disabilities, in planning and organising heritage walks to ensure their perspectives are considered,” he offers.
Srivatsan’s suggestion will perhaps be brought to life across cities, holding the promise of a more inclusive and connected community of photographers.
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