GUJ photojournalists shine at prestigious Kala Ghoda Festival

Three Goan photojournalists representing the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) are among list of 20 selected photojournalists from the country who got to display their work at the iconic Jehangir Art Gallery as part of internationally acclaimed 'Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai 2020' on Sunday.
GUJ photojournalists shine at prestigious Kala Ghoda Festival
GUJ photojournalists shine at prestigious Kala Ghoda Festival

PANAJI: Three Goan photojournalists representing the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) are among list of 20 selected photojournalists from the country who got to display their work at the iconic Jehangir Art Gallery as part of internationally acclaimed 'Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai 2020' on Sunday.

GUJ president and Special Photographer (The Times of India-Goa) Rajtilak Naik, Principal Photographer (Gomantak Times) Atish Naik and photographer (The Navhind Times) Hemant Parab displayed their work on social issues along with other noted photojournalists from across the country at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai.

'20 PHOTOGRAPHERS 20 STORIES', at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF 2020) demanded a long term research study project on any social issue affecting the society at large. Rajtilak Naik's work 'Atithi Devo Bhava' focussed on the dark side of tourism in Goa. Atish Naik's work 'Unprivileged' highlighted the lack of basic amenities in tribal areas of Goa villages, especially inside wildlife sanctuaries. Hemant Parab's work 'Graphite Life', talked about the graphite dust pollution in Amona village.

Reacting to this unique achievement, Rajtilak Naik said, “My photos highlighted risk posed to safety of female tourists, especially foreigners. There are growing cases of stalking, leading to molestation and rapes.”

According to him, participating in the KGAF 2020 is a prestigious honour but one feels really satisfied when you share space with some of the best photojournalists in the country.

“This is a huge boost to Goan photojournalism. Photojournalists in Goa should not limit their work to mere press conferences and events, instead they should move away from the predictable coverage and think out of the box by focusing on issues concerning the society,” he said.

Photojournalist Hemant Parab’s photographs were of the theme 'Graphite Life', highlighting the graphite dust pollution in Amona village.

“It’s a really proud moment for me as my work got selected for the India's biggest art festival KGAF 2020. I heard about this festival and specially Jehangir Art Gallery when I was pursuing graduation in Fine Arts. I never thought my work will be displayed here at the festival because the selection process is very stringent as the number of participants is huge,” Parab said.

Getting selected for the KGAF will definitely going to help me in building my profession in a positive way in future and will inspire other young photojournalist like me in the State, he added.

Atish Naik of GT said this was most prestigious moments for him as it allowed him to share space with acclaimed photojournalists like former chief photographer of Press Trust of India (PTI) Shirish Shete and others from all over the country.

“This is the result of my hard work. I used to think that no one follows my work outside Goa. But I was mistaken. People are watching and admiring my work,” he said, adding that his work exposed the life of Goans in State’s remote areas which get buried under the glitz of tourism.

“My photos highlighted risk posed to safety of female tourists, especially foreigners.” – Rajtilak Naik

“It’s a really proud moment as my work got selected for India's biggest art festival.” – Hemant Parab

“People outside Goa are also following and admiring my work, which 

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