Sunil Janah - A Lifestory

The individual was not just a photographer; they showed India's big changes in the 20th century. Their camera caught the energy of a country dealing with being free, being poor, and changes in society. From the hard times of the 1943 Bengal famine, which made a big impact, to the growing factories of a new India, their work showed everything. Born in 1918, they first studied English but soon found they loved taking pictures. Influenced by ideas about everyone being equal and caring about workers, their early work showed the problems of everyday people. The photographs are not just quick pictures; they are strong stories, full of care and understanding. As someone said, their pictures were "strong reminders of the social realities" that people often missed. They were not just taking pictures; they were helping people who were not heard. Being part of groups like the Progressive Writers Association and the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) made them even more dedicated to using their art to talk about social issues. Their work for magazines like 'People's War' and later, their own projects, showed a rare mix of skill and caring about society, making them a key person in Indian photojournalism. They passed away in 2012, leaving behind powerful and sad images.