Kevin Carter, Sangolli Sangvva are metaphors of photojournalism, says K.V. Prabhakar
Bengaluru, August 19: “When looks touch the heart, a great photojournalist is born. The picture captured in that moment becomes history,” said K.V. Prabhakar, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He was speaking at the inauguration of World Photography Day celebrations organised by the Bangalore Photojournalists’ Association on Monday.
Prabhakar highlighted that vision and insight form the foundation of good photojournalism. “A child understands the world through looks even before he learns to speak. Looks do not require words, sentences, or language. That is why we say ‘Love at first sight’. For photojournalists, this power of vision is crucial,” he said.
Citing examples, Prabhakar described South African photographer Kevin Carter and Karnataka’s Sangolli Sangvva as “two visual texts of photojournalism.”
He recalled Carter’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph from famine-hit Sudan in 1993, which depicted a starving child collapsing on the ground while a vulture waited nearby. “That single frame became an indelible text in journalism. It raised questions across the world, but also haunted Carter, who ended his life three months later. His photo proved that a look is itself a universal language, capable of sparking global debates,” he said.
Similarly, he pointed to the story of Sangvva from Belagavi, whose photograph bowing to the steps of a government bus under the Shakti Yojana scheme went viral last year. “When the scheme was announced, there was criticism and mockery. But Sangvva’s single act of gratitude, captured in a photo, erased all jokes and touched millions. Within 24 hours, she became a symbol of dignity and emotion,” Prabhakar noted.
According to him, reports and words may sometimes distort facts, but photographs never lie. “Pictures are the seal of truth in journalism. They carry authenticity and permanence in a way text cannot,” he said.
On the role of technology, Prabhakar said photography today is easier than it was two decades ago, but creativity remains the deciding factor. “Artificial intelligence is both a challenge and an opportunity. Technology cannot replace human imagination. As long as photographers remain creative and compassionate, no machine can replace them,” he observed.
He also underlined the growing importance of photojournalists at grassroots levels. “Even today, photographers are in greater demand than reporters in rural and taluk areas. Politicians wait for photographs of their inauguration programmes. Photos speak across languages, even to the illiterate. That is the power of photography,” he said.
Prabhakar urged editors to recognise this importance. “A report may be removed, but no one discards a good photograph. Newspapers must make efficient use of photo space,” he added.
The event was attended by Deccan Herald Chairman K.N. Shanthakumar, Madhyamika Academy President Ayesha Khanum, senior photojournalist Bhagyaprakash, Bangalore Photojournalist Association President Mohan, and senior journalist Sadashiva Shenoy.
Photographers as historians
Prabhakar also stressed that photographers play the role of historians. “From freedom struggles to wars, it is photographs that have preserved the faces and moments of the past for future generations. This dual role makes photojournalists not just storytellers of today, but historians of tomorrow,” he said.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
