Kathmandu, Oct. 18
Kishor Shrama has come up with his photo book 'Living
in the Mist' that features and documents the life, culture and costumes of
Raute community in western Nepal.
Sharma who is a documentary photographer, filmmaker,
and writer, has produced this book with a decade-long effort and multiple trips
to the hills of western Nepal following the nomadic Raute people.
Over the years of working, his own outlook on the
Raute has changed from simply documenting them to wanting to create more
dialogue about the community.
“This photo book has witnessed and experienced the ups
and downs of my journey as a photographer. Here, I have attempted to record the
lives of its protagonists, the Rautes, and their struggles. I am overwhelmed
today with emotions to see my 12-year-long effort become a reality,” said
Sharma.
The Rautes are considered to be the last nomadic
people of Nepal. They do not own land and have refused to accept citizenship
documents offered by the state. 'Living in the Mist' offers a glimpse into
their lives and their resistance towards being governed by a ‘modern' world. It
compels us to imagine the possibility of alternative and autonomous ways of
living.
"Sharma's photography and films composedly defend
the nuanced simplicity of people, life, and their landscape. Sharma has
extensive experience in documenting stories through photos and films, working
with diverse communities throughout Asia," said Nayan Tara Gurung
Kakshapati, Director of photo.circle, publisher of the book.
She said that this new publication is part of
photo.circle’s efforts to create a publishing platform for Nepali
photographers. “With space in mainstream print media shrinking, it is not easy
for Nepali photographers to get their work published. We have been trying to
support Nepali photographers to publish their work and we hope these books and
important stories like the one Kishor is telling us, have the long shelf lives
that they deserve,” said Kakshapati.
The book has been designed by Kerala based Italian
book designer Valentina Abenevoli and all texts have been translated by Prawin
Adhikari.
“Sharma is a self-aware outsider-observer who
constantly reflects on his learnings and un-learnings, during the course of his
meetings with the Raute,” writes Sohrab Hura, an established photographer and
filmmaker, and a member of Magnum Photos.
Meanwhile, an exhibition of Sharma's photos is being
exhibited at Patan House, Dhaugal in Lalitpur which will last until November
30, except Mondays and Dashain and Tihar.
No comments:
Post a Comment