Fashion and celebrity photographer Jatin Kampani stepped out of his comfort zone, and took a walk down the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital for his latest project — a photo essay titled Dandelions of Colombo . Commissioned for and displayed at the ongoing Colombo Fashion Week, the images celebrate the “extraordinariness of ordinary moments of everyday life”.
It is part of the event’s ‘Celebrate Colombo’ initiative, which was conceptualised to revive the tourism industry following the Easter bombings which rocked the city in April. “The resilience of the people and how they bounced back from such a catastrophe is something that needs to be celebrated,” says Kampani, whose photo essay is the only such feature at the event.
But why dandelions? “What can be more symbolic of this than a flower that is much overlooked, but stands for joy and delight, and has the strength to bloom even in the most mundane of places,” asks Kampani in return. Shot completely in B&W, the photos feature people caught in candid moments; a far cry from his usual glossy magazine covers, ad campaigns and celebrity portraits. “The choice of monochrome was preconceived, because I wanted a common element to bind the images, as the situations I was shooting were extremely diverse,” he explains.
"These Sinhalese folk musicians were shot at the Gangaramaya temple, one of oldest and most historical Buddhist temples in Colombo. They also have a phenomenal collection of art," says Kampani.
The photos were shot over a week in July, after detailed research into the history of the city and a recee, which helped him zero in on the locations. The candid shots, of course, were more spontaneous. “It is about taking time to appreciate the wholesomeness of life, a happy, free and peaceful state of mind,” he says, adding, “I’ve invited the viewer to engage with the photos in their unique way.”
To Kampani, the essay embodies the spirit of the city, which is indomitable. “It has an inherent beauty that reflects a strong love for life and there are wonderful journeys to embark on in every corner of the city. All you need is the willingness,” he concludes.
Details at @jatinkampani on Instagram and on jatinkampani.com.
