A Rhythmic tale. Of Sonu

Submission for the course on Visual Communications

Young India Fellowship Programme 2011-12

A rhythmic tale. Of Sonu.

Of anguish and hope. Of a migrant; a kumhaar (potter) from Bijnor, UP; who forwent his ancestral profession. Of working as a waste segregator for the Delhi Waste Management at Hauz Khaz Village. Of his position in society; of yearning to eat at fancy restaurants and having free time, which he despises yet desires. Of strenuous work, filled with muck and grime. Of rum, his elixir of life that is always in his veins. Of earning enough to sustain his self esteem, which crumbles at the thought of revealing his work to his two toddlers. Of striving to disprove that living on his own terms is an illusion. This is his story, retold through our lens; the story of thousands of Sonu’s who migrate in search of opportunities end up in a fight for survival with just a little pinch of hope to give life its meaning.

You'd come here a thousands times, but never see me.

One day I will find time to do whatever I want.

I’m CEO, Bitch

Once a day, I will make my way through the narrow lanes, to your house. Keep your waste ready.

The plastic to the left, the glass to the right and the paper behind. Once I found diamonds, those went back to the owner.

Jab tak haath mein beedi hai, main apne pair pe khada ho sakta hoon.

I cook better than any of your fancy restaurants. There are no leftovers at my house.

I am a superhero of a different sort

The floor has to be clean; woh saala sahib keeps visiting and I don't want to listen to his groans.

No matter how hard you try to capture my through your lens, you will only get a glimpse of me.

Power lunch with bhai log. The one on the right is my brother Monu. The other guy comes from my land. I got him a job here. If we don't help each other, who will?

Found it in the trash today! Ekdum Hero lagunga.

I am in my own world, but I am always looking over my shoulder at what you're upto.

Back home. It is dark. Cold. Time nahi hai mere paas, char baje uthna hai. A bath to clean myself of my work; only after this can I touch my kids.

Hemanth is always by my side, holding onto me, even as I cook. I make terrific mutton. My wife won't be having any of it though; she is a vegetarian.

I exist for them. I am not a garbage sifter in their eyes. And I intend on keeping it that way.

I wish I could figure out what she is thinking.

I shall fade. You shall fade.

Credits This project is possible due to Sonu, who invited us into his world and introduced us to his family and his social circle. We would like to thank Prof. Sanjeev Chatterjee for guiding us and just being there. Interviewing Sandhya Iyer Rishabh Kaul Photography Gaurav Mohta Rishabh Kaul Editing Sharada Vadlamani Mahesh Jakhotia