Atul Kasbekar’s Photography Masterclass For Slum Kids
FOR 32 children from Mumbai, who live in underprivileged conditions and find it tough to even fulfill their basic needs on most occasions, it was a moment of exhilaration when celebrity lensman Atul Kasbekar reached out to them to conduct a masterclass on photography. Kasbekar was participating in an event called Mumbai Meri Jaan, a photography contest specially created for Mumbaikars, and promoted by Kanakia Art Foundation and Zillion Art Gallery – reached out with the programme in an effort to teach and create an interest that would see the children pursue photography as an art.
Kanakia Art Foundation presented the group of children, aged above 16, and who are supported by two non-governmental organisations Magic Bus and Avasara Leadership Fellows of Mumbai, a lifetime opportunity to learn and interact with ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, as he taught them the basics of photography at Nariman Point on Friday.
“Mumbai Meri Jaan, and teaching these children photography are our very small contributions to the city of dreams,” said Himanshu Kanakia, Managing Director of Kanakia Group. He added, “We believe every photograph tells a story. Our effort is to introduce these children to the idea, and the skills of those children who show an interest in photography as an art or passion will be further accentuated.”
The young photographers used the cityscape as their subject and were taken around Mumbai across the Gateway of India, Prince Wales Museum, Girgaon Chowpatty, Wilson College, Haji Ali, Worli Sea face, Bandra-Worli Sea link, till Bandra and Juhu. Their photographs will be part of the ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ photography contest.
The Mumbai Meri Jaan contest has eight categories celebrating the spirit of Mumbai: humanity, diversity, architecture, celebrations, business, entertainment, food and games, and would be judged by Kasbekar. The Kanakia Art Foundation covers a vast expanse of various art forms like painting, poetry, pottery, sculpting, dramatics, dance, mural and music, and has promoted a wide range of artists and helped them achieve substantial growth.
