**In a unique project, students document the lives and hardships of their families and neighbors, sparking conversations on social responsibility.**
**Teens Shine Spotlight on India's Hidden Labourers through Photography**
**Teens Shine Spotlight on India's Hidden Labourers through Photography**
**Young photographers from Tamil Nadu unveil the struggles of local labourers in poignant images.**
In a remarkable showcase of artistic expression and social awareness, a group of teenagers from government-run schools in Tamil Nadu have captured the untold stories of the region's labourers through their lenses. The initiative culminated in an exhibition titled "The Unseen Perspective," held at the Egmore Museum in Chennai.
Among the featured photographs is a striking image of an elderly woman, her hands poised over a basket filled with tobacco, representative of the traditional Indian cigarette-making process known as beedis. Rashmitha T, the young photographer behind this poignant portrayal, emphasized that these individuals—from the beedi rollers to brick makers—work tirelessly yet remain largely invisible in society. "Their untold stories need to be told," Rashmitha shared.
The exhibition encapsulates the efforts of 40 students who documented the everyday existence of local workers, revealing the harsh realities faced by over 400 million labourers in India. In one moving image, Jayaraj S captures his mother, Pazhaniammal, working as a brick maker in Erode district, where the arduous nature of her job led him to wake at 2 a.m. to observe her in action. "It was eye-opening to see the struggles she endures every day," Jayaraj confessed.
Another participant, Gopika Lakshmi M, spotlighted her father, who continues to sell groceries despite undergoing dialysis twice a week. "We don't have the luxury of resting at home," she noted, capturing her father's resilience as he sells goods from an old van.
The project's emphasis on artistic education and social responsibility was further explained by Muthamizh Kalaivizhi, the founder of the Neelam Foundation. "Students are learning the importance of understanding the lives of those around them, which is essential for fostering social change," he stated.
As these young photographers sharpen their skills in capturing the beauty and struggles of everyday life, they are also encouraging a deeper perception of the labourers' challenges within their communities and beyond. Through their photographs, they are not only telling stories but also illuminating paths toward empathy and understanding in a world often quick to overlook those who toil behind the scenes.
