The Journey of those forced to leave in search of stability - Photo © Eklavya Prasad
Portraits of Persistence: Enduring Communities of North Bihar – Eklavya Prasad’s ongoing photography exhibition at the Art Gallery of India International Centre, New Delhi (December 6–12, 2024. 11:00 am – 7:00 pm), poignantly highlights the lives of people affected by floods, illustrating the many challenges and some innovative community-driven solutions. The exhibition is part of his ongoing ‘The Visual Kathã’ series.
Prasad is a social development professional with nearly three decades of work, the last two focusing strongly on the interactions between people, water, and the environment. Parallel to fostering community-centred solutions to water insecurity, sanitation technology for flood-prone areas and contextual climate resilience, he has also used the photographic medium to raise awareness about the challenges and solutions that find little space in mainstream media.
Shaped by extensive experience in social research, fieldwork, and policy advocacy in India and overseas, Prasad’s photos have been seen in exhibitions in various venues in India and overseas including Loyola University Chicago and the Michigan State University in the U.S. as well as Ashoka University, Dibrugarh University and Vinayaka Mission’s Law School (Mahabalipuram) in India. They provide important insights into the environmental challenges facing India’s rural landscapes.
In an interview with me for Global Bihari, Eklavya Prasad speaks about his work and the role of photography in highlighting social issues.
Q. Can you tell us about your photo exhibition Portraits of Persistence: Enduring Communities of North Bihar?
A. This photo exhibition is a visual journey that captures the untold stories of resilience among North Bihar’s rural communities as they navigate the relentless cycle of annual flooding. It explores the varied typologies of floods—flash floods, riverine floods, and the gradual rise of river waters—and their immediate impacts on daily life, including submerged homes, devastated farmlands, and disrupted infrastructure. It also delves deeper into the enduring transformations caused by these natural disasters, revealing how they reshape rural livelihoods, alter societal structures, and leave generational imprints on the affected communities.
Amidst these challenges, the exhibition shines a light on the remarkable narratives of adaptation and survival. It captures the innovative coping mechanisms and community-driven solutions developed to address critical needs, emphasizing the interplay between human ingenuity and natural adversity. Each photograph celebrates the strength, resourcefulness, and determination of North Bihar’s people as they persist through and adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by floods.
The exhibition invites viewers to witness not just the struggles but also the enduring spirit of these communities. It is a testament to their ability to thrive despite nature’s challenges, offering a compelling narrative of resilience and hope
Q. What sets this exhibition apart from others?
A. I think it is my focus on the nuanced and often untold stories of life amidst floods. Rather than presenting floods solely as catastrophic events, my images explore their role as a force that shapes identity, culture, and innovation over time.
A key distinction lies in the portrayal of emotional resilience. The photographs delve into the quiet, everyday acts of persistence—how families rebuild and how traditions adapt through shared challenges. These moments reveal a profound connection between people and their environment, offering a perspective both intimate and deeply human.
The exhibition also uniquely captures the generational imprints of flooding, illustrating how the lessons and resilience of past experiences influence the present and guide future responses. This long-term perspective transforms the narrative from one of survival to one of enduring strength and continuity.
By combining compelling visuals with layered storytelling, the exhibition creates a dialogue about the interplay between adversity and adaptation, making it a powerful tribute to the spirit of North Bihar’s communities. More than a display of just a display of photographs, it’s an invitation to reflect on the beauty of persistence and the transformative power of resilience across diverse socio-economic strata. A narrative that demands to be heard, understood, acknowledged and meaningfully supported.
Q. How has Indian media highlighted or ignored issues that you have raised?
A. Indian media’s engagement with grassroots challenges and solutions, particularly in flood-prone areas, has been a mixed experience. Local media has often been far more responsive and grounded in its coverage, promptly reporting incidents and reflecting the nuances of the region. Their proximity to the affected areas enables them to capture the human stories and immediate impacts with greater depth and empathy. However, even in local media, there remains room for improvement in expanding the scope of coverage to include long-term perspectives and follow-ups.
National media, on the other hand, has largely fallen short in providing consistent and meaningful coverage. While they may highlight flood-related crises during peak events, the focus tends to be episodic and incident-centric, often neglecting the structural issues, long-term implications, and resilience strategies of affected communities. As a result, critical discussions around sustainable solutions, policy advocacy, and the lived realities of those in flood-prone areas are often overshadowed or entirely overlooked.
To be truly impactful, reporting must evolve beyond narrating incidents. It should delve into pre-flood preparedness, explore the immediate coping mechanisms during floods, and analyze the post-flood recovery efforts in the lives of affected people. Such an approach would not only provide a holistic understanding but also ensure that the voices of vulnerable communities are amplified in policy discussions and public consciousness. The media has the power to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and national narratives, but this requires a shift towards sustained, informed, and empathetic journalism.
Q. Is there anything one can learn from this show in terms of promoting photographic art or sustainability issues?
A. Absolutely. I think this show offers valuable insights for both promoting photographic art and addressing sustainability issues. From an artistic perspective, it demonstrates how photography can transcend aesthetics to become a tool for storytelling, advocacy, and awareness. It shows how carefully crafted visuals can capture not just the physical realities of a situation but also the emotional and cultural depth of the people affected. This approach encourages photographers to engage deeply with their subjects, using their art to humanize complex issues and spark meaningful conversations.
On sustainability, the exhibition provides a compelling example of how visual media can amplify critical issues like climate resilience, community adaptation, and grassroots innovation. Exploring the pre-, during, and post-flood realities of North Bihar’s communities, underscores the importance of understanding the entire lifecycle of a disaster and the ongoing efforts of affected people to rebuild their lives. This holistic perspective is essential for promoting sustainable solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term challenges.
