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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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
