All you need is love and a cat.
DAYS OF DARKNESS
After a profound experience at the Chanchalaguda Jail, we drove down to a very tiny home in Uppal that housed a few ex-maoists, who were once prisoners themselves, to try and learn a bit from their experiences.
They were incredibly gracious and hospitable, offering us lunch, sharing what little they had. I suppose this was not surprising as one thing I had noticed after entering was; scattered all over their little abode were literally hundreds upon hundreds of books, most concerning communism and socialism.
This was our chance to speak to four ex-cons, who claimed to be wrongly and unfairly convicted, and alleged that most if not all of their crimes on the charge-sheet were fabricated. The four (Mrs. Padma, Ms. Anuradha, Ms. Kranti, and Mr. Krishnamurthy) had been imprisoned in the Hazirbagh Central Jail, Jarkhand Jail, Chattisgarh Central Jail, and the Rajamundry Central Jail respectively, for years ranging between 2 to 8.
A point that they all seemed to universally agree to was that the South Indian jails were comparatively better than their counterparts up in the North. From there, they began to narrate their experiences in these prisons, and honestly, some of the things I heard I’d rather not write as it still causes my heart to pain.
They did however speak about the over-crowded nature of the jails, wherein they literally had no space to move their bodies. Food was also a complaint, with Ms. Anurada beginning to weep, speaking of the inhumane conditions and food she endured.
Yet, these three women stood up for their fellow inmates, reminding the wardens and anyone listening that they were still very much human and were meant to be assured the basic amenities required to live with dignity and respect.
Mrs. Padma told us that despite everything, she was proud to be in prison so that the she could stand up and fight for justice from within. It was a bit eye-opening to hear that most prisoners are in fact, illiterate, and are not aware of their rights.
Mr. Krishnamurthy, who is almost 70, spoke of his unfortunate tryst with the law, once again bringing up the issue of being wrongfully accused and even being produced in court as a 25 year old man. But with a smile, he recounts that the entire staff within the Rajahmundry Central Jail were friendly, respectful and kind with him; providing him with books to read and tea to drink.
Perhaps the oddest thing of our visit was despite the horrors these people endured, they spoke generally with a smile on their face and a laugh never being too far behind. Till this day, they continue their fight for justice and fairness.
I hope the best for them, and for their noble cause, and while I understand full well the nature of life and of prisons, I hope that our institutions become a bastion of hope and of reformation and rehabilitation, and of earned second chances – much like the Chanchalaguda Jail.
Behind the bars – Chanchalguda Prison, Hyderabad
Life is an intriguing thing, so much of which is often dictated by the whims of chance and fortune. Would I be the same person as I am, had I been born a thousand miles away in a different continent, wrapped and immersed in a different culture? Often, our experiences shape who we tend to become, but with no power to choose where we are born and raised, in what household, with what ideologies, in what economic levels; our experiences tend to find us as much as we find them.
It’s precisely why I’ve often restrained myself from casting judgment at most people, thinking long and hard about a quote from Plato on the need for compassion – “be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle than you”.
And it is this thought process which has often made me wonder about the people who find themselves unfortunate enough to land in prison. The whys and hows are always at the forefront, but I gather the courage to believe in hope – hope that a prison doesn’t remain a house of misery but rather a home for rehabilitation, and the bedrock on which foundations are laid for a second chance.
When contacted by a Journalist from “The Week” to photograph a group of inmates in Hyderabad, I was eager, filled with this hope, and I’m happy that I went and even more so to be able to recount for you my little journey.
The Chanchalaguda prison appears to be a place dedicated to not shunning the shunned but raising their dignity and trying their best to put them back upon their feet, so that they may once more walk their own path, and this time, make better choices.
While not allowed to visit the internal portion of the institution, we were shown three places that highlighted the practices and ideology of the prison wonderfully. The entrance was filled with plants and trees and was gorgeously green; by merely looking at the landscape, it would be hard to believe that this was, in fact, a jail.
PROJECT OVERLOAD
A few months ago, I shot some photographs based on the theme “Overload” as part of the Indian Photography Festival, Hyderabad. Some of these images were printed and exhibited as a part of the festival in Chikkadpally on the streets for the public to view.
This project was quite challenging as it involved a lot of moving objects, and I had to be on my feet to capture these frames. I shot some of these images on a moving bike, while my friend was driving. I shot these images in areas; Srinagar Colony, Krishna Nagar, Tolichowki, Mehdipatnam, Erragadda, Sanath Nagar, Kukatpally and a few other areas I particularly don’t remember.
Hope you like these images!
The Gentle Giant – Akram Ul Haq
One day, I stumbled upon Art Kane’s (Arthur Kanofsky) work and I was surprised that one could even think of shooting musicians like he did! I didn’t come across any pictures where the musicians didn’t have their instruments with them. It was definitely a unique way to think.
A few weeks later, one of those days where I was feeling restless, I decided that I should translate Akram’s music into photos. I wanted to keep it as genuine as possible, so we shot all the photos in and outside his house where he spends most of his time practicing, and we shot it between 12 and 2 AM.
Akram is a new age western classical guitarist from Hyderabad, India. His compositions consist of an eclectic blend of modern and contemporary classical styles, cool licks and percussive techniques.
Check out akram’s compostions – https://www.youtube.com/user/akram9889/videos
Photography by Shanthan Reddy & Krishna Teja.
Now scroll down and check out these amazing photos!