The show serves as a reminder that art and sustainability are deeply interconnected. Photography, when used thoughtfully, can drive awareness, inspire action, and foster a deeper appreciation for the resilience of vulnerable communities, encouraging both artists and viewers to engage with pressing environmental and social issues in transformative ways.
Q. Little bit about yourself: What is your background and how did you come to use photographic art to tell this story?
A. I am a social development professional and a photographer, deeply engaged in documenting the intersection of environmental challenges and human resilience in rural landscapes. With over 29 years of experience, I have focused much of my work on communities that face the ongoing threat of floods, water scarcity, and the impacts of climate change. My approach blends both social development and photography to raise awareness and advocate for sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Since 2005, I have led Megh Pyne Abhiyan, a grassroots initiative dedicated to addressing drinking water and sanitation challenges in flood-prone areas of North Bihar and later, Jharkhand. Through my lens, I capture the harsh realities faced by these communities, but I also focus on their resilience, documenting practices like rainwater harvesting, sustainable sanitation, and traditional water management systems.
My exhibitions both in India and overseas, help bring attention to the complex issues of water governance and environmental sustainability in rural India, making these challenges accessible to a broader audience. In my work, I aim to foster engagement on these critical issues, highlighting the adaptability and strength of these communities.
Additionally, I have worked across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa, documenting rural resilience amid ecological disruptions, including in the Lower Mekong Basin. As both an artist and advocate, my role is to craft a narrative that humanizes environmental issues, bringing them into the conversations of policymakers, civil society, and global audiences to drive meaningful change.
Q. What is the state of Indian social communication photography? Are there any photographers whose work inspires you?
A. The state of Indian social communication photography is evolving rapidly, with a growing emphasis on documenting issues that intersect with social, environmental, and human rights concerns. Photography in this space is no longer just about capturing images; it’s about storytelling that provokes thought, and empathy, and even inspires change. Today, photographers in India are increasingly using their art to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, document the impact of socio-environmental issues, and promote grassroots solutions. There is a marked shift from mere documentation to creating a visual narrative that drives social advocacy and policy change.
I find myself particularly inspired by photographers like Raghu Rai, whose work has been instrumental in shaping social communication photography in India. His ability to capture the raw, unfiltered reality of India’s rural and urban struggles has influenced me deeply.
Another photographer who has significantly influenced me would be your work. Its focus inspires me to advance my own mission. I think your social communication projects seamlessly bridge the gap between art and advocacy, a path I aim to follow with my own projects.
I also admire Ruhani Kaur, whose recent work reflects a unique ability to use photography as a tool for storytelling that resonates with contemporary socio-issues. Her intimate and poignant captures of everyday lives amidst adversity remind me of the importance of connecting deeply with my subjects and conveying their stories with authenticity.
The PARI Network (People’s Archive of Rural India) run by senior journalist P. Sainath, is another significant source of inspiration. Their focus on rural India’s lived experiences through visual documentation aligns closely with my approach to photography. The collective effort by PARI to bring forth underreported narratives of rural life has been a beacon for photographers who wish to highlight the struggles, resilience, and stories of rural communities.
These photographers and platforms inspire me to continue using my lens to not only capture the struggles of rural communities but also to showcase their resilience, solutions, and the persistent human spirit in the face of extreme challenges.
Q. Does such work help the cause of conservation?
A. Yes, exhibitions like mine, play a crucial role in advancing the larger cause. By documenting the lived experiences of communities in flood-prone regions, my work brings attention to the pressing environmental challenges they face. Challenges that are deeply tied to the health of the natural ecosystem. My photo show highlights how these communities, despite the devastating impacts of floods, have developed adaptive solutions that not only help them survive but also contribute to environmental conservation.
Through visual storytelling, the exhibition showcases sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, traditional water management systems, and community-driven approaches to resilience. These practices, born out of necessity, are crucial for both water conservation and ecosystem restoration. By focusing on these innovations, the exhibition helps foster a deeper understanding of how conservation and community resilience are interconnected.
Furthermore, by sharing these stories with a broader audience, the exhibition encourages a shift in perspective. One that sees conservation as not just the preservation of nature in isolation, but as a holistic effort that includes the survival and well-being of the people who live in harmony with the land. This kind of work makes the cause of conservation more relatable and urgent, demonstrating that protecting the environment is not just an ecological issue, but also a matter of social justice and survival for vulnerable communities.
Q. What are your plans for this project? Have you contemplated any other issue you would like to take on next?
A. I envision expanding the Portraits of Persistence project to include all traditionally flood-prone areas in East and North East India, and on urban flooding as well. These regions, often surrounded by the myth of abundant water, are facing increasing water stresses that are rarely acknowledged. Through this expanded project, I hope to inspire a deeper understanding of the water crises in these areas. Highlighting not only the immediate impacts of flooding but also the underlying issues of water scarcity, pollution, and mismanagement.
Additionally, I aspire to co-create a new Visual Kathã series in collaboration with villagers experiencing water distress in these regions. By working closely with these communities, I aim to capture their stories of resilience and adaptation, amplifying their voices and showcasing their innovative approaches to water-related challenges.
Through this work, I hope to foster a shift in perception, encourage greater awareness of water issues in these regions, and inspire collective action to address the growing water crisis. My goal is to highlight both the struggles and the remarkable resilience of these communities and advocate for sustainable water management practices and policies that can help secure a better future for them.
