Photographs that speak volumes about suffering, transformation of the fearless

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 9

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed,” stands true for Delhi-based photographer and social activist, Niraj Gera.

His documentary series — ‘Sacred Transformations’ and ‘Sacred Stains’ — have received great applause not only in the country, but also at the international level.

He was here in the city recently to take part in an awareness progarmme ‘Say No To Drugs’.

‘Sacred Stains’, a collection of 33 photographs, centred around menstrual hygiene and struggle of women due to the pain caused by menstruation and society.

“My aim behind the photo series ‘Scared Stains’ is to clear myths around periods. I have also initiated a petition on change.org, requesting the Indian government to provide free sanitary pads/tampons to women living below poverty line because only 18 per cent women in India have access to sanitary hygiene. Most of the women/girls from the remaining 82 per cent are using substitutes like unhygienic cloths and other unsafe alternatives such as sand, ash, jute sack, leaves or newspapers. It actually stirred my soul and I decided to do something about this problem in whatever capacity I can. I clicked three photographs on this issue, which powerfully express the problem and urge viewers to become more sensitive towards underprivileged women and their traumatic circumstances,” said Gera.

Niraj went to Nepal to shoot for his series where girls during menstruation are forced to stay in a hut, a place of seclusion or isolation used by certain cultures with strong taboos.

The use of menstrual huts continues to be the cause of death from exposure, dehydration, snakebite and smoke inhalation among other reasons.

Chhaupadi, a tradition associated with menstrual taboo, in the western part of Nepal, prohibits Hindu women and girls from participating in routine family activities while menstruating, as they are considered impure.

In some areas, restrictions extend to girls reading, writing or touching books during menstruation, out of fear of annoying Saraswati, the goddess of education.

Niraj does not want to restrict his campaign only to photography and exhibitions. He wishes to carry it further with his NGO Humanify Foundation.

He has planned a pan-India drive on menstrual hygiene awareness.

“I plan to distribute sanitary pads, awareness literature and offer help in rural areas and slums. I also hold awareness lectures in schools and make sure that boys are also a part of the lectures as even boys need to know about this natural process so that they become sensitive towards girls,” he added.

His photo series ‘Sacred Transformation’ aims to communicate the plight of acid attack survivors and the journey of their lives, in terms of coping up and regaining the lost hope.

It is dedicated to saluting the heroic efforts and the determination with which they strive to transform their lives.

“The photo documentary series is a compilation of pictures of survivors expressing different emotions experienced at different phases of their lives. It’s a step towards spreading awareness about such hideous acts,” he said.