An evening at Qutub Shahi Tombs
The Qutb Shahi Tombs are located in the Ibrahim Bagh (garden precinct), close to the famous Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. They contain the tombs and mosques built by the various kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The galleries of the smaller tombs are of a single storey while the larger ones are two storied. In the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces now remain.
STREET PROJECT – 2
This series is from one of the most famous markets in Hyderabad, The MONDA MARKET. It has this unique character of colors, lights and people. Someday, I would love to shoot a movie in these streets.
STREET PROJECT – 1
As most of you know by now that I tend to speak a lot more with my photographs than words, maybe because I am good at taking pictures than writing, I would like to show you one of the facets of photography I love the most, the streets.
Whenever I go out onto the streets along with my camera, there is a sense of mystery. You won’t know what you’ll come back with, sometimes I don’t even come back with any interesting photos. But when I do, my eyes glow, and I wouldn’t stop smiling and grinning while I edit my photos.
I will be posting more of my street photos from now on labelled as projects which may pertain to a certain theme, or a place or a person, but these will be all about the streets.
The first post is about the famous monument of Hyderabad, Charminar. Since it’s ramzan season now, I only feel right that my first post is about one of the most happening places in Hyderabad.
CINEMA OKA ALCHEMY
Last Friday I was invited by my bro Venkat Siddareddy to the launch of his book “Cinema Oka Alchemy”, at The Muse Art Gallery, Marriott in Hyderabad. It was my first time at a book launch and I was asked to take photographs of the event. I never anticipated that I’ll be surrounded with some 20 odd photographers and videographers at the event, most of them from tv channels and local movie websites. I had to use my Ninja tactics to capture whatever I could capture but in my style.
Venkat Siddareddy quotes
“కదిలే బొమ్మల కళా రూపం. కలలని సైతం కళ్ళ ముందుంచగలిగే అద్భుతం. బొమ్మలకు ప్రాణం పోయగల ఔషధం.
ఊహకందని ప్రపంచంలోకి ఇట్టే మనల్ని లాక్కెళ్లిపోగల సాధనం సినిమా.
సినిమా అమృతం కాదు. క్యాన్సర్ ని నయం చేయలేదు. కానీ జీవితాన్ని కాపాడే శక్తి కలదు. సినిమా తో బంగారం తయారు కాదు. కానీ మేధస్సుని మేలిమి బంగారంలా మెరిపించగలదు. సినిమా ద్వారా అంతిమ జ్ఞానం పొందలేము. కానీ జ్ఞాననేత్రాన్ని తెరిపించగలదు.
నేను రోజు వారీ కూలీనో, నువ్వో బిల్ గేట్స్ అయ్యుండొచ్చు; నేనో నిరక్షరాస్యుడిని, నువ్వొక డబుల్ పిహెచ్డి అయ్యుండొచ్చు. సినిమా హాలులో పక్కపక్క సీట్లో మనం అపరిచితులమై ఉండొడొచ్చు. కానీ నిన్నూ, నన్నూ, మనందరినీ ఒక్కరిగా చేసి, జీవితం మీద కొత్త ఆశ కలిగించగలదు. అందుకే సినిమా ఒక ఆల్కెమీ.”
Please pick your copy of the book from here –
http://www.amazon.in/Cinema-Oka-Alchemy-Venkat-Siddareddy/dp/9381172137/
Perks of being early.
The illustrations were put up in the art gallery.
The banner.
The man of the hour, Venkat Siddareddy.
This photo is an alchemy.
Discussion.
The present world is obsessed with recording.
Immersed.
Reflecting upon us.
Interview time!
Light moments.
A nice silhouette.
He did the proof reading.
Mahesh Kathi talking about the book and Venkat.
The publisher himself! (Perspectives publishers)
Notes being written by a journalist.
All that paparazzi.
Mahy was one of the most important persons responsible for the creation of this book.
National award winning director Satish Kasetty on his way to speak in front of the press.
t
Tammareddy Bharadwaj speaking about the book.
Ranjani Sivakumar Siddareddy.
Rana was the chief guest at this book launch.
Hogging all the limelight.
Lighting the lamp.
Unpacking the goods.
The press keliye showing the book moment.
Rana’s speech was short, simple and sensible.
All good!
That’s all folks! Hope you relived a part of the event here through my photos. Black and white makes everything look so dramatic.
Please pick your copy of the book from here –
http://www.amazon.in/Cinema-Oka-Alchemy-Venkat-Siddareddy/dp/9381172137/
This place called GOA.
I have been to GOA last year and I felt like living there for the next 3 months. I discovered this new way of life with the sea and all, because there is no sea in Hyderabad! I went again this year but to a different part of GOA. I stayed in cottages on Palolem and visited Agonda Beach and stayed there almost for half a day. Most of the pictures you see here are from Agonda and not Palolem. Palolem has a lot of activity and I was so immersed in them that I didn’t have time to take out my camera! But Agonda is different. It’s huge, serene and quiet. I hope you like these pictures.
What do you see?
Jumping on them waves.
I like to swim alone.
This is one of a kind image. Carefully observe and tell me what you see? Took me quite sometime to get this shot.
I was sitting really far away from the beach in the shacks. I saw this, and I pulled out my camera and stuck an 85 to it and VOILA!
This bird was playing with the sea! 
The dog found these humans.
Who’s that chutiya?
Legs, legs everywhere.
Sand was hot as fuck.
The only photograph I took in Palolem!
A view to see. 