The Tribal Heritage of India Photography Contest, launched on the World Photography Day on 19 August came to an eventful end with the announcement of the winners. Entries featuring various facets of over 51 different tribes of India were submitted by contestants from over 16 States.
The entries submitted underwent a rigorous jury process and was finally evaluated by an international jury panel of photographers and experts who have worked with indigenous communities in various parts of the world.
Alok Avinash from Purulia, West Bengal won the first prize with his picture of the Karma Puja ritual of the Santhals which was found to be “strong image with no faces but similar clothing, representing unity strengthened by women holding hands and worshipping nature, making it a strong image, very relevant today in the day and age of climate change and environmental challenges.”
Somenath Mukhopadhyay from Suri, West Bengal won the second prize for his picture of a group of Santhal ladies taking shelter under the natural raincoat made out of Sal leaves which the jury described as a “scene conveying a sense of communication and emotion, intimacy and laughter with beautiful colour and vibrance.”
Sudipto Das from Bhowanipur, West Bengal earned the third prize with a picture of a young girl and a cow against the backdrop of a freshly painted and embellished house during the Sohrai festival. The image reflects kindness and innocence and at the same time speaks about celebration and gratitude in great detail through its vibrant colours and excellent composition.
Barun Rajgaria from Purulia, West Bengal secured the fourth spot with his picture of two Bonda ladies, dressed in their traditional beauty, sharing a drink through the lautumba, a natural vessel made from dried gourd. The image reflects a shared moment and joyful exchange through its dynamic composition, vibrant colour and attractive attire.
Debdatta Chakraborty from Kolkata, West Bengal got the fifth place for his picture of an elderly Apatani couple that again portrayed a shared intimate moment of joy captured skillfully through great tones, lighting and clarity.
The Tribal Heritage of India Photography Contest was organised in partnership with various enterprises run by members and associates of the Tribal Design Forum namely, Ajam Emba, Indigenous Peoples Design Lab, Red Design and Rumbul in Jharkhand; Chitku Design Studio in Uttarakhand; Dak_ti Craft in Meghalaya; La in Sikkim; Studio Zeng in
Assam; Woven Threads in Nagaland and Jewel Tree London in the UK.
