TITLE: appa and other animals

My dad has been a longtime inspiration for my work. He is a literary critic and has authored more than 40 books in Tamil. He has been unwell and fighting with the difficulties that come with old age, refusing to go gentle into that good night. In the neighborhood, horses and mules parade, surviving on grass and garbage. Stray dogs wander. The night passes by.

I wanted to capture that period of time. It was a reflection of my childhood and the process of me becoming the father of the man.

Shot on BW 35 film. Push Processed.

AUTHOR: Madhavan Palanisamy (India)

Photography helps me interpret the strange beauty that surrounds us. It helps me lift the veil of what can be seen with the naked eye, to reveal something profound or playful, or both. It encourages me to ask the questions: who are we, where do we come from, why are we here, how are we connected?

My practice also brings together various things I love: writing, drawing, photographs and moving images.

I am a self-taught photographer and filmmaker. I studied biochemistry, management, worked in advertising before I look a leap of faith to become an artist. I feel i am in partnership with the universe and i am here to tell stories rooted in beauty, humanity, and joy.

I live in chennai, india.