Through the Lens of the Unseen: A Photographer's Journey

Every day, I would head out to the tribal area for my photography project. In the beginning, I quickly realized that holding my camera in my hand made it a bit difficult to connect with the people and put them at ease. So, I adopted the habit of keeping my camera safely tucked away inside my bag as I roamed the tribal streets. One of the major challenges I encountered was the language barrier since the locals spoke Nicobari and Hindi, which I wasn't familiar with. In those initial days, I faced a few difficulties as I noticed that many of the shy individuals would hurriedly run away if they caught sight of me taking pictures. However, there were exceptions. Most of the children and a few men were more receptive to facing the camera.

During my visits to certain houses, I was welcomed with warm hospitality and offered soft drinks. Yet, I encountered some difficulties in establishing a connection with a few people. However, after a week, I entered a house where a girl, studying in a private school, could speak English, making communication much easier. I shared the complete details of my project with her and requested her help, which she readily agreed to. Her mother gave her consent, and I felt truly grateful. Once she joined me, we decided to visit all the accessible houses. It became a bit easier to interact with the locals, and they began to see me as a friend.

However, there were times when a few intoxicated individuals caused trouble, preventing me from carrying out my work and questioning my presence in the tribal area. They even warned me not to enter, despite me seeking permission from the village's headman. When faced with such problems, I would approach the headman or the public for assistance. At times, even small children played a significant role in helping me, a gesture I would never forget throughout my project.