A pile of garbage in the background contrasts with the carefree smiles of the two young Kashmiri girls. Their dresses, though caked in dirt, seem to be colourful when compared to their surroundings. The joy and enthusiasm on their faces leave the visitors befuddled. How can these children be happy amid so much of dullness? “Winterlude: A Season in Delhi”, an exhibition of portraits which concluded at Alliance Francaise de Delhi recently, displayed more of such photographs.
In her first photo exhibition, writer and independent filmmaker Chitvan Gill treats the subject of migration with a different approach. Gill documents the life at temporary settlements in Delhi that give refuge to Kashmiris during harsh winters. But instead of capturing the gloom, hardship and ugliness, she focuses more on the unusual exuberance of the children in these shanty settlements. Gill also explores the life and habits of these Kashmiri peasants and farmers who left their home towns to protect themselves against the chilly winters of the Valley. Their body language and attires seem like an anomaly in the temporary settlements of East Delhi. The tone and vibrancy in these photographs conceal the reality of their troubled lives.
While the adults give out sombre and subtle expressions, the children hold confident, joyful and boisterous expressions. Gill preferred to shoot more pictures with these children because they caught hold of her attention. “What attracted me most about this area was the confidence of these children. They were energetic, loud and oblivious to the difficulties and challenges around. They were different from the children of the adjoining areas,” says Gill. In some family portraits, Gill has moved in so close that the audiences can get a sense of space. Be it the games the children play or the household chores that their mothers do or the temporary work done by the men, Gill has managed to give the viewers a glimpse into every aspect of their life in Delhi. .
