In a bid to address the gender imbalance in photography, Chennai-based photographer Amar Ramesh and the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB) Foundation launched the Kanavu Fellowship in 2021. They recognized the need to focus on low and lower-middle-class homes in smaller towns of Tamil Nadu, where women’s participation was scarce. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to provide women from diverse backgrounds, including homemakers, fresh graduates, and stay-at-home moms, with the opportunity to become storytellers behind the camera. Through the fellowship, these women have emerged as the first female photographers in their towns, specializing in niche genres such as documentary, wedding, and newborn photography.
Kanavu Fellowship: Women’s Creative Potential in Niche Photography Genres
Among the success stories of Team Kanavu is Chandini Ramesh, a mother from Theni district, renowned for her newborn photography. Chandini, who had put her career on hold after marriage, found her passion in capturing moments of her own daughter’s life. Recognizing her talent, friends started seeking her expertise, which eventually led Chandini to the Kanavu fellowship. With the support of the program, she not only gained a strong online presence but also invested her earnings in improving her skills and equipment. Chandini’s story exemplifies the transformative power of the fellowship for aspiring photographers like her.
Empowering Women Through Training, Mentorship, and Industry Connections
Every year, around 50 women respond to the open call for the Kanavu fellowship. From this pool of applicants, five women from marginalized backgrounds in terms of caste, gender identity, and socio-economic status are selected. In India, commercial photography and cinema have traditionally been male-dominated fields, both in terms of the stories being told and the artists behind the lens. This makes it even more challenging for women from smaller towns to break into the industry. Recognizing these barriers, mentors from the CPB Foundation, including Gayatri Nair and Amar Ramesh, guide the fellows throughout the year-long program, providing them with cameras, training, and essential skills in photography, filmmaking, business management, and networking.
The fellowship program goes beyond technical training, exposing the fellows to emerging genres and empowering them to choose their areas of interest. By amplifying local stories and highlighting underrepresented voices, the Kanavu fellows bring attention to issues affecting their communities, such as the struggles of fisherwomen and the lives of tribal communities. As the program enters its third edition, it continues to evolve, incorporating elements like communication skills and social media training to equip the participants with a comprehensive skill set.
The impact of the Kanavu fellowship extends beyond training. The CPB Foundation and Studio A have helped fellows secure employment and provided equipment when needed. Many graduates have found positions as photographers in heritage museums and textile stores, showcasing their talent and making meaningful contributions to their respective fields. While the program faces funding challenges due to the pandemic, the team aspires to expand its reach, ensuring that every woman they train can pursue photography as a full-time profession.
Kanavu is not just about photography; it represents a movement that aims to empower women financially and enable them to make decisions that shape their lives.
Through this transformative fellowship, women in small-town India are discovering their creative potential and finding a path to financial independence, paving the way for a future where they can thrive in the world of photography and filmmaking.
