Saumya Khandelwal

Saumya Khandelwal

Saumya Khandelwal

THE INSPIRATION
Life, people, movies, art and reading. I have been drawing a lot of inspiration from movies lately. I think I sub-consciously absorb the way narratives are built through cinema. Photography was a way to explore my surroundings and to know more about the people that I would see—the look in their eyes, what they were thinking, what it would mean to be in their place. This continues to inspire me. What continues to surprise me is the potential of the medium, and it pushes me to explore more not just in terms of its language, but also its scope, and the fact that it is inter-disciplinary. 
I believe my experiences define my art. Coming from a small city and living in an urban centre, I find myself drawn to everything that breathes of the times gone by…architecture, people, the culture that’s lacking in the modern world. 
I am also fascinated with the stories of people—who they are, where they are coming from, how they think and live. I am very curious about what goes behind closed doors, the moments when people let themselves be. I like to work towards these nuances.

CHILD BRIDES OF SHRAVASTI 
It was turmeric that made 12-year-old Suman of Kyotan Purva village realise that she was getting married. Ten-year-old Jaggi, from the same village, got married six months ago, but in her case it was vermilion that made it sink in that she was finally bound by nuptial vows. But Suman and Jaggi are not alone as many other girls of their ilk have to resort to such symbols to understand marriage, because they’re too yo ung to comprehend it otherwise. 
    This is the Shravasti district in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous and among the least literate states of the world’s fastest growing big economy. According to Census 2011, one in every four girls born in Shravasti is married off before she turns 18, making it one of the worst performing districts in the country—ninth in over 700 to be precise. If that is not alarming enough, sample this: “couples” in the age group of 10-19 have given birth to six million children. And Uttar Pradesh leads the ranks at over 1 million. By law, marriage among girls below 18 and boys below 21 years of age is illegal in India, but the practice continues unabated. In the absence of childhood, dreams and desire, they are left to face the realities and repercussions of premature marriage, and in many cases premature parenthood too. 
    Child Brides of Shravasti looks at the stories of such girls who have lost their innocence too early. 

Child Brides of Shravasti presented by National Foundation for India is on at India Habitat Centre till the 21st of March.