UAH is secular, intellectual and non-aligned politically, culturally or religiously email discussion group.


{UAH} The photographer giving Africans in India a voice

The photographer giving Africans in India a voice

The incident quickly became national and international news, sparking a fierce debate about the number of racist attacks against Africans in India.
Photographer Mahesh Shantaram who lives in Bangalore, says the event sparked a moral compulsion to do something.
    "I had been disturbed by news of racism and discrimination, but when it's so close to home then it hits harder," Shantaram told CNN.
    "It was so shocking and horrific. The first reaction was 'how could this happen in my city?' and then after thinking about it for a while you realize it's not about the city but it's something more deep-seated."
    Abdul Karim from Nigeria pursues a B.Sc in Information Technology from NIMS, Jaipur.
    Shantaram decided he wanted to meet Africans living in Bangalore to try to understand their experiences living in India.
    "Being a photographer, the only response I know how to have is to make photos," he said. "I met them and spoke to them at length to try and understand the gravity of the situation, the everyday racism that they face."
    Pictured: Yvanne and his friend at Jimmy's Chicken in Jalandhar, 2016
    His photo series 'Racism: Africans in India' provides an insight into the lives of Africans, mainly students, living in the country. After capturing Africans in Bangalore he traveled across the country to meet more people, after five months he had dozens of portraits and even more stories.
    "By hearing them out I've heard so much about my own country, he explained, "It's not about Africans anymore, it's about India and something that's deeply wrong with our society."
    Through the images Shantaram says he is keen to start a conversation about racism in India, in light of an increasing number of attacks against Africans in the country.
    Pictured: Wandoh from Chad with two young children in Bangalore, 2016
    The photo series is currently being exhibited in five cities across India and Shantaram hopes to expand the project into a documentary. Shantaram says he has been overwhelmed by response to the project.
    "My African friends see this work as giving them a voice," he said.
    "What these portraits do is put a human in front of you, we can all read a dry newspaper report and read about how do and so did such and such. You look at a human being in front of you and they become real."

    --

    Gwokto La'Kitgum
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    "Even a small dog can piss on a tall building" Jim Hightower

    --
    Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

    Sharing is Caring:


    WE LOVE COMMENTS


    0 comments:

    Post a Comment

    Popular Posts

    Blog Archive

    Followers