A WAYFARER AMONG WAYFARERS
To be able to hear sounds that go unheard, to see colours unseen, to understand the imperceptible, to find purity in the ethereal, to hear the cries and the joy of another soul, to explore the neglected whispers of the monuments is what it means to be a street photographer. To capture the storm brewing inside a body, to articulate what words never can, to have the eyes of an eagle among ordinary insignificant people is a power that only few of us possess. Trishna tries to make sense of the craziness around her through her photographs. She tries to save a moment in time so it can shine in the form of visual memories for her, for the moment lost in time and for the people in it. Read about why she thinks photography saved her.
Who is Trishna?
I am a staunch day dreamer with an experience of 20 years, still trying to figure out life, not immediately likeable but eventually relatable. I am also an amateur photographer and work with a small society of photographers, writers, artists and musicians called Focal Train. I grew up surrounded by people who supported me and appreciated my work, whether it was a cluttered drawing or a confusing photograph. I remember one of my drawings that my father was really proud of, it portrayed a girl being chased by a pig.(It is funny now that I think of it.) So that is the kind of support system I had since childhood. I consider myself to be a feminist as well and want people to understand that women are multifaceted, complex, full of contradictions not because “women are crazy” but because people are crazy and women happen to be people too :)
“Since I’m inarticulate, I express myself with images.”
I won’t say I had a calling in photography because it was something my mother made me pursue, to make me more sociable and use the unused DSLR my father bought. However, it has turned out to be a good thing because I am passionate about community and art, so it felt good to create something, someone, somewhere could relate to.
‘The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.’
Through my photographs I like to channel the emotions I feel, and the streets,the people are something I can strongly relate to. This is the reason why most of my photographs portray movement, emotions, and reality. It is always calming to know that how much ever confusing and difficult life gets, you are not alone. Well I am from a Hill Station and like any other Hill Station its is known for its scenic beauty and fascinating landscape. However, they forget the stories those deep alleys hold between their cracks, and that is where I draw my inspiration from, to share and to understand people. The most interesting part is to capture the vulnerability of the moment that is raw and true.
A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.
Having called myself a feminist earlier, I want to make it clear that feminism is not a “rule-book”, it does not mean become “anti-men”. It a process which works towards gender equality in economical, political and social aspects of life. I strongly vouch for gender equality and to attain it, people must individually surpass the social norms which separates us into different categories and provide us with a set of rules to follow, that are gender specific. And gender inequality is not only limited to women, it is the issue of men too.
Because I have seen the look on people’s faces when I tell them that my father cooks all three meals for my family,
I have seen boys suffer and battle with depression because they are unable to ask for help. In fear that it would make them less of a man, but it is okay to “cry like a girl” you know…its okay to “be bossy”, its okay to be who you are!
“You are a valuable instrument in the orchestration of your own world, and the overall harmony of the universe. Always be in command of your music. Only you can control and shape its tone. If life throws you a few bad notes or vibrations, don’t let them interrupt or alter your song.”
My message to all the girls who want to pursue photography professionally or as a hobby is to know that it is important to have an outlet for your emotions; to ultimately gain mental and spiritual stability. So just get out there, CREATE….TELL STORIES and eventually perseverance will produce organic results.
You can see more of Trishna’s photographs here:
