A story of a girl, a photograph and a photographer
Long
years ago I was associated with an organization called ‘The National
Movement Against Terrorism’ (NMAT). This was at a time when those who
called for a military offensive to rid the country of the terrorist
menace were called racists, chauvinists, bigots, warmongers and other
such derogatory names. It was also a time when dollar-hungry, Eelam-touting,
LTTE-loving academics, NGO racketeers, human rights activists who did
not see victims of LTTE terrorism as ‘humans’, LTTE proxies masquerading
as journalists and other such creatures had the ear of the highest in
the land. It was, indeed, a time when the highest in the land were
pathetically compromising themselves and the nation to the whims and
fancies of the nation’s detractors.
The NMAT’s effectiveness was such that people like Paikiasothy
Saravanamuttu publicly stated that it was dangerous because ‘among its
membership are prominent academics, professionals, politicians and
Buddhist monks’, when in fact there were just two professionals (a
doctor and a lawyer) and one academic (the academic was also a qualified
lawyer), but no politicians or ‘Buddhist monks’ and none who could be
called ‘prominent’.
Dhanushi Nayanika, nine years, weeps at the coffin of her
father, Thilak Dhammika, in Kalyanipura village, outskirts of
Walikanda, May 31, 2006. |
Pro-LTTE elements
The NMAT, at the time, did what they could. We solicited small
contributions from like-minded people, put up posters and held
demonstrations. The NMAT also put together several publications that
countered the malicious, misinformation campaign of pro-LTTE elements.
These included ‘The LTTE: Terrorism Unlimited’ (a photo essay), ‘BULL’
(an assessment of claims such as the LTTE being the sole-representatives
of the Tamil people, is engaged in a liberation struggle and was
invincible), ‘Portraits of terrorism’ (a pictorial record of the LTTE’s
crimes against humanity in Sinhala, Tamil and English), and ‘Some tears
are not newsworthy’ (a critical essay on the pro-LTTE slant of some
sections of the media).
The NMAT didn’t have bucks. The NMAT had the arguments, though. The
NMAT could substantiate argument.
These were what differentiated the NMAT from those who were hell bent
of giving legitimacy to the LTTE and according to it parity of status
vis-a-vis the government of Sri Lanka.
Little girl
Most important was the fact that the NMAT could call upon people who
had integrity and skill ready to help in whatever way possible. They
provided time, ideas and material free of charge. Some wrote, some
translated, some provided photographs, some gave information, some were
layout artists, some had motorbicycles and some ran errands. Payment,
for all of them, was the privilege of contributing.
I remembered one of the principal contributors yesterday as I was
wading through photographs from those terrible times we’ve left far
behind (to the chagrin, I may add, of those who preferred a different
outcome and who, even as I write, spare no pains to turn back the
clock). I remembered the photograph used on the cover of ‘Some tears are
not newsworthy’.
It had been taken immediately after the LTTE attacked a village in
Welikanda, killing 12 villagers. The photograph was of a little girl,
around 10 years old. Her father had been killed in the attack.
The entire story was in her tear filled eyes. One tear had escaped
and marked the path of sorrow and loss down her left cheek. Another was
balance on eyelash.
The photograph went around the world. The graphic designer,
Amarajeewa, a gentleman and one of the most talented artists of his
generation, played with the image. He turned it into a black-white
picture and cropped it so that only the eyes were shown. To me, it was a
classic. Both photograph and the play on photograph.
That photograph has been used many times by those who wished to tell
the world the story that the LTTE and its apologists were silent about.
It spoke of tragedy, loss, meaninglessness and also about the heart (or
lack thereof) of the tear-giver. Few mention the photographer.
Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi worked for Reuters at the time. One of the
most skilled photo journalists this country has produced, Anuruddha
possessed an eye that could extract the ‘human’ in the things he
surveyed through lens and mind. For reasons that are still not clear,
though, some people claiming they were from the Criminal Investigation
Division (CID), entered his house on December 11, 2007, interrogated and
intimidated his wife. That was unwarranted harassment and to date the
perpetrators of that dastardly act have not been brought to book.
I am aware that Anuruddha’s photographs are used without
acknowledgment by those who for reasons best known to them have pinned
the ‘traitor’ label on him. I needed to use that particular image, so I
wrote to him. He replied promptly. I quote, without editing:
‘I am appreciate your request because at least you have ethics more
then others who was used my picture without my knowledge as when I
inquire it they called my traitor. Our life still pay back for this
pictures but I am not expecting money for it. This images no more
belongs to me, its belongs to our country. These images show us part of
our undeleted history. I believe at least you keep small space your book
for mention to who was captured this images. Good luck!’
War against terrorism
Some might call this patriotism, but it is not. It goes beyond
patriotism. There is understanding of reality and there is compassion,
humility, generosity and equanimity here. This, perhaps, is what gives
depth to the two-dimensional thing that he produces with a click. It is
what paints humanity into the three-dimensional story that he captures,
I am convinced.
Anuruddha was not a member of the NMAT. He may or may not have shared
the preferred political outcomes of the NMAT. He may have not thought
that he was doing a lot, but he did.
This country has survived two insurrections, a debilitating war
against terrorism, horrendous constitutional enactments, lived through
multiple crises, suffered the arrogance and ignorance of rulers,
weathered the machinations of forces intent on destabilizing, and
consistently fought above its weight. It must have something to do with
what kind of civilizational drives and philosophical preferences brought
us to where we are, I believe. I believe also that we have survived and
will continue to defy all odds for these same reasons. And I believe
that such things manifest themselves and become relevant in the hearts
and minds of exceptional individuals who enhance several fold the worth
of the talents they are born with or the skills they acquire.
Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi contributed and will, I am sure, continue
to contribute. Just by being who he is. Affiliated only to
professionalism and empowered by a deep sense of humanity.
